The Washington times., 1922-01-05
JAPAN REFUSES
/. To TAKE TROOPS
OUT Of SIBERIA
Farley Has No Business In Dis
cussing Russ Tokyo Pact.
Is Claim.
BY WEBSTER X. NOLAN.
international News Service.

By WEBSTER X. NOLAN.
International News Service.
Japan's attitude toward any &C
ton that the arms conference might
take upon the Siberian question
was fatty outlined today by a
high official attached to the jap
anese delegation here.
Japan does not think it proper
for the conference" the official de-
clared. ito ask the powers inter.
ested to agree to withdraw their
troops from Siberia"
Wants Declaration Only.
The only action on the part Of
the conference relating to Siberian
issues that would meet with the
whole.hearted approval Of Japan's
representatives here would be the
drafting of a declaration in which
there should be set forth In the
broadcast Of terms, the attitude OF
and a common expression of inten-
ton not to usurp unauthorized power
in Siberia through the presence OF
nationals or the maintenance Of in
terests there"
The furthest that Japan Is willing
to go in the matter of withdrawing
troops from Siberia, the official
stated. would be to make a declara-
ton that Japan would recall her
forces when order shall have been
restored In the regions of Siberia
where Japan has vested or acquired
rights or where her nationals may be
residing. No other declaration would
be met favorably by Japan, the Of.
fetal said and added that 1t was his
opinion that the American dele
gates were OF a disposition to agree
to such q declaration as Japan Ii
willing to have promulgated by the
conference.
10000 Japanese Troops IN Siberia.
The status of Japan in Siberia today
was stated by the diplomat to be the
maintenance in eastern Russia Of one
complete division of the Japanese
army. about 10000 troops. These. he
said. were stationed In and near Vladi-
vostok for the most part, though some
battalions had penetrated the Amur
country for considerable distances.
The status of japan In Siberia also
includes. he said. a few concessions in
Hrimorsk and Amur and a large num-
Der OF fishery rights along the Amur
clared, has little II any interests
within the region controlled by the
Chita government. Her troops. there
fore. are stationed In Siberia mainly
for the proteetaion Of fishing interests
| along the shores Of the Sea Of Okhotsk.
There are separate regiments OF
troops stationed at various points
along the east and west coasts Of
! northern Sakhalin Island. not included
in the total of troops stationed on the
Siberian mainland. the official stated.
Says Rights Can't Be Cancelled.
These troops in Sakhalin are there
for the same purpose Of protecting
fishery rights. These rights. he de-
clared. cannot be Cancelled nor other.
wise injured by any action the con.
ference may take.
They are legitimate concessions"
the official continued, and as such
Japan is legitimately entitled to take
such measures for their protection as
she deems necessary. Japan has
leemed II necessary that troops be
stationed there for such protection
purposes. They will be withdrawn
when order is not only promised but
an accomplished fact"
AS a result of the conference now
anese and Far Eastern Republic rep
resentatives. Japan is hopeful Of
legally securing added concessions in
Siberia, within the boundaries of the
territory under the Jurisdiction Of the
Far East (Chita) government.
The Dairen conference. the official
said, would not complete its work be-
fore the end Of the Washington con.
ference, thus initiating against
any 'too-definite" resolution be.
ing adopted by the Washington con-
ference relative to the Siberian ques-
ton.
Japan will not discuss with the
powers represented in the Washing
ton conference the treaties entered
into between Japan and Russia con-
corning Siberia or that part Of Man.
churia through which the Chinese
Eastern Railway runs. on the ground
that the treaties were contracted with
a Russian government no longer In
existence, the Japanese official de-
clared. and added that II would be
outside Of the proper sphere Of the
conference to enter into discussions OF
treaties between China and Russia or
between any other powers in the Far
East.
Treaties are accomplished facts, It
Is best to stick to declarations" the
foreign office official concluded.