JAPAN AND RUSSIA

Southland Times, Issue 19276, 21 June 1924, Page 5

JAPAN AND RUSSIA

REPORTED SECRET TREATY FOREIGN MINISTER’S DENIAL NEGOTIATIONS AT A STANDSTILL. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) NEW YORK, June 19. (Received June 20, 11.30 p.m.) The Tokio correspondent of the New York Times interviewed the Foreign Minister, Baron Shidehara, who categorically denied the report that a secret treaty exists between Japan and Russia by which Japan would supply heavy artillery and warships to Russia in exchange for oil concessions in Saghalien. Baron Shidehara stated that such rumours were utterly without foundation and 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 Baron Koshizawa, Japanese Minister at Pekin and M. Karakhan, Soviet Envoy, have revolved particularly round this point, and are now at a standstill, while Baron Koshizawa is en route to Tokio to inform the new Government of the state of the negotiations. The correspondent learns that Baron Koshizawa will ask the Government to moderate its demands in view of Japan’s need of fuel and Russia’s determination not to grant concessions without provisions for self protection.