BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 23 May 1921, Page 2

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS

ASIATIC QUESTIONS

JAPAN AND CHINA A GREK

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION

v REUTER’S telegrams-

(Received This Day at 9.45 a.m.) TOKIO, May 21

As a result of protracted conferences which colonial administrators and commanders of armies in Siberia-, Shantung Korea had with Cabinet, it has been practically decided that provided Sborians agree to pledge the security of law and order and. safety of Japanese economic ventures in Siberia, to, withdraw Japanese troops from Siberia, excepting tbe Island of Saghaliett where, they will remain pending a settlement of the matter relating to the massacre jf the Japanese garrison and Consul at Nikolaievsk; secondly, to secure an agreement with China- by which police and consular rights in Manchuria be extended for supervision of malcontent Koreans along the border, Japan to furnish financial assistance to all lawabiding Koreans in Manchuria; thirdly, to withdraw all Japanese troops from Shantung, excepting one regiment at Bungtao, in order to demonstrate the good faith of Japan towards China and then to renew the offer to negotiate for the restoration of ex-German rights in the province to China; fourthly, to loan Chinese Eastern Railway seven million yen for the purpose of rescuing the railway from the present financial difficulty.

All decisions are subject to further Cabinet consideration, and approval before being acted upon. It is reported Trotsky is coming to Siberia to take charge of negotiations with Japan and China, regarding the operations of the Red armies, which continue their movements towards the Pacific coast- The correspondent adds that it is generally believed that nothing will be done until the question of Yap is definitely decided. Yap is the key to the situation. The Japanese regard themselves as practically isolated from the Powers and faced with the necessity of making friends with Chinese and Siberian neighbours'. Hence tbe various plans for withdrawal of troops. It is. considered in some well-informed quarters that the British and French backing of American claims over Yap will re suit in Japan abandoning further attempts to hold any White Allies, and turning to the doctrine of Asia for \siatics, and combinations of Orientals