Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-04-23
MORE THAN ONE SECRET
DEAL BETWEEN ALLIES
Great Britain and France, Early ir
1917, Had Agreed to Japan's
Policy as to China.
NOT ACCEPTABLE TO AMERICA
Concessions Forced From China b.;
Tokyo, Under Demand OF Secrecy,
Later Agreed to by Entente, May
not BE Sanctioned by America.
BY JUSTIN McGRATu.

WASHINGTON. April 22.-I, now
appears that the sccYet treaty be-
tween Great Britain and Italyy by which
Italy was guaranteed possession of the
DalInatian coast. was not tho only
secret arrangement entered into by
The allies in contravcntion OF rrcsi-
dent Wilson'S fourteen points.
There was also 4 secret understands
Ing between Great Britain and France
and Japan. by which the British and
TO recognition of the Legitimacy of
Japan,s claim to possession OF the Ger
equator and also the concessions which
Japan demanded of China in return for
JJapan.s evacuation of the Shantung
Peninsula, taken over by Japan early
in the war.
Came mn Surprise to Americana.
Reports from Paris state that tho
revelation of the secret arrangement
between Great Britain and France and
Japan relative TO Japan's claim TO the
Pacific islands and valuable rights in
Shantung came as complete surprise
high comm SSion.
l place credit in these reports be-
Paris the attitude of the American
high commission was that China was
Justified in resisting Japan's demands
to rights and concessions in Shantung.
which. 1t was held. would give Japan
practical control of that rich province.
The Chinese contention was that the
conceded and the concessions made to
japan was signed by China under com
they, were given tho. alternative either
of signing the treaty offered or hav-
ing japan declare its possession of
ShautunE permanent
Was Not to Tell OF Conpulsion.
Moreover 1t was declared by the
Chinese that one of the conditions
imposed on China by Japan was that
maon to Srop PC s0ns allies any Of the
coercion used by Japan to compel ac-
centance OF it's demands,
know, pu! faith in these rcPrsssnts-
lions Of the Chinese. The attitude in
January was one OF resistance to
inclined to the view that The treaty
between the two Oriental nations deal
ing. with the German Pacific islands
tung should not be permitted TO be-
come operative.
it must have been great surprise to
them to learn that japan. in February,
1917. had brought her claims to the
French governments. and had had them
Endorsed.
1t will be interesting and important
to watch the future attitude of tho
American commission toward these
claims Of japan to the German hold
TO them. America Will lose some OF the
great prestige ii now has in China.
And If they refuse to subscribe to them,
She hTs a new grievance.
Not in Accord With Platform.
The treaty of London. recognizing
1talys right to claim the eastern coast
OF the Adriatic. was not rcconcilablc
with number one of President Wilson'S
fourteen points, which declared in
favor OF open covenants of peace.
without private international under
And the secret agreement. which i,
is now made known has existed for
two years between Great Britain and
France and Japan. is in clear violation
or numbers five and fourteen of the
declaring that there must be an i'm
partial adjustment of all colonial
claims based upon the principle that
weight with the interest OF the gov
eminent. and number fourteen declar-
ing in favor of tho preservation of the
territorial integrity of large and small
states alike.
thority. that President Wilson was not
without wledge Of the treaty OF (
message containing the famous four
teen points. But no difficulty was ex-
pccted over the London treaty, because |
the collapse of Austria rendered it UNI
opposition to 1taly's acquisition of the
eastern Adrtatic coast At that time I
the issue between Italy and the Iugo-
slaVs over F1ume had not been raised |
Real Difficulty in China.
But the secret treaty between Great
Britain and France and Japan. with
respect to Kiauchau and Shantung
rehinSuia concessions presents a very
real diilcuity, for that treaty is ire /
tons under which President Wilson de-
clafed world peace should be nego-