CHINA, JAPAN, AND KOREA.

Otago Witness, Issue 3415, 29 August 1919, Page 15

CHINA, JAPAN, AND KOREA.

(By Cable.) WASHINGTON, August 19. The text of Viscount Kato's recent speech has been received here. Viscount Kato states that Japan "will maintain her special position in China by every means in her power, but will not object to other countries developing their interests in China within proper limits. August .23. - The Senate's Foreign Relations Committee has.adopted a resolution favouring an amending peace treaty to provide for the return of Shantung to China immediately. Professor E. T. Williams (technical adviser to the American Peace Delegation), in giving" evidence before the Senate Committee urged the restoration of Shantung to China at any cost, as China had entered the war upon America's advice. His personal opinion was that giving way to Japan meant a loss of prestige to the United States. He did not doubt that Japan would carry out her promises, but Tsing-Tao would still continue a Japanese possession. A bitter struggle is expected to develop on the floor of the House regarding Shantung. The Republicans expect to carry the Foreign Committee's amendment substituting China for Japan. NEW YORK, August 23. The New York Times Peking correspondent states that it is reported that the Japanese Minister appeared at the Chinese Foreign Office and announced that Japan was prepared to return Kiau Chau to China within two years. In return Japan would expect compensation elsewhere. The correspondent adds that this means that Japan wants privileges in Manchuria or Mongolia. WASHINGTON, August 18. ,Mr Thomas Millard, an American writer attached to the Chinese Peace Delegation, expressed the opinion to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which is hearing evidence in connection with the Shantung Treaty, that according to the unanimous view of American diplomats at Paris the settlement would sooner or later result in war in the Far East. TOKIO, August 19. Baron Ishii, interviewed, said there was no collision of views between Japan and the United States. American interests were chiefly in Latin-American and European markets. The United States' safety in the Far East depended upon her developing China industrially and commercially hand in hand with Japan and other Powers through the open-door policy. Baron Ishii approved of the American proposal for a consortium of the Powers to enable the financial rehabilitation of China to be brought about. August 20. Obituary: Count Taisuke Itagaki, popularly known as the father of Japanese democracy. He founded the Liberal Party in 1881, and was stabbed the same year by a young reactionary. He travelled through Europe, and America in 1882, and was created a count in 1887. He retired from politics in 1900. August 21. The Navy Department's new programme includes two battle-cruisers, three light cruisers, five first-class and five second-class destroyers, several submarines, a number of gunboats suitable for the China station. The battle-cruisers will be of 40,000 tons, and will embody the latest British improvements. The programme will be completed in 1923, when the fleet will include eight modern Dreadnoughts and six battlecruisers. August 22. Rising prices and scarcity of houses are causing widespread discontent, especially in the middle classes. Serious outbreak: are feared. The police dispelled mass meetings of teachers in several towns which were protesting against their inadequate salaries. The newly-formed Salaried Men's Union at Tokio demands that profits, exclusive of bank interest on capital, shall be equally divided between employers and the workers. The newspapers warn the Government to make preparation for the advent'of Socialism, due to the enormous increase in the cost of rice and cotton cloth. WASHINGTON, August 20. The Japanese Embassy has issued a statement by Premier Hara announcing the abolition of the military administration of Korea and the establishment of

civil rule. Mr Hara said the aim of the Japanese Government was to treat Koi'ea as an integral part of the Empire, thus granting Koreans the same political and social rights as the Japanese. The statement adds: The Japanese officers responsible for the recent troubles in Korea will be court-martialled. Baron Saito has been appointed Gover« nor-general and General Midzuno Directorgeneral of the new Korean Administration, which will speedily introduce the samd system of provincial and municipal govern-* ment as exists in Japan. August 23. There is widespread discontent in Korea owing to the severity of Japanese rule. The people strongly resent Japan's efforfl at complete assimilation. The Korean language will cease to be taught in tho schools in 1920. August 28. Dr Rhee, Provisional President of Korea, says that Japan's promised reforms of Japan's administration are insincere. The Koreans want only their independence. NEW" YORK, August 25. A despatch from Tokio reports that the Imperial Cabinet has decided to insist upon the exclusion of Manchuria and Mongolia from the consortium by which Great Britain, the United States, and France assume the direction of Chinese finances. The newspaper Asalii Shimbum states that it is reported that Baron Uchida advocates Japanese participation in the consortium, and believes that the exclusion of Manchuria and Mongolia would cast the Allies' disfavour on Japan. It is understood that several members of the Advisory Council criticised the Foreign Office's decision to abandon exclusive J settlements at Shantung.