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co-operation with the Chinese Government for the tranquillity of the districts affected and for the protection of Japanese subjects.
From Chientao his Excellency turned to the subject of Siberia; but there was With regard to the Chita nothing new in the information he gave the House. Government, he said that it was for the future to reveal whether that Government would in practice, as it did in profession, stand for anti-communistic democracy.
The last part of Count Uchida's speech was devoted to the relations of Japan with the United States. The friendship of the two countries was, his Excellency said, traditional, and although it was true that there had been an occasional mingling of unpleasantness, this was almost inevitable in view of the complexity of inter- national relations. He was, nevertheless, firmly convinced that fundamentally the good relationship remained unchanged, and that no insurmountable obstacles existed which were likely to disturb the principles governing that relationship. The Californian Land Law of 1920, which was aimed at the Japanese, and unjust and discriminatory, was undoubtedly an unfortunate measure. But it was not new: it was the result of an old unsolved problem, a problem, moreover, which could not be solved from the standpoint of one side alone. The Japanese Government had exercised the greatest care in dealing with this matter, and, recognising the urgency of obtaining a final solution of the difficulties caused by this question, they had instructed their representative in Washington to open a discussion on the subject with the American authorities. A frank exchange of views had followed; but the Government was not yet in a position to publish the results.
Enclosure in No. 1.
I have, &c.
C. ELIOT.
Extract from the "Japan Advertiser," January 23, 1921.
TRANSLATION OF SPEECHES DELIVERED ON JANUARY 22 BY MR. HARA, THE MINISTER- PRESIDENT, AND COUNT UCHIDA, THE MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
TOUCHING briefly on the type of legislation that is to come before the present session of the Imperial Diet, Premier Hara yesterday morning opened the resumed sitting of the Diet. Count Uchida, Minister for Foreign Affairs, also addressed the reconvened Diet. The Premier's speech follows :-
"I feel it a great honour to address you on this occasion of the opening of the 44th session of the Imperial Diet.
The Imperial Diet, which was convened in July last, being a special session, the Bills which were then submitted for your approval were confined to those considered to require our immediate attention, whereas the present session being an ordinary one, some of the Bills which were left unpassed, and those which, though intended for submission to your consideration had not been introduced at all during the previous session or the one preceeding it, will be submitted for your approval on this occasion. Further, the Bills which are deemed of importance in the interest of the State, and those which have been prepared by the various committees, such as the committee for the revision of existing legislation and the committee appointed to inquire into matters concerning the economy and finance of the State, will as far as possible be introduced into the Diet in the course of this session.
"It need hardly be said that, consequent upon the Peace Conference of 1919, the responsibilities of our country have greatly increased as regards our contribution to the peace of the world. Accordingly, the united efforts of the whole nation are more than ever required for the growth of the national resources and the enhance- ment of the national prestige. And inasmuch as it is an undeniable fact that the external development of the country depends upon the growth of the national strength at home, the Government are conducting affairs of State in accordance with this principle so far as the circumstances and the finances of the country permit.
As to the foreign relations of the country, I am happy to say that we are on It is true that there are now, as in other good terms with all foreign countries. times, some questions pending, for instance, such as the Californian and Chientao questions. In the case of the Californian question, however, the authorities concerned both in America and Japan are now engaged in the discussion thereof
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in a most friendly spirit, and the Government are anticipating its satisfactory settlement. As regards the Chientao question, the despatch of our troops to that district is only a temporary measure demanded by the necessity of self-defence in the presence of disturbing conditions, as was evidenced in the act of those outlaws who had burned our consulate at Hunchun and killed and wounded our countrymen there. As soon as the order and security of that district are assured, for which the Chinese Government are primarily responsible, these troops will of course be with- drawn, as was announced on the occasion of their despatch. In fact, with the exception of small detachments, these troops have already been withdrawn. As to the other questions, the Government, actuated as they are by the most sincere desire further to improve the existing friendly relations with foreign countries, are prepared to treat them equally with right and justice.
"As regards the actual foreign relations and financial programme of our I will therefore country, the Ministers concerned will give you a fuller account. refrain from dwelling upon them now at length. At any rate, it is hoped that the intention of the Government to achieve the peaceful development of the country by cultivating the national strength for the benefit of the whole nation at home, and by maintaining amicable relations with all foreign countries abroad, will be fully appreciated by the whole House."
The address of Viscount Uchida, which took up the foreign relations of the Japanese Government in greater detail, follows:—
"I esteem it a great honour to come before you and make a general statement on our relations with foreign countries since the last session of the Diet.
"I desire first to touch upon questions relative to the enforcement of the several treaties of peace. The German, Austrian and Bulgarian treaties have all been in force for some time, the Japanese Government having already ratified the first two and the third being now in order for ratification. As you are aware, the Government have recently appointed diplomatic representatives to Germany and Austria. In thus resuming normal relations with these countries we are making efforts, in concert with the Allied Governments. for the enforcement of the terms of the Peace Treaty. In pursuance of this aim we have appointed commissioners to deal with problems connected with the defining of boundaries, the caution of the military clauses, and indemnity. In the task of distributing the German rolling-stock, a Japanese representative is participating as chairman of the commission. The Government were also represented on the commissions sent to various districts whose nationality was to be decided by plebiscite. The plebiscite having duly been carried out, the nationality of the districts in question has now been definitely determined. Besides, steps have also been taken at home in connection with the disposition of the special enemy properties situated in Japan, and the resumption of old treaties. In this way the Peace Treaty with Germany and Austria is being steadily put into practice. At the Ambassadors Conference held from time to time at Paris, which may be regarded as the central Allied organ for the enforcement of the Peace Treaty, the Japanese Government have throughout been represented by the Ambassador to France, who has taken part in the framing of any general policy concerning the enforcement of the various treaties of peace. The treaty with Hungary and that The with Turkey have not yet taken effect, but they are expected soon to do so. Government have already sent to the capital of Turkey a diplomatic agent, who will shortly be followed by a representative on the Commission of the Straits. Among the countries which have come into existence as the result of the great war and those to which we did not hitherto send any diplomatic agent, the Government have decided to establish legations in Poland and Greece, a Minister having recently been appointed to Poland. It being considered necessary to have representatives also in zecho-Slovakia and Roumania, the expenditures needed for that purpose have been inserted in the budget, which is submitted to you for approval during the present
session,
"The League of Nations was formally inaugurated on the 10th January, 1920, when the German Treaty took effect, and at present has a membership of forty-seven States, representing three-fourths of the entire population of the world. Now that Austria and Bulgaria have been admitted into the League, even if we temporarily abandon hope of Russia which is still in a chaotic condition, it is sincerely to be hoped that Germany, her willingness to fulfil international obligations especially those entailed by the Peace Treaty generally recognised, may before long be given admittance likewise. In this connection the Japanese Government, in common with
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