Evening star., 1919-05-04

japanese claim to German rights in
Shantung at the peace conference. 1t
says that China knew nothing of the
agreements and was not told Of them
even when she joined in the war in
August, 1917. 1t is declared that
China's declaration of war abrogated
all treaties and agreements with Ger
many and that German rights auto
matically reverted to China.
Sees Violation of Principles.
The Chinese delegation asserts that
the reported action of the council OF
three in transferring the German
rights to Japan is not in keeping with
the principles Of peace laid down by
the allied and associated powers. The
statement declares that it is intimated +
that the decision of the council of
three granting Japan's claims was for
the purpose of saving the league of
nations. 1t is further declared that
Japan's claims were based in part on
the treaty and notes made In 1915 with
China. The Chinese delegation says
that the documents Of 1915 were sign
ed by China under threat of war.
The statement also draws a parallel
between the Shantung and Fiume
questions.
Statement in Full.
The statement in full reads:
THE Chinese delegation has been
informed orally on behalf of the
council of three Of the outline of
the settlement proposed regarding
the shtntuns. question. Under this
settlement all rights to Kiaochow.
transferred to Japan. While Japan
voluntarily engages to hand back the
Shantung peninsula in full sovereign
ty to China, she is allowed to retain
the economic privileges formerly en-
joyed by Germany.
These privileges, the delegation
is informed, refer to the Tung Tao
mines connected with it and the two
railways to be built connecting Shan
tung with the two trunk lines from
Peking to the Yangtsze valley. In
addition she obtains the right to es-
tablish settlement at Tsngtao, and
it is understood, will be withdrawn
from Shantung at the earliest possi-
BILE moment, the employment Of spe-
cial railway police is permitted.
Disappointment Voiced.
Such being the outline Of the pro-
posed settlement, the Chinese delega-
ton cannot but view it with dieap-
pointment and dissatisfaction.
These German rights in Shantung
originated in an act of wanton ag-
gression in 1897. characteristic Of
Prussian militarism. To transfer
of three proposes to. do, is. therefore,
to confirm an act of aggre ssion which
has been resented by the Chinese
people ever since its perpetration.
Such virtual substitution of Japan
for Germany in Shantung is serious
enough in itself, but it becomes grave
when the position of Japan in south
ern Manchuria and eastern Mongolia
is read in connection with it. Firmly
intrenched on both sides Of the gulf
Of Pechili. the water outlet of
Peking. with hold on the three
trunk lines from Peking and connect
ing it with the rest of China, the
capital becomes but an enclave in the
midst of Japanese influence.
Claim Rights Reverted to China.
Moreover. owing to China's dec
powers August IA, 1917. and the ab-
rogation of all treaties and agree
ments between China and these
powers, the German rights automati-
cally reverted to China. This decla-
ration was officially notified to and
taken cognizance Of by the allied and
associated governments. 1t is there
fore significant that the council in
announcing the settlement of the
MISUNDERSTANDING question referred
to the rights to be transferred to
Japan a. the rights formerly be-
'1r appears clear. then. that the
council has been bestowine on Japan
the rights, not OF Germany. hut Of
China; not OF an enemy, but Of an
ally. The more powerful ally has
reaped benefit at the expense, not
weaker ally.
Is China's holy Land.
Resides. shantung is china.s holy
fucius and Mencius and hallowed as
the cradle of her civilization.
IL IL Is the intention of the coun-
Gil to restore it to China, it is diff
cult TO see on what consideration of
prlnS,pie ilnia or or OF expediency can be
stance to an alien power. which then
voluntarily engages to hand it back
to the rightful owner.
Japan based it's claim for the Ger
man rights in Shantung also on the
treaty and notes of 1915 and the notes
however. that the documents of 1915
were agreed to by China under coer-
c1on OF an ultimatum threatening war
IN case OF noncompliance with the
twenty-one demands
Not Party to Agreement.
The Chinese delegation understands
taal the council was prompted by
the ract that Great Britain and
France had undertaken in February
and March. 1917, to support at the
peace conference the transferring to
Japan OF the German rights in
Shantung. To none OF these secret
agreements was China a. party nor
was she informed of their contents
when invited to join the war against
2 Dental Offices in TownIs@1