Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-02-11
Japan Threatens
War Against China


agreement of September "a, 1918, which
grants Shantung to Japan and admits
Japan as the successor TO Germany's
rights, concessions and properties In the
Shantung district! This includes rail-
ways, mines and other valuable prop
erty, and the rights to them for a long
term of years. According to the Chinese
claim Japan already has possession un-
der treaties and agreements of twp
iifths of the iron ore deposits of the
entire Chinese Republic and is seeking
possession of the other three-f1fths.
Although they so far have been able
to resist the japanese demands. the Chi
nese officials now say that the pressure
Is becoming unbearable. The Chinese
President has approved by cable the
actions of the Chinese delegates IN Paris
in announcing their willingness to make
public the treaties in spite OF Japanese
pressure.
China has asked, depending upon the
suppression made upon the accredited
delegates from other countries. that the
Peace Conference see the twenty-one
demands made upon China by Japan in
1915 be revoked and that the Chinese
Republic be removed definitely from the
Influence of Japan.
China Demands Independence
The complete independence Of China
4 Is asked under the protection of the
league of nations.
The account of Minister Reinsch s
visit to the Pekin Foreign Office says
he reaffirmed the friendship of the
United States for China and desired to
\ give active support In her desire for
Independence. He learned. however
! that the Japanese minister in Picking
reached the Foreign Minister a few min
utes before him and conveyed the inti-
nations of what would happen il ia
pans demands were not met.
Dispatches received here describing
the situation in Paris declare that the
Japanese attitude is causing real alarm
in official circles of European powers
and the United States, They speak OF
constant efforts of Japan to acquire
concessions in China and Siberia and
of her demand for the Caroline and
Marshall Islands and other islands ii
the Pacific.
As regards the Pacific islands, claim:
of japan, the American position at th'
Peace Conference has been unofficial!
represented as one of opposition to an
nexations and of insistcnce upon the In
Standardization of all the Pacific
islands ~talxen from Germany. Th'
Marshall and Caroline groups lie direct
~ east of the Philippines.
The Carbohydrates controversy cen
: ters upon the Japanese claims regard
ing Shantung province, where Japan ha
taken over the German holdings baset
upon the old Tsingtao concession. Unde
! the treaty of 1915 between Japan an,
China, which the latter claims wa
signed under duress, Japan was to re
turn to China after the war all tn
former German holdings except that
Japanese stttement was to be permit
ted at Tsingtao, or that this port, whicl
virtually gives command OF the entir
province of Shantung. should be inter
nationalized II tho Peace Conferenc
should so decide.
sasa= Paris advices have indicated tina
<. Japan was pressing for continued pos
session of Tsingtao. which the Ch mes
delegates to the Peace Conference in
sist should be returned TO China with
out restrictions Dispatches frsm Chin
have announced that Japan had demand
ed that China disavow the activities @
her delegates in Paris and that she mus
work in harmony with Japan at tn
Peace Conference. Japan was bringin
financial pressure to'bear TO secure sue
action, II was said. The Chinese Minis
try was represented as fearing 1t woul
have to comply. through necessity, wit
Japan s demands. q
The agreement of September last wa
that made by japan to loan China 20
O0O, 900 yen on the account of Shantun
<ailway construction. China has neve
\ ratified that agreement, 1t appears. a
though funds were advanced by Japa
under II.