New-York tribune., 1919-07-16

His Britannia Majesty's government
accedes with pleasure to request Of
the Japanese government for an assur-
ance that they will support Japan's
claims in regard to the disposal Of
possessions of the islands north of the
equator on the occasion Of the peace
conference; it being understood that
the Japanese government will In the
eventual peace settlement treat in the
same spirit Great Britain's claims to
the German islands south Of the eQua-
tor.
"T avail myself of this opportunity,
NJ le Ministre' to renew to your ex-
cellency the assurance Of my highest
consideration.
"(signed)
'CONYNGHAM GREENE,
"'Hs Britannia Majesty's Ambas-
sador'
Proposal Was Accepted
"On the 21st day of February, 1917,
the Japanese government replied to
this communication of the British gov
eminent as follows (omitting the for
NAL part):
"'The Japanese government is deep
ly appreciative of the friendly spirit
in which your government has given
assurance and happy to note it as
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
which may be put forward at the
peace conference in regard to the Ger
man possessions in the islands south
of the EQUATOR
"While the Japanese government
was waiting for reply from the
British government it proceeded also
to negotiate with the other Allied gov
ernments. It's message to the French
Ambassador at Toxic was signed by the
Japanese Foreign Minister and was as
follows:
"The imperial Japanese government
proposes to demand from Germany at
the time Of the peace negotiations the
surrender Of the territorial rights and
special interests Germany possessed
before the war in Shantung and the ISL
ands situated north of the equator in
the Pacific Ocean.
"'The imperial Japanese government
confidently hopes the government of
the French republic, realizing the
legitimacy Of these demands, will give
assurance that, her case being proved,
Japan may count upon its full support
in this question.
tion for damages caused to the life
and property Of Japanese people by the
unjustifiable attacks Of the enemy, as
we'll as other conditions of peace, Of
a character common to all the Entente
powers, are entirely outside the con-
sideration of the present question:
"A few days later the French AM
bassador replied to the Japanese For
eign Office as follows:
"'The government Of the French re-
public is disposed to give the Japanese
government its accord in regulating at
the time Of the peace negotiations
questions vital to Japan concerning
Shantung Ind the German islands in
the Pacific north of the equator. It
also agrees to support the demands Of
the imperial Japanese government for
the surrender of the rights Germany
possessed before the war in this
Chinese province and these islands.
IN. BRAND demands, on the other
obtain from China the breaking Of it's
diplomatic relations with Germany and
that it give this act desirable signifi-
cance. The consequences of this in
China should be the following:
"'First, handing passports to the
German diplomatic agents and consus.
Second, the obligation of all un-
der German jurisdiction to leave
Chinese territory.
Wanted Ships Interned
Third, the internment of German
ships in Chinese ports and the ulti-
mate requisition of these ships in
order to place them at the disposition
of the Allies following the example Of
Italy and Portugal. According to the
information of the French govern
ment there are fifteen German ships
in Chinese potts, totalling about 10000
tons.
"'Fourth, requisition of German
/ commercial houses established in
China; forfeiting the rights of Ger
in certain parts of China
upon receipt of this communica-
tion the Foreign Minister of Japan, on
behalf Of Japan, promised compliance
with the request of the French gov
ernment contained in this letter. SINH
lar negotiations were entered into
with similar results with Italy, al
though the negotiations with Italy took
place in Rome and not in Toxic. A
similar agreement was also made with
Russia, and it must be remembered that
at that time Russia was still in the
war and 1t was anticipated that at the
close of the war she would have a
place at the peace table.
Sees Plot Against China
ut is thus clearly disclosed that
while these leading governments Of the
world were inducing China to get into
the war. in order that they might
secure her assistance and particula, ly
that they. might be able to get posses
China's harbors, they were secretly
plotting among themselves as to her
/ destruction as soon as she had COM
piled with their wishes and the war
was over. In all the annals of history
| do not believe there is recorded an
instance Of more disgraceful and