The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1919-07-25
SHANTUNG ARRANGEMENT
DEFENDED IN SENATE BY
ROBINSON Of ARKANSAS
HE HOLDS JAPAN'S AGREEMENT
TO RELEASE TERRITORY
SHOULD BIZ ACCEPTED

Washington. July 24--Declaring the
treaty provision giving Japan control
In Shantung had been repeatedly
misinterpreted and generalally misun.
derstooG." Senator Robinson. democrat.
Arkansas, told the senate today 1t was
unjust to suspect Japans motives or
to question the declaration of her
statesmen that the territory evehtu-
ally would be restored to China.
1t has been stated by one senator"
said Mr. Robinson, that by the treaty,
Shantung with its 100000 inhabit.
ants is wrestcd from China and pre-.
scnted to Japan. The territory in
Volved in this controversy is limited to
Il small land area of approximately 200
square miles and an equal water area
The total population OF the leased
area is approximately 165,000
Little dispute arises as to the origin
of Gcrmany's claims in this area. As
"A part of the movement OF the nations
to secure commissions in China, Ger
many in 1906 undertook negotiations
for rights and privileges in the Kiao
Chow region. These negotiations We're
successful. March 6, 1898. Germany
concluded treaty with China by which
she acquired a lease of 80 years on
both sides of the bay of kiao Chow.
That Germany regarded her rights
in Shantung as subject TO seizure by
the allied nations at war with her
is disclosed by her efforts to antici'
patton of leased territory. Japan oh.
tanned possession by act of war and
while in possession secured the agree
ment of China to recognize any settle.
ment that she might make with Ger
many upon the restoration of peace.
Japanese statesmen have repeated.
ly re-affirmed the purpose to return
the ceded territory to China as soon
as it can be accomplished in accord
ance with the agreement between China
and Japan. No beneficial effect can re-
suit if we assume that Japan is acting
in bad faith. China can better afford
to rely on her treaty right for a re-
turn of the territory than herself breach
that treaty. This would provoke ia
pan to insist upon her claim acquired
from Germany through conquest, for
that involves no obligation to restore
the territory before expiration Of the
lease.
1T is said China was induced by fear
of war with Japan to enter into the
treaty of 1915 agreeing to whatever
arrangements Japan might make with
Germany But every commercial treaty
of Importance now in force between
China and European nations Is the
result of war or some other form or
dress. If we go back into history and
invalidate every treaty into which du-
ress has entered, chaos in International
relations will result.
Senators have expressed Indignation
at the agreement of Great Britain and
France, during the war. to support ia
pan in her demands at the peace con
ference Perhaps the same criticisms
apply equally to the United States
following these agreements in recog-
nizing the special interests of Japan
in China 1t is said they were all made
primarily to encourage Japan to in
creased activities in the war. The
crisis of the war was approaching,
if not at hand The allies We're strain
ing every resource to beat back the
ever-increasing forces of the enemy.
II believed then and / still believe
that the policy by which Japan was ce-
mented to the allies was both just and
wise The influences now at work
to cause China to hold out do not APP
pear calculated to result i'll benefit to
China or this country"