No Itnmediate Possibility of a Changed Policy but Determination Not to be Caught Nappimg Prion Oce OnW
Peking, June 23.
Chinese observers ave very confident that the Javanese will neutralize the Kisotsi Railway zone against fighting, but their confidence is not share 'n Japanese cides whith point out that there is no change in the Jazanese policy except possibly that it i3 more firmly tether: d nowadays to the protection of the lives and] property of Japanese nationals than it was at the time of the Nanking affair.
Japanese insistence or protecting its Legation and nat nals Peking, in face of the wav ig of the other Powers is an example of that determination.
This is but ordinary procedure in the opinion of the Japanese. There could not be any question of withdrawal except in the event of an outbreak of war between the two countries.
Of course, in outlying districts such as Kalgan, any threat of] danger would call for the withdrawal of the Japanese nationals, but in other places, where th interests are vital, they intend to stand their ground.
There seems to be a good deal of misunderstanding concerning the impending conference in Tokyo. It has attracted as much interest in Peking as Marshal Chang Tso-lin's self-elevation. But the Japanese throw cold water over any suggestion that it may lead to positive action in Chins alized this within twenty-four hours of assuming office. He realized that there could not be any change for some time to come and he is only concerned now not to be caught] napping. This is the meaning of the 2,000 troops in Tsingtao. His conferences and commissions are just so many attempts at window.
An informed student of Japanese} affairs put it to me in this way: "There is reason for misunderstand. ing in the foreign mind because of the peculiar circumstances attaching to this conference, It is well advertized because the Premier, Baron Tanaka, while he was in the opposition was such a bitter critic of Mr, Shidehara's alleged—inactivity. "He was also courageous enough to place a change in the China policy, together with financial re. form, in the forefront of his pro-the eve of taking over ip. But he bit off more than he could chew and he re-
There are others equally well-informed, who say this isnot a Foreign Office but a Seiyakai Con. ference which is made to look like Government conferetice for reasons of domestic polities. is even said that several friends of Mr. Yoshizawa helped to manceture the parley to press home his title to the portfolio for Foreign Affairs. Such an appointment, itis said, is about the biggest. surprise that' one is justified in looking forward to as a result of this eonference.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.