Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-10-15

Japan, under threats of declaring wal
on China, extracted from her through
the agency Of the twenty-one demands
an agreement dealing with the Shan
tung territories. besides many other
important concessions very detrimental
to China's interests, of which the first
clause was the following:
The Chinese government agrees that
whom the Japanese government here
after approaches the German govern
privileges Of whatever nature enjoyed
oy Germany in the province Of Shan
tung. whether secured by treaty or In
any other manner. China Will give her
asesnt thereto"
Declaration Voids Agreement.
II Is now interesting to note that by
vfrtue of China's declaration OF wal
Ipon Germany this clause is meaning
ess and valueless. By virtue of the
brogation of treaties contracted be-
ween China and Germany all German
lights obtained by treaty or in any
Their manner" in Shantung are can
eled, the lease of the Tsingtau terri
Dry. the control of the Tsinantu rail-
-ay. the mining privileges and what
oever else was German in Shantung
re once more Chinese.
II Is generally understood that when a
alton declares war on another an abro-
.ation of existing treaties automatical-
follows: in this particular declara-
lon not only is the abrogation implied
nut 1t Is specifically mentioned. There
ore Germany has nothing whatever to
10 with Shantung from the moment war
eAs declared She will have nothing to
ay of its disposition at the peace con-
erence II she is defeated, because the
declaration Of war has cancelled these
lights which were established upon
n All NV
fsak Of fortune she were victorious he,
lights could only be re-established by
- fresh agreement and the arrangement
:. Z new treaties with China
Shares This Authority.
n is thus clear tina. the authority of
ie Chinese Is the legitimate one in
lantung. and until such time as she by
e making Of new treaties shares this
Ithority with Japan or any other
untrys the japanese have no more
gal right to the assumption of German
ices, territories and privileges in that
lrticular sphere thaa they have to the
king Of any other part of Chinese
rritory. As matters stand now there
III be no reason for a German-Japa-
80 discussion concerning the transfer
{ rights at the eventual peace confer
&c, for there are no rights to transfer.
China SO desires she has every right
Titory and the vacation Of the mines.
llways and properties which Japan
Ok over from the Germans on the fall
. Tsingtau.
Territorial Rights Revert.
BY nuke in Japan's diplomatic ar
ngements and an oversight in the
afting of the twenty-one demands
mas territorial and administrative
70 n and the IananaSp
made to appear as trespass rs upon
mas territory. That the japanese
;ognize their position is shov n by
following, which appeared in the
II known Japanese paper. the Jill
says:
The clause in the declaration of war
( all the treaties and agreements
h Germany and Austria shall be
lceled IL a proper one for China, but
ian must study the effect of 1t upon
privileges. because 1t will affect
: Sino-Japanese treaty Of two years
as II concerns Shantung. Now ne
iations should be opened up be-
zen China and Japan regarding it.
the time the treaty was signed
ma was a neutral nation and her
atoms with Germany we're normal.
even after Japan occupied Tsingtau
! practically took over the German
hts in Shantung. the treaties and
dement's which Germany had With
ma regarding the lease and other
tiers should be considered valid.
Agreement Was Concluded.
The Sino-Japanese treaty OF two
lrs ago was concluded on that under
nding. The treaty stipulated in the
It and the second articles that the
estion of DISPOSITION of the rights
,ich Germany had enjoyed and Japa n
* over shall be determined by agree
mt arrived at between Japan and
rrnany. That was to be discussed at
coming peace conference. But now
It China has Cancelled all her treaties
agreements with Germany. the sit
ton is changed. The two articles
ve somewhat become meaningless
China's recognition in article / as tc
pan taking over German rights neet
u walt to be effective until after the
,ace conference. If China means tc
,cogntze Japan's rights to acquire
. German rights IN Shantung. then II
,ould be settled at once and for al
lid a railway between Weihsien. II
.lantung. and Chefoo China needs t.
responsible to Japan alone. Some say
at Germany may claim TO revive hel
ghts In Shantung at the peace con-
renee SO that the Sino-Japanes.
eaty regarding Shantung may be lef
Ist as II is, but Japan VIII not fine
~ difficulty In refuting such German
.guments II advanced. While China
as a neutral nation Germany nigh
asonably make such claim. But now
ter war has been declared China may
ject such German cleaims.
Japan and China, therefore. should
rm new treaty regarding Shantung
transfer all German rights to japan
tn hnality. To be sure. 1t need no
done hurriedly. but II should b.
ne In due course of time in view o
friendly relations existing between
two countries"
Japanese Desire Shangtung.
The Japanese undoubtedly find tn
-uation extremely awkward. Although
hen operations commenced agains
;tngtau the Japanese government CAV
out that Shantung territory shoul
returned to China. this was denie
ter the defeat of the Germans. TIL
panese wish Shantung. and wish
dly. Like all other territories wrest
from the Germans during this wa
the allies. its final distribution ha
be settled at the peace conference
re Japanese. however. hoped to OBJ
in China's consent to whatever ar
ngements she might make with TIL
lies. and article / of the Sino-Japa
Sc treaty Of 1915 was included witt
. object Of coming to an arrange
Their victor or loser
Japan hoped that By giving up tn
ands in or adjacent to Australia
aters. which her navy had assisted t
move from German Jurisdiction, to b
Ne 70 bargain with Great Britain 10
sas now tina. China has entered N,