The latest test report concerning Japan's intentions in Saghalien deals with a suggestion that she should buy the place from Russia. Her intention to evacuate the northern portion was announced some time ago, but was made contingent on a settlement of the Nikolaievsk question—the diplomat-ie affair which has been pending ever since the Japanese population there was massacred by the Reds. Chita has been negotiating with Japan for a very long time now, but it seems difficult, almost insuperably so,- to arrive at a settlement of the matters in dispute. Hence the report has gained currency that a new basis may be found for negotiating the delicate matter. of compensation for Nikolaievsk by Japan's purchase of northern Saghalien. Doubtless Chita would be only too glad to receive money by the sale of it or any other place under the sun, bue one would hardly like to say that any very great security of tenure
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.