Great Falls daily tribune., 1919-08-23
YIELDED TO SANCTITY
OF TREATIES DESPITE
SHANTUNG SECRECY
Dilemma for President Created by Lloyd George
Insisting on Cession Of Territory Taken From
Germans or Execution Of Famous Il Demands
on Peking by Japan in Pact Of 1915.

France were by their engage
ments with Japan to support
Japan's claims in Shantung, and
that Lloyd George said he would
bow only on the consideration
that the 1915 treaty was exc
cuted.
"The president added that the
war seemed to have been fought
| to establish the sanctity Of
treaties and while some Of them
were unconscionable, it looked
as though it would be necessary
to recognize them
The witness said he suggested that.
since the 1915 treaty was exacted by
force, it ought not to be binding, but
that the president replied Japan might
not be willing to recognize that they
were made by force. Professor Viii
Gams then suggested that the treaty
man property in China should be turned
over to China and that any rights taken
from Germany by Japan should be re
turned to China within one year.
Entente Backed CessIon.
Later. the expert advisers of the Brit
ish, French and American delegations
joined in a memorandum, saying that
transfer Of the German Shantung rights
to Japan would be the more desirable
Of the two courses suggested Profess
sors Williams ana McClay, a British ex-
pert, joined in memorandum. saying
China ought not To be compelled 70 ac-
cept either alternative.
Not Covered by ID Points.
Il asked the president" said Profes-
sor Williams, whether the proposed
settlement was not contrary to his II
points and he said that, unfortunately,
He did not think there was anything IN
the Ii points exactly covering the case.
Later | called attention 10 his Mount
Vernon address, which seemed to cover
the matter"
''Did the president make any re
sponse?" asked Senator johnson. repub-
lican, California
Il only received a note from the presi-
dents secretary, thanking me for the
memorandum.
Other Expert Also Objected.
Two days later. Professor Williams
said. he was informed of the decision
taking. adding that Pr s. r. Hurnbeck.
the other American adviser on far cast
ern affairs, had conrurred in objecting.
but that they did not file q protest af-
ter the decision was announced.
Asked whether his resignation was
due to any particular reason the Wit
ness replied:
mo My leave Of absence from TIE
University Of California was about ~
expire. ! would have come home HI
any case
cesson Tends to Strife, HI Says.
In reply n Il question as 10 what Of
fcct the Shantung decision might have
III China, Professor Williams said:
i felt it would raise Il strong protest
from China and was tending 10 strife
rather than TO peace. / felt it was
also Injurious to our own interests. as
China had entered the war under our
advice. and that by the transfer Of these
rights to Japan We would lose prestige
in the far east.
My own opinion is that the decision
was an unfortunate one. that the leased
territory of hiao Chow and the RAILWAYS
and mines Of Shantung ordinarily would
have gone to China at the conclusion Of
peace, that they had been taken from
China by force and by an act of piracy.
II haven't the slightest doubt th4t
Japan will carry out her promise. hat
the promise is very unsatisfactory he
cause when the 99year lease expires
she retains control of the port of Using
Tao ~ that there virtually will De moth
ing to hand back"