The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-09-11
sHANTUNE

The shantung outrage is not such an outrage after aft when
understood.
Some years ago a German merchant OF a German mission
airy was nistreatcd in shantung, and Germany sent her ~warships,
as other nations Rave done under similar circumstances, and
took over the province. While exploiting the country Germany
developed il, Building railroads and factories and giving it great
commercial Importance,
Shan<ung is a peninsula extending from the mainland into
the Yellow sea for 200 miles, A backbone of limestone moun-
tains runs through this peninsula. which is about 100 miles wide,
and has a population Of 100000. 1t is filled with rich valleys
which produce cereals, peanuts, silk, indigo and other valuable
commercial commodities. When war was declared Japan joined
the allies and proceeded to strike Germany at the nearest point.
This was IN Shantung. The Germans were driven out, China
was glad OF this but the laps remained in and took control Of
the peninsula. When the peace conference met and promised
to do so much, China expected that the peninsula would be
restored to her. Japan was, unwilling to do this, and would not
sign the treaty unless she were given possession Of Shantung
for a period Of years, to enable her to adjust her great CONNER
ciai interests and move her belongings out, after which Shantung
is to be given back to China. The Chinese violently opposed
this, and pleaded for instant restitution, but were outvoted, and
here the matter rests, II was the best arrangement that could
he made at the time, and the, friends OF China so advised the
Flowery Kingdom. When the treaty reached our senate the
clause containing the Shantung provision was seized upon 1t
was denounced as an outrage, and the American people were
beseeched not to confirm il. .
1t must be admitted that this appeal met with mitch sym
pathy among the more %impusive. All Americans, as we'll as all
rightthinking people, would much prefer ia have the Shahtung
peninsula returned to China, But to make this the basis for the
operturning Of the work 81 the peace conference is an alterha-
tive that is unthinkahe. The conference brought the wat to a
close, made it possible to bring our boys home, reduced Germany
to a state of harmlessness, and made some sort OF provision for
the ancient and once powerful state Of Poland. II did not do all
tnat " would Ike 10 nave done. NO peace conference cVeI aocs,
But it made a beginning, gave the world a breathing spell and
left the details to the future, Italy is not satisfied; the Balkans
are not satisfied. Many other countries are not satisfied, but
it would be the height Of folly and crime to destroy the entire
edificc because it is not complete and perfect in all its details.
This is the eventuaity against which President Wilson IS
appealing to the country This is the terrible tragedy that he
would avert But partisan malignity stops at nothing, and to
gain advantage would return the world to the deuge OF blood
from which It has lust escaped. The people are with the presi-
The long and isbofious work of the peace conference must
stand, and its fruits be enjoyed. Whatever is aniss-and there
is much lackng2-ean be supplied later on, China has not been
helped and not hurt. The laps have highjacked the loot of the
Germans, but they can keep it only for a season, when they
must return it-65,W0 square miles of rich territory and nearly
100000 people mean mitch even to a vast and populous
country.
The Chinese have also a sentimental interest IN Shantung
as we'll as a material interest. In this province was born Con-
iucus, founder of a great religion which has more followers than
any other religion on earth, Here also was born Mehcius, who
founded a school Of philosophy and morals which has been
practically absorbed III Confucianism, But China must wait
America must not play the baby and repudiate the work OF its
accredited delegates. We cannot go to war with Japan, nor
irrtate that country too much, We have already created a
delicate situation by sending half OF our navy into the Pacific
where there is nothing to shoot at but Japan. we must put
aside partisan politics for the time, and finish our task in the
worlds work so grandly and auspieiousfy begun.
We must not engage in sabotage. We must nor shirk Of
dodge our share of responsibility. We must be a nation OF men
Of sueh men as thridded the Argonne forest and broke the
Hindenburg line.