Evening star., 1925-07-26
by RoBT. UNDERWOOD JOHNSON.
Former American Ambassador to Italy.


VAPAN, one of the first of the ma
tions to decline to recognize the
Soviet government-and In 1871
~ apparently one of the most de-
termined in this regards the
last to become disillusioned in the
credulous attempts to sup with the
Prince of Darkness. Great Britain
Germany, Italy and France have all
seen the folly. in international rela-
tions, of giving something for moth
ing, and throwing in for good measure
n better opportunity for the bolshe-
visits to Torment revolution within their
respective borders. The later. recog'
milton of Moscow by Toxic has evi
IDENTIFY produced a similar result, be
sides affording the Soviets conven'
lent vaulting- board for a second leap
into China, which had preceded Japan
in this futile policy.
Treaty for Concession.
1t will be recalled that at the close
of the Russo-Japanese War, by the
Treaty Of Portsmouth, the southern
half of the Island of Saghalien was
transferred to Japan, the northern
half being left to Russia. The Jap
anese have always had an exaggerated
idea of the value of this territory and
at one time sounded out the various
governments as to their attitude TO-
ward the occupation of 1t as indemnity
for the slaughter of japanese by
Soviet troops in Western Siberia. Ap-
parently they received little or no en-
couragement for such a policy, for
they made no such move. But In
March of 1925 the same ambition ap-
parently was realized through the
treaty with Moscow, by which Rus-
sia, while nominally retaining soy,
ereignty over the northern half or
the island, granted to her neighbor
the coveted right to exploit its re-
sources, which consist largely of oil.
lit is worth remarking, by the way,
that the effect of oil on troubled wa
ters is anything but tranquilizing If
the waters be those of international
politics..
One Bubble Bursts.
The quid pro quo of the treaty was
the recognition of the Soviets, mere
form, which seemed so little to give
for so muchl But soon same the re-
port that the oil bubble had burst.
that the exploration of the fields was
most disappointing, only one in three
of the borings having been successful.
Evidently the mastery of the oil trade
of the world is not yet in the hands
of Japan Probably the willy Soviets
knew what they had to offer. as they
did in a similar bargain for recogni-
tion by Italy. which has not yet for
gotten the dirt-padded nature Of the
much heralded first wheat cargo that
came from Russia after the admit
tance to Rome of the Soviet CONNER
cial representative, Vorovsky.
So far, the Soviets, who seemed
such good bargainers, have greatly
overreached themselves. They have
only succeeded in producing reactions
against their intriguing duplicity. But
they are still at it. Processing to be
encouraged by the retirement Of Sec
retary Hughes and by the succession
of Senator Borah to the craftsmanship
of the Senate committee on foreign
relations, they are trying, by all the
arts of suggestion. to create in this
country an atmosphere of friendship
for them, which they hope will result
in the recognition which they covet.
That they will get any help or sym
pathy from the new Secretary of State
Is unbelievable.
Copyright. 1e25.)