Evening star., 1919-02-08
As to Tsing-tao.

After outlining the successive sur
renders by Japan in the interests of
peace after the Chinese war and the
waving of all money indemnity fol-
lowing the war with Russia, the state
ment comes up to the taking of Using
tao from Germany after Germany had
refused to accept the ultima tum of
August, 1914, under which Japan de-
manded that Germany vacate Using
tao.
Japan is now pledged to return to
China this harbor and port, built with
German money, together with the
territory of Kiao-chau, which China
will receive eighty years sooner than
she could possibly have secured it,"
the statement continues. otherwise
the treaty of 1915. under which this
restoration is to be made, contains no
secret clauses. and an agreement en-
tered into in September, 1918, regard
ing future Chino-Japanese co-opera-
ton in Shantung, contains no stipula-
ton which is more or less than
just and mutually helpful settlement
OF outstanding question.
Laid Before Powers.
These documents, with all their
clauses. have been laid before the
powers, including America. Japan
does not seek more than fair division
in this work of development. We
realize that a great change has taken
place in the dealings between the ma
tions to be represented in the league
of nations. II that league is to be of
any value its rules must prohibit
selfish aggression, exploitation and
discrimination. We seek no territory
in China and ask only for friendly
cooperation and the maintenance of
peaceful relations"
After a brief reference to Siberia.
in which the baron points out that
Japanese troops were sent with their
own agreement with those of the
United States and the allies, he says:
I'VE have now Withdrawn the major
portion of these troops and We win be
glad when the day arrives on which
all troops may be Withdrawn and an
orderly government set up in Russia"
Claims Islands.
Caroline groups of islands as peopled
by wild and practically savage tribes,
Baron Maxine says:
I'VE claim the right to occupy these
islands for purposes of peaceful de-
veiopment. A national sense of dig
nifty inspires the whole people of
Japan to the conviction that any other
disposition would be reflection on
US, and the handing over of the super
vision of these islands would be
Just recognition OF what services we
rendred in maintaining the commerce
of the Pacific and assisting our allies
in the Indian ocean and the Mediter-
ranean. We contend and shall con-
tinue to contend, that Japan should
control the islands north of the equa-
tor and that the future of the wild
tribes inhabiting the islands must de-
pend upon the development of their
civilization, development which
Japan most certainly will not retard -
Continuing, Baron Maxine says
The government and people of Japan
nave been the loyal allies of Great
Britain and France and. We believe
useful friends to the United States and
Russia. 1t is not for me here to enter
into a relation in detail of the services
we rendered in this war. It is suffi-
cient to say that what has been given
or spent and what has been lost In the
cause for which the allies fought and
won has been contributed in the spirit
! of loyalty and sympathy, and the
| Japanese delegates to this conference
| are here to assist in the work of
building up barriers against future
wars and in forging the links of
| friendship and understanding between
the nations of the east and the west"