JAPAN.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 December 1919, Page 5

JAPAN.

POSITION IN SIBERIA. NO ALLIANCE WITH GERMANY. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Dec. 29, 9.30 p.m. m .New York, Dee. 29. Ihe Chicago Tribune's Tokio correspondent interviewed M. Hara (the Premier), who said that Japan would not take a single foot of Siberian territory, and the moment the Bolshevik menace was dispelled she would withdraw every solt" 1 give word that the rumors that. Japan is. secretly negotiating an alliance with Germany and Russia are wholly unfounded."

M. Hara added: "Japan absolutely pledges herself to give up all Chinese territory and withdraw all troops from Shantung, and retain only commercial concessions. .As aoon as Peacß ia signed Japan is -willing to enter into a financial consortium with China, but must insist on the recognition of Japan's special interests in Manchuria. Japan has not a thought of acquiring territory or special concessions of any kind in Mexico"— Aus.-NX Cable Assn.

TROOPS FOs SIBERIA.

JAPAN TO MAINTAIN PEACE. New York, Dec. 27. It is believed Japan will send an additional contingent of troops to Siberia (shortly after January I unless the United States objects. It is regarded as certain that the United States will not augment its troops fa Siberia. ° Koltchak's defeat brings up the questions of priority and authority over the trans-Siberia railways, which heretofore has been held conjointly by Japan and the United States on the condition that it will revert to Russia as soon as a stable government is established. Advices from Tokio indicate that pub' lie opinion is divided regarding the advisability of dispatching additional Japancse troops to Siberia. It is understood the Minister, of War, General Tanaka, is convinced that, if necessary, Japan singlehanded must maintain peate in Siberia, otherwise Japan's interests will be jeopardised.

Opponents of this policy point out that the Allies have already declared their intention not to interfere in the internal affairs of Russia, and Japan should adopt the same position.