JAPAN’S POLICY.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 May 1921, Page 5

JAPAN’S POLICY.

FRIENDLY WITH CHINA. C 'ASIA FOR THE ASIATICS.” SOLVING SIBERIAN PROBLEM. By Telegraph.—Preus Assn.—Copyright. Tokio, May 21. As the result of protracted conferences, which the colonial administrators and the commanders of the armies in Siberia, Shantung, and Korea had with the Cabinet, it has been practically decided that, provided the Siberians agree to pledge security, law, order, and the safety of Japanese economic ventures in Siberia, to withdraw Japanese troops from Siberia, excepting from the Island of Saghalien, where they will remain pending a settlement of matters relating to the massacre of the Japanese garrison and Consul at Nikolaievsk.

Secondly, to secure an agreement with China by which police and Consular rights in Manchuria will be extended for the supervision of mal-content Koreans along the border, Japan to furnish financial assistance to all lew-abiding Koreans in Manchuria; thirdly, to withdraw all Japanese troops from Shantung, except one regiment at Tsingtao, 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 the Chinese eastern railway seven million yen for the purpose of rescuing the railway from its present financial difficulties. All the decisions are subject to further Cabinet consideration, and approval before being acted upon. It is reported that Trotsky is coming to Siberia to take charge of the negotiations with Japan and China regarding the operations of the Red armies, which continue their movement towards the Pacific coast.

The correspondent adds that it is generally believed 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 an isolated Power, and faced with the necessity of making friends with the Chinese and Siberian neighbours, hence the various plans for the withdrawal of troops. It is considered in some well-informed quarters that British and French backing of the American claims over Yap will result in Japan abandoning further attempts* to hold any white allies and turning to the doctrine of “Asia for the Asiatics” and the combination of the Orientals.—Reuter