JAPAN’S CUNNING REPRISALS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 21 June 1924, Page 9

JAPAN’S CUNNING REPRISALS.

Seeking New, Friends.

OVERTURES TO CHINA AND RUSSIA. By C3ble—Press Association—Copyright. .(Received 9.40 p.m., June 20.) NEW YORK, June 19. The Tokio correspondent of tk« “Evening Post’’ says the officials are not prepared to comment on the American reply to Japan’s exclusion protest, but reliable sources reveal that it will neither augment the antiAmerican movement, nor change Cabinet’s policy, nor erase private resentments at discrimination. However, indications of graver consequences multiply. These are only surface evidences, but all confirm the outstanding fact that America’s in fluence in the Orient has weakened. Observers point out that friendly relations are perhaps academically unimpaired, but the former quasi-Ententa cordiale has been replaced by polite tension, which impels Japan to consider adopting another friend. Already she has shown readiness to meet France half way, while Moscow is seizing the opportunity and is offering Japan such concessions as will assure recognition of the 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 whereon the former enemies may meet. The latest recruit is Sun Yat Sen, who, on behalf of South China’s antiforeign 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.

DENIALS FROM JAPAN. SIGNIFICANT NEGOTIATION PROCEEDING. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. (Received 9.30 p.m., June 20.) NEW YORK, June 19. The Tokio correspondent of the New York “Times” interviewed the Foreign Minister (Baron 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 in Saghalien.

Baron 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 liad readied 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 M. Koshizawa (Japanese Minister at Pekin) and M. Karakhan (Soviet Envoy) have revolved round particularly this point, and are now at a standstill while M. Koshizawa is en route to Tokio to inform the new Government as to the status of the negotiations. The correspondent learns that M. Koshizawa will ask the Government to moderate 'its demands in view-of Japan’s need of fuel, and Russia’s determination to grant concessions without self-protection provisos.