Evening star., 1922-01-25
j. S REMAINS FIRM
IN SIBERIAN STAND
Mr.. Hughes Tells Parley Posi-
ton on Troop Withdrawal
I Unchanged.

Tho United States, Secretary Hughes
the minutes Of the Washington con-
ference yesterday. has not changed
disposition with regard to the with
drawal Of foreign troops from ST.
beria- In reviewing the Japanese
statement that it was Japan's inten-
from Siberia, Secretary Hughes ex-
pressed satisfaction that such was
their intention. At his suggestion a
resolution was adopted providing
that the statements OF both the Jap
anese and the United States with re-
gard to Siberia should be spread upon
the minutes Of the Washington con-
ference y
The American statement on Siberia
was read by Secretary Hughes. At the
outset he referred to the Japanese
declaration of intention presented
Monday and continued:
These assurances are taken to
mean that Japan does not seek,
through her military operation in
Siberia. to impair the rights of the
Russian people in any respect. or to
obtain any unfair commercial adj
vantaGeS. or to absorb for her own
up an exclusive exploitation, either
of the resources of Sakhalin or Of
the maritime province.
L. s. Troops Withdrawn.
"The United States of America
withdrew its troops from Siberia in
the spring of 1920. because it con-
sidered that the original purposes of
complished. or would no longer be
SubServed by continued military ac-
tivity in Siberia The American gov
ernment remained, however, close
observer of events in eastern Siberia
and has had an extended diplomatic
correspondence upon this subject
with the government of-Japan.
1T must be frankly avowed that
this correspondence has not always
disclosed an identity of views. The
United States has not been unmind-
full of the direct exposure of Japan
to bolsheviSm In Siberia and the spe-
cial problems which the conditions
existing there have created for the
Japanese governments. but 1t has
been strongly disposed to the belief
that the public assurances given by
the two governments at the incep-
tion of the joint expedition neverthe-
less required the complete with
drawal' of Japanese troops from all
Russian territory-if not Immediate
ly after the departure of the Czecho-
sonable time.
The general position of the Amer
lean government was set forth In
communication to Japan of May 81.
1921. In that communication appears
the following statement:
The government of the United
States would be untrue to the spirit
Of cooperation which led it. in the
summer of 1918. upon an understand
ing with the government of Japan TO
.
elected to point out that in it's view
continued occupation of the strategic
centers in eastern Siberia
tends rather to increase than to allay
the unrest and disorder in that re-
Eion.
Ali of the delegations except the
French assented to the resolution
without commenting on it, but Albert
Sarraut. head of the French pleni-
potentiaries, said in recording MS
affirmative vote that both the Rus
sian and Japanese peoples had
Frances full friendship and trust
Submit Treaty Summary.
The Chinese then submitted a sum-
mary of the secret Russo-Chinese
treaty of 1896. at the same time CIV
ing assurances that the full text
would be communicated later.
There was no discussion of the
treaty. and Immediately after it had
been read Arthur .. BAlfour, mead Oh
the British. proposed his resolution
to prohibit Importation of arms into
China. He called attention that many
troops now are enrolled in China un-
der leaders whose authority is un-
recognized by the central government.
and said that 10 permit arms to go
into Chinese territory under those
conditions seemed "a very cruel kind
ness"
Minister SEE. speaking for China.
pointed out that the Chinese govern
ment already has i prohibition
against importation Of arms except
under license. and asked Mr.. Balfour
whether the resolution had any other
aim than to help China in that policy.
Mr.. Balfour replied that such was
the purpose of his proposal.
From the Italian, Senator Schanzer
approved the resolution in substance.
but said he must consult his govern
ment before finally accepting it.
Jonkheer Van Blokland followed with
a similar statement on the part of
the Netherlands. Senator Lodge OBJ
served that the attitude of the Amer
lean government was well defined by,
an act of Congress just passed author
iZing an embargo on arms to China.