SOVIET CONCESSIONS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 60, 4 December 1920, Page 9

SOVIET CONCESSIONS

AMERICAN SYNDICATE'S EXPLOITATIONS

PROTESTS FROM JAPAN

By Teleiraph—Presi Aenoclation—Copyright

(Rec. December 3, 9,15 p.m.)

Washinflton, 1.-fcember .1 Official Japanese quarters declare that Japan's objections to Ilia Soviot Government's territorial concessions which were reported to have been granted to an Amorican syndicate, are lnsed on tho Treaty with Japan made with tie-old Russian Government, under which Japan was allowed to exploit valuable fisheries on the North Siberian and Kamchatka coasts. It is held that tho concessions would bar Japan from tho fisheries. It is also possible ti.at Japan will claim that the concessions' would violate Japan's Far Eastern position, as outlined in the Root-Takahira' and Lans-ing-Ishii agreements with tho United States.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

fMr. J. C. A. lv. Martens, the selfstyled Soviet Ambassador, announced in' Now York a few weeks ago that he liad received a cablegram 'from M. Tcliitcherin (Foreign Minister) stating that a syndicate composed of Americans. lind obtained a. concession of • 400,000 snuaro miles in Siberia for exploitation of oil, coal, and fisheries, and that negotiations were proceeding with the syndicate to become the Soviet's fiscal agents in America, financing - purchases 'up to 500,000,000 dollars. A later message from Washington reported that Mr. Colby (Secretary of State) had announced, that the American representative at Riga had cabled that lie had,learned that Americans were negotiating with the Soviet concerning a concession, --.;nd, bad discussed with Lenin the question of recognition by America in the e\ent of Senator Harding being elected. Speaking at Marion, Senator Harding denipd any knowledge coneerninii Hie Biissiah concessions or recognition of the-' Soviet by Washington. Official circles at Washington were stirred by He reports. Of the concession in Russia., It was pointed out that.the Government bad valued Americans that any b-.-,s.iness, reirtious, or undertaking!; willi the Soviet vould not be recognised proreeted-l