JAPAN'S SIBERIAN POLICY

Evening Post, Volume CI, Issue 16, 19 January 1921, Page 7

JAPAN'S SIBERIAN POLICY

QUESTION OPENED BY LANGDON INCIDENT

IMPRESSIONS IN TOKIO.

(UNITED PR2SS ASSOCIATION.— COP7MGBT.)

(AUSTRALIAN • NSW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.) TOKIO, 17th January.

The Government has not yet published the text of the American Note protesting against the shooting- of Lieutenant Langdon. The belief is expressed that Washington has nob oniy asked for reparation, with guarantees removing the probability of similar incidents in the future, but has again pointed out to Japan tho wisdom of reducing the forces, if not entirely withdrawing them from Siberia, where she possesses no sovereign rights/

A division of opinion exists in Government circles concerning the Siberian problem. Leaders of the military party insist that Japanese, troops should remain, while the peace party'is seeking means of abandoning tho venture, -which it is declared is ruinously expensive and without' hope of compensation.

(Received January 19, 9.30 a.m.)

TOKIO. 18th January. The impression exists that Japan will insist on solving the Siberian question in her own way and in her own time, if for no other reason than to assert the doctrine that she is paramount in the Far East. The Hara Cabinet appears.to retain its strength, and it is believed .that it will survive the coming session of the Diet, at which Japanese-American relations will be discussed;

Diplomatic circles believe that Japa-nese-American affairs do not warrant the easiness which prevails on the borders of the Japanese Empire. The efforts of Miv Shidehara and Mr. Morris (the two Ambassadors) have profoundly impressed the Japanese with the fairness of the United States. The. killing of Lisut. Langdon is therefore genuinely regretted, because it is believed that it will open the entire Siberian question, with respect to which the United States has sent several prbtests.