JAPANESE INSISTENCE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXVI, Issue 17535, 31 March 1919, Page 2

JAPANESE INSISTENCE.

PARIS, March 27. Mr Murdoch writes regarding Japan's efforts to secure modifications of t!he (covenant dealing with irackl equality, and says the document was specially brought to Mr Hughes aad other Dominion represen atives, bul> not uiiitil the agreement had b-*»m reached concerning the Pacific mandates. Ihis agrement was remarkaoJy, aimosb inexpiic*tl>iy, in favour of Japau, xur,. despite the «JouQci|i of Ten's mtention to restrict the special clause mandate to bouth-West Africa, Ne v Guinea, and Samoa, the agreement provided that Japan should iiave the same mandate north or the Equator vis Australasia in the south. The Japaaese a«ked Mr Hughes to say what modifications would please him, out he and Sir Joseph Cook rejected toe whole praposal. The Australian attitude remains completely hostile to any insertion of the tatial question in the, covenant. It is regardel as a smo.<e screen, behind whicli preiaJfatioTnis *or raising other questions may proceed. PARIS, March 28.

The Japanese continue to press the amendment to the Leagu" of Nations for the equality of races. The Japanese original proposal lies been modified, and now calls for the recognition of the equality of nations and just treatment of all their nationals. The Australians still object.