THE FAR EAST.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 November 1921, Page 5

THE FAR EAST.

CONCESSIONS BY JAPAN..

TREATY WITH BRITAIN- : AMERICA’S OPPOSITION. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Nov. 16, 5.5 p.m. Washington, Nov. 15. It is somewhat significant that all efforts to obtain official information regarding the prospects of the discussion on the Far Eastern questions are unavailing, and the possibility of a hitch is being discussed. It is remarked that the Far Eastern Committee commence sitting to-morrow, without any public definition of views from the United States, exactly contrary to the procedure on armament. The New York Times announces that the Japanese delegation has ready a welldefined programme regarding Far Eastern questions. Japan is willing to withdraw from Shantung. She seeks neither annexation nor a protectorate in connection with Manchuria, but insists that her special interests be based on the propinquity of large investments, railways and a well settled Japanese population. She also regards Manchuria as important from the standpoint of protection for Japan against a possible future Russian aggression. Japan wants nothing in Siberia except the right to penetrate peacefully for raw material and trade, and is ready to withdraw when that can be done safely, as the result of the establishment of some Government qualified to give protection. Japan favors open-door equality of opportunity; also a consortium as a means of controlling expenditure and loan moneys, and favors the stabilisation of China as the possible nearest customer to Japan.

Indications to-night are that the general tendency towards an international understanding, as revealed at the conference, may result in Japan regarding the AngloJapanese Alliance as unnecessary. It is certain that a large body of Senators, led by Senator Borah, who succeeded in rejecting the Versailles ’Treaty covenant, are not only antagonistic to the treaty, but would strongly oppose any suggested understanding between the United States and Japan. This feeling, which has solidified during the past few days, may do something to change the procedure regarding Far Eastern questions. It is known that Mr. C. E. Hughes is anxious to follow the same plan as proved so successful in the case of disarmament, but it has now been decided that the proceedings will be absolutely secret. All sorts of precautions are being taken to preven* a leakage. The greatest difficult now facing Americans is the manner in which they can approach the question of thfe Anglo-Japanese Alliance, to which tb.-y are not a party. Obviously they cannot say: “Because we do not like the treaty you must abrogate it.” It is understood that Senator Lodge, who is a great personal friend of Mr. A. J. Balfour, is acting as an intermediary in trying to devise some modus operand: for meeting the British view that so long as Japan wants the treaty they are bound in honor to preserve it, and, on the other hand, smoothing Japanese susceptibilities. They are not unhopeful of success, though the situation is admittedly delicate. Chinese official pronouncements indicate that their delegation is not likely to insist on all the points of their original demands, especially regarding Manchuria.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.