Australia.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 30, 6 February 1915, Page 5

Australia.

THE DISPOSITION OF TSING-TAO.

United Press Association. Sydney, February 5

Several more Japanese businessmen have arrived with a view to promoting trade with Australia. The Herald’s Tokio correspondent says that Baron Kate, replying to a question in the Diet, as to whether Japan was committed to restitution Ising-Tao to China, gave an emphatic negative. He declared that when the ultimatum to Germany was issued, the sole object was to take Tsing-Tao from Germany to insure peace for the East. Restitution after the campaign was not thought of or referred to in the document. The question had been taken up by the authorities on international law,' who held that the proposal to restore K aia.Chou was made to Germany conditional on it being handed over without force or compensation, but these conditions lost their validity when Japan was obliged to declare wai. Germany insists that they restore Kaia-Chou now, which would render Japan’s sacrifice of men and money of no effect, since China might concede it again to Germany or any other third party, whereas Japan was determined never again to come under the jurisdiction of a third Power. Thus, lie claimed, the ultimate disposition of Tsing-Tao would be a matter solely between China and Japan. GENERAL. Melbourne, February 5. The War Office has accepted the Commonwealth’s offer to despatch a. further 10,000 troops in April, in addition to monthly reinforcements. The Customs Department has withdrawn the permission to export merino wool to America.