Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-08-22
u. S. Units to Remain in Germany Named d
EXPERT TELLS
HOW SHANTUNG
WENT TO JAPS
American Peace Adviser
Gives Senate First
Hand Story of Case.


hand story of the negotiations
which resulted in the treaty pro-
! visions giving Japan control IN
Shantung province, China, was told
to the senate foreign relations com
mittee today by Professor z. T.
| Williams, formerly the state de-
partment's expert on far eastern
affairs, who acted as a technical
adviser to the American peace dele
gates
Professor Williams said ne had
objected very strongly to the
Shantung settlement, but that his
resignation from the peace commits
sion had not been due to his oppo-
sition.
| On April %, the witness said,
President Wilson sent for him and
asked him which of the propose /
alternatives would be less i, furious
to China-the transfer of the Ger
man Shantung rights to Japan, or
| insistence on the execution of
Japan's treaty with China growing
out OF the famous 81 demands Of
1915.
Tells Of Talk With Wilson.
II replied" continued Professor
Williams, that / hoped neither
course would be found necessary.
The pres tent said that unfortun-
ately Great Britain and France
were bound by certain engage
ments with Japan to support
Japan's claims in Santung and that
Lloyd George said he would bow
only on the consideration that the
1915 treaty was executed.
"The president added that the
war seemed to have been fought to
establish the sanctity OF treaties
and while some of them were IN
conscienceable. it looked as though
it would be necessary TO recognize
them"
Pointed Out Use Of Force.
The witness said he Suggested
that since the 1915 treaty was ex-
acted =by@force it ought not to be
binding, but that the president re-
piled Japan might not be willing to
recognize that they were made By
force. Professor Williams then sus-
gested that the treaty have a
blanket provision that all German
property in China should be turned
over to China and that any rights
taken from Germany by Japcl
should be returned to China With
in one year.
Others Favor Japan.
Later the expert advisers of the
British, French and American dele
cations joined in a memorandum
saying that transfer of the German
Shantung rights to Japan would
be the more desirable Of the two
courses suggested.
Professor Williams and McClay,
a British expert, Joined in a mem
orandum saying China ought not
be compelled to accept either al
tentative.
Not Covered by IA Points.
81 asked the president" said
Professor Williams, whether the
proposed settlement was not con-
trary to his IA points and he said
that unfortunately he did not think
there was anything in the IA points
exactly covering the case. Later
called attention to his Mount Yer
non speech which seemed to cover
the matter"
Did the president make any re-
sponse?" asked Senator Johnson.
Republican, California.
81 only received a note from the
presidents secretary thanking me
for the memorandum"
Two days later Professor Will
liams said he was informed of the
decision taken, adding that nr. S.
K Hornbeck, the other AN - can
adviser on far eastern affairs, had
concurred in objecting. but that
they did not file a protest after the
decision was reached
Not Cause of Resignation.
Asked whether his resignation
was due to any particular" reason
the witness replied:
mo, my leave of absence from
the university Of California was
about to expire. 1 would have
come home in any case"
In reply as to what effect the
decision might have in
China, Professor Williams said:
81 felt it would raise a strong
protest from China and was tending
to strife rather than to peace. I
felt it was also injurious to our
own interests as China has enter
ed the war under our advice and
that by the transfer of these rights
to JaDan we would lose prestige