The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-07-20
SHANTUNC DEAL
IS REVIEWED IN
NORRIS SPEACH
NEBRASKA SENATOR GIVES HIS
TORY OF JAPANESE AGREE
MENT WITH FRANCE AND ENG
LAND CONCERNING CHINA.

washington, July ia charge that
Japan secretly secured pledges from
Great Britain, France, Italy and Rus
STA, early IN 1917, that in the peace
settlement Shantung peninsula should
for certain consideration, be turned
over to the Toxic government, was
made in the senate by Senator Norris,
republican, of Nebraska, who pro-
duced what he declared to be copies
of diplomatic correspondence smoody-
ing the promises of Breat Britain ana
France.
These pledges, the Nebraska senator
declared, fully explained the pressure
which resulted in Standings transfer
to Japan under the Versailles treaty,
whose ratification by the senate ne
asserted, would write the blacklist
page in the nations history.
Great Britain's influence in the
matter, he charged, was secured by
Japan's support of British claims to
Pacific islands south of the equator,
while Frances aid was purchased by
a promise of the Toxic government TO
help draw China into the war so that
German ships in Chinese aarbors
would be available for carrying troops
and provisions to France.
said Senator Norris, the Japanese
minister OF foreign affairs. at Toxic,
approached the British ambassador
located at that place, with view of
bringing about an agreement with the
British government. The British min
lister cabled to his government az
London. and after receiving instruc-
tions from his government, wrote the
Japanese government as follows:
/" british Embassy. Toxic.
February 16, 1917.
MY Dear Excellency:
with reference to the subject of
our conversation of the 9th ultimo
His Brittanic majesty's
government accede with pleasure to
request of the Japanese government
for an assurance that they will sup
port Japan's claims in regard to the
disposal OF Germany's rights in Shan
tung and possessions in the islands
north of the equator on the occasion
of the peace conference; it being un-
derstood that the Japanese govern
ment will, in the eventual peace set
Element, treat in the same spirit Grea.
Britain's claims to the German islands
south of the equator.
"I avail myself of this opportunity
M. lie Ministre, to renew to your ex-
cellency the assurance of my highest
consideration.
"CONYINGHAM GREENE.
His Brittanic Majesty's
Ambassador"
ION the 21st day of February. 1917.
the Japanese government replied to
this communication of the British
government as follows (omitting for
NAL parD:
The Japanese government is deep
ly appreciative of the friendly spirit
in which your government has given
assurance and happy to note 1t us
fresh proof of the close ties that unite
the two allied powers. take pleasure
in stating that the Japanese govern
ment on it's part is fully prepared
to support in the same spirit the
claims which may be put forward at
the peace conference in regard TO the
German possessions in the islands
south OF the equator
While the Japanese government
was waiting for reply from the
British government, II proceeded also
TO negotiate with the other allied
governments. It's message TO the
French ambassador at TOXIC was sign
ed by the Japanese foreign minister
and was as follows:
The imperial Japanese govern
ment proposes TO demand from Ger
many at the time of the peace nego-
tiations the surrender of territorial
rights and special interests Germany
Possessed before the war in Shan
tung and the islands situated north
of the equator in the Pacific ocean.
THE imperial Japanese govern
ment confidently hopes the govern
ment of the French republic. really
ing the legitimacy OF these demands
will give assurance that, her case
being proved, Japan may count upon
it's full support on this question.
1T goes without saying that repa-
ration for damages caused 20 the lire
and property of the japanese people
by the unjustifiable attacks of the
enemy. as we'll as other conditions OF
peace. Of n character common 10 all
the entente powers, are entirely out
side the consideration of the present
question:
"A few days later. the French am
oassador replied to the Japanese for
eign office as follows:
The government OF the French
republic is disposed to give the Japa-
nese government its accord in regu-
lating at the time of the peace nego-
tiations questions vital to japan con-
corning Shantung and the Garmn n
islands in trc Pacific norta OF the
equator. 1t also agrees to support
the demands of the imperial japanese
government fer the surrender of the
rights Germany possessed before the
war in this Chinese province and these
islands
NJ. BRAND demands, on the other
hama, that Japan give its support to
obtain from China the breaking Of its
diplomatic relations with GERMANY
ana that IL give this act desirable
Significance. The consequences OF
f@ fv,