New Britain herald., 1918-04-11
CHINESE AROUSED
BY JAPANESE RULE
Act Of Kindness in TSingtau Mis-
interpreted by Residents

Picking, February 1S.-(Correspon-
dence of The Associated Press. y
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 perman-
ency to Japan's occupation of that
territory in Shantung wrested from
the Germans at the beginning of the
war, has aroused the indignation of
the Chinese local population. This
has been expressed in petitions to
the central government to the COVER
nors Of other provinces and to in
huential Chinese organizations
The Chinese government has pro-
tested to TOXIC and has received a
reply stating in effect that the inau-
ruration of civil government was
done with the idea that it might
please the local population better
than a military regime.
Japan's point of view, as Described
here, is that any obligations to vacate
the territory in question after the
war, which existed by virtue of ia
pans declaration at the time of its
occupation. has been annulled by
China's declaration of war against
lation Of existing treaties.
It is understood in Picking that
Japan holds that the ultimate DISPOSE
ton of this territory must be the sub
ject 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
maintain peace and prosperity in the
territory she captured from Ger
many. Leading Shantung men, who
view with despair Japan's action say
much capital is being made of the
LansingIshii agreement. According
to these authorities the Japanese de-
clare that their position as special
guardians of that territory is now
fully conceded and that no power can
resist it.
The bitterness which has developed
on the part of the Chinese is indi-
Gated by the paragraph in a written
protest by the Shantung Provincial
Assem- bly,, which reads: Our fellow
men in the province of Shantung in
their struggle to be released from
political calamities have determined
never to taste Japanese fish or meat
even though they starve."
Causes of complaint cited in pro-
tests which are raining in upon the
central government follow:
I'm Tsingtau, Fangtze, Changtien
and Tsinan the Japanese have es-
tablished civil administration depart
ments in disregard for Chinese sover-
eighty. The Germans during the en-
tire time of their occupation, it is
pointed out never attempted to in
sri tint ixr{1 a n in fCtr
to China the right to police the rail
way. There are already Japanese
consulates throughout Shantung to
look after the welfare of Japanese
residents making unnecessary the eS-
Establishment of civil administration.
Japanese civil officers have al
ready assumed jurisdiction in cases
Of rents and debts.
Whereas the Germans only en-
joyed priority in acquiring mining
rights, the Japanese actually inter-
fere in some instances with mines
already owned and exploited by Chin
csc, even to the length of prohibiting
the sale of products.
The building of roads, establish
ment of an industrial school and the
taking over of control of q railway
hospital and the hospital for gen
darmes in Tsingtau is regarded as
evidence of intended permanent Oc-
cupation."
The Chinese could perhaps forgive
the Japanese for other acts if they
had not extended their jurisdiction
the railway and to railway zone
about ten miles wide extending as
far as Tsinanfu. According to com
petent authority no convention was
even enacted with the Germas for a
railway zone.
This want of any authority for
railway zone" is being urged by the
Chinese foreign office in it's protest
against the alleged encroachment.
The Japanese, in reply, argue the
difficulty of altering Il decree issued
nv their emperor, declaring that what
they are doing in Shantung is such
authority.
The Chinese declare that under
existing treaties any decree by Japan
can only affect the Tsingtau district
and the erstwhile German leased ter
ritory, therefore there is no need of
modifying the decree, the only requt-
site being to properly interpret it.
While the respective foreign offices
discuss t1e merits of the controversy
the influx of Japanese into the terri
tory in question is said to be grow
ing from day to day.