Washington Conference.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 January 1922, Page 2

Washington Conference.

(From the'Special Representative of the Australian Press Association.) JAPAN’S* PROTEST. TOKIO, Jan. 8 „ The Foreign Office has issued a states nient which brands as “a malignant international crime,” China’s allegations regarding Japan-French-Siberian negotiations. The statement.-"covers Japan’s action and position towards Siberia which is claimed to be absolutely correct, following the repeated declaration of non interference in domestic questions, with the hope for speedy restoration of order, enabling Japan to withdraw troops. .The statement adds—“lt is perplexing beyond comprehension that despite this, there should be Russians who, whenever factionally discomforted, insinuatingly blame the Japanese attitude. Some are recklessly making u&'e of mysterious propaganda on the strength of nothing except pure fabrication.” The statement denies absolutely that Julian has any desire for Siberia, except to police certain coast sections until the Russians themselves restore order.

FAR EAST .REPUBLIC. WASHINGTON, January 8. Another Far Eastern Republic has appeared on the scene in Washington. A delegation from Priamur Government at Yladivostock has arrived, and oori'temjs the attempt to settle the question without consideration of theif opinion will never reach a satisfactory conclusion. The Priamur Government controls the lower Amur Valley, littoral of Eastern Siberia, and northern half of Sakhalin. They are anti-Bol-sheviks, and anti-Japanese saying the latter’s occupation of Sakahlin mainland is entirely unjustified. The delegation do not ask for recognition of the Government, but demand the Japanese evacuatio of the country and the return of all arms supplies and funds unlawfully seized, and the withdrawal of troops and officials. They assert Japan is establishing a naval base in Amur estuary, regulating the entire- population in the occupied region which will'soon cease to be Russian. As the result of the strengthening of Japan, the impression is growing here that either the Chinese Government is taking Shantung matter out of the hands of the delegates and is settling with Tekio direct, or the delegates bv their action to-day, are preparing the way for the acceptance of the Japanese offer on the grounds that they are advised to do so by Mr Hug es and Mr Balfour. It is known that further instructions reached here yesterday fom Pekin. Probably consideration of the aircraft proposals will be allowed to go oyer to another conference, though Schauze wants on behalf of Italy a resolution condemning t-lie bombardment of open towns fjrom the air. It is understood Mr Balfour announeed at the conference that the powers of the British Delegations do not permit them to engage in questions of revising inernational law, which therefore is likely to be referred to a commission of jurists.