Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1918-05-30
JAPAN USING Civil
RULE IN TSINCTAU
China Protests, Believing 1t
Means Intention to Perma-
nently Occupy Country.

Peking-(By mall.)-Substitution by
the Japanese Of civil administration
for military rule in Tsingtau and along
the Tsingtau -Tsinan railway which is
regarded here as giving the appearance
OF permanency to Japan's occupation
OF that territory in Shantnng wrcsted
from the Germans at the beginning OF
the war, has aroused the indignation of
tne chinese local population. This has
peen expressed in petitions to the
central government to the governors OF
other provinces and to influential
chinese organizations.
Inc chinese government has pro-
tested to Toxic and has received a reply
stating In effect that the inauguration
OF civN government was done with the
lation better thar military regime.
Japan point OF View. 55as described
here, isssthat any obligations to vacate
the territory in question after the war,
which existed by virtue of. Japan's
ION, has been mule by China's
declaration of war against Germany
n the consequent cancellation of ex-
listing treaties.
1t is understood in Picking that Japan
holds that the ultimate disposition Of
this territory must be the subject Of
further negotiations between China
and Japan.
Meanwhile Japan is perfecting and
extending her civil administration on
the ground that it is her duty to MAIN
tain peace and prosperity in the terri
tory she captured from Germany. Lead
Ing Shantung men, who view with des-
pair Japan's action say much capital
Is being made Of the Lansing-Ishii
agreement. According to these author
tiles the Japanese declare that their
position as special guardians of that
territory is now fully conceded and lat
no power can resist it.
The bitterness which has developed
on the part of the Chinese is indicated
by the paragraph in a written protest
by the Shantung Provincial assembly,
which reads: "Our fellow men in the
province of Shantung in their struggle
TO be released from political calami-
ties have determined never to taste
fish or meat even though they
starve."
Causes of complaint cited in pro-
tests which are raining in upon the
central government follow:
In Tsinetau, FangtZe, Changtien and
Tsipan the Japanese have established
civil administration departments in dis
regard for Chinese sovereignty. The
Germans during the entire time of their
occupation, it is pointed out, never at
tempted to institute civil administra-
ton and left to China the right to police
the railway. There are already Japan
csc consulates throughout Shantung to
look after the welfare of Japanese resi-
dents making unnecessary the estab-
lishment of civil administration.
Japanese civil officers nave already
assumed jurisdiction in cases OF rents
and debts.
Whereas the Germans only enjoyed
priority in acquiring mining rights, the
Japanese actually interfere in some in
stances with mines already owned and
exploited by Chinese, even to the length
of prohibiting the sale of products.
The building Of roads, establish
ment of an industrial scnool m rne
pital and the hospital for gendarmes in
Tsingtau is regarded as evidence Of in
tended permanent occupation"
The Chinese could perhaps forgive
the japanese for other acts if they
had not extended their jurisdiction to
the railway and to a railway zone"
about 10 miles wide extending as far as
Tsinanfu. According to competent au- I
thority no convention was even en- |
acted with the Germans for a railway !
zone.
This want OF any authority for a
railway zone is being urged by the |
Chinese foreign office in Its protest
against the alleged encroachment.
The Japanese, in reply, argue the
difficulty OF altering a decree issued
by their emperor, declaring that what
they are doing in %Shantung is such
authority.
The Chinese declare that under ex-
listing treaties any decree by Japan
can only affect the Tsingtau district |
and the erstwllile German leased ter |
ritory, therefore there is no need Of
modifying the decree. the only requisite
being to properly interpret it.
While the respective foreign offices
discuss the merits of the controversy |
the influx OF Japanese into the ter
ritory in question is said, to be grow.
ing from day to day.