JAPAN

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 21 June 1924, Page 5

JAPAN

*—: REPLY TO EXCLUSION PROTEST. TOKIO OFFICIALS SILENT. BLOW TO AMERICAN PRESTIGE. RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA. a* cable—press association—copyright NEW YORK. June 19. The Tokio correspondent of the Even_ ing Post says that officials are not pre. pared to comment on the American reply to the Japanese exclusion protest, but reliable sources reveal that it will neither augment the anti-American movement nor change Cabinet’s policy, nor erase private resentments 'at the discrimination. However, indications of graver consequences multiply. These are only surface evidences, but all confirm the outstanding fact that America’s influence in the Orient has weakened. Observers point out that friendly relations are perhaps academically unimpaired, but the former quasi entente cordial© has been replaced by a polite tension, which impels Japan to consider adopting another friend. Already she has shown her readiness to meet France half way, while Moscow, seizing the is offering Japan such concessions as will assure the recognition of a treaty.

Chinese students have persuaded numbers of Japanese to join the PanAsiatic movement, thereby strengthening the anti-foreign movement. This apparently furnishes a common ground upon which former enemies may meet.

The latest result is that Dr. Sun Yat Sen, who, on behalf of South China’s anti-foreign movement, is sending an emissary to Tokio, who will be received with honour. Evidently Japan will retain American trade, but has almost done with American principles and policies.The Tokio correspondent of the New York Times interviewed the Foreign Minister (Mr. Shidehara), who categorically denied the Paris report that a secret treaty exists between Japan and Russia, whereby Japan would supply heavy artillery and warships to Russia in exchange for oil concessions at Saghalien Island. Mr. Shidehara stated that such rumours were utterly without foundation. He also denied that Japan was backing the Russo-Chinese Treaty. The Foreign Office pointed out that Japan and Russia had reached no agreement. It. is known, however that Japan expects ,to obtain oil, coal, and timber concessions in northern Saghalien, and compensation for the massacre at Nikolaievsk. Negotiations between Mr. Koshizawa (Japanese Minister at Pekin) and M. Karakhan (the Soviet envoy) have revolved particularly around this point and are now at a standstill, while Mr. Koshizawa is ©n route to Tokio to inform the new Government of the status of the negotiations. The correspondent learns that Mr Koshizawa will ask the Government to moderate its demands, in view of Japan’s need of fuel and Russia’s determination to grant no concessions without self-protection provisos.