The New York herald., 1922-01-16
JAPAN ACCEPTS new
PACIFIC FORT Limits
Agrees Not to Fortify Bonin or
Other Islands Pointing
at Philippines.
SINGAPORE is EXCLUDED
Australia and New Zealand
Won't Be Restricted-China
to Press s21 Demands

DtSFeh'fs
New York Herald Bureau.l
Washington. ID. G.. Jan. 10.
TIE Japanese delegation received
favorable reply to-day from the Toxic
Government relative to the proposal
recently made by the American, and
British delegations for a new defini-
ton OF the region of the Pacific" and
the designation of places which are
not to be fortified under the terms OF
the naval treaty.
This arrangement omits Hawaii
from its provisions, owing to the
American idea that the island is neces-
sary to the defense of the American
homeland and TIE Panama Canal. 1t
specifically stipulates that the United
States is not TO erect Notifications at
Guam, nor is the Japanese Govern
ment to erect fortifcations on the
Bonln Islands, Formosa or any other
the general direction of the Philip
pines.
"a Toxic dispatch by the Associated
Press says the Japanese Cabinet is al
legged to have decided that as the Bonin
Islands belong to the Toxic prefecture
they constitute part Of the mainland and
therefore must be excluded from the
zone of fortification limitation. The
Nichi Nichi quotes Foreign Office au-
tbority as saying the question is not of
great Importance to Japan. as there Is
no intention to increase the fortifica-
tions. ~sssas,
This provision applies to all the
former German islands acquired by
japan as a mandate in the Pacific.
north OF the equator.
BY arrangement between the United
States and Japan the status quo will
remain in the Aleutisn Islands on tie
part Of the United States and. the
Kurile Islands on the part Of Japan.
England preserves her right to
fortify and strengthen her base at
Singapore. while Australia and New
Zealand preserve the right to fortify
certain points contiguous to their
coasts.
Acceptance Hastens Work.
The Japanese acceptance In principle
of this method OF delimiting the places
which are not susceptible of fortihcation
in the Pacific and the definition OF what
the region OF the Pacific
so far as the four Power Pacific COM
pact Is concerned, make it possible to
complete the Ave Power naval treaty
within a brief time. The new arrange
ment excludes the homeland Of japan
from the purview of the four Power
treaty.
The pressure which has been exerted
upon the Chinese and Japanese TO finish |
their deliberations concerning Shantung |
by delaying all action OH Far Eastern |
questions until Shantung Is out OF the |
way will be continued for some time in
the hope that the spotlight In which |
these two delegations will find them
selves will hasten a settlement.
In spite OF the TACT the Chinese and |
Japanese thus are placed In the position |
Of blocking the progress of the confer
ence there is nothing to indicate they |
are nearer an agreement over the ques-
tlolf OF tne SHdHtunB ttdilTodu IMAM De- 4
fore.
Chinese to Press Issue.
In the meantime the Chinese are pre- |
pairing to make the Sino-Japanese agree I
ment of 1915. the concrete result OF the |
Iwenty-one demands of Japan upon |
China. the issue for the ensuing week
The Chinese delegates say frankly |
they dare not go homo IL the treaty |
which was forced upon them by Japan |
Is not considered by the conference. |
Back of this decision is the present de- |
termination to leave the conference IL
they cannot get consideration of this |
agreement.
AS the situation lines up to-day Japan /
has the tacit support of England and OF
France In her determination to oppose |
OF the treaty by the con-
ference but II Is believed this support |
may not be continued IL the issue Is
forced.
Heretofore the Ear Eastern policy OF |
the American delegation has been large
" the work OF Elihu Root and up TO a
week ago II had seemed the American
delegation would take the view OF the 1
allied Powers In refusing TO permit
-'hina to force the twenty-one demands /
INTO the conference. Since then there
has been evidence OF a change of view,
Coutfuuod nm p.c. rvo