The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-07-17
JAP CONTROL
Of SHANTUNG
IS ATTACKED

WASHINGTON, July 17.-Urging the
senate to refuse acceptance of the
Shantung provision in the peace treaty,
Senator Sherman, Republican, Illinois,
declared today that the section giving
Japan control Of Shantung peninsula
so taints and poisons the professed
altruism with which the league Of, ma
tons was heralded as to crown it the
superlative treachery in the history of
modern times"
The provision, asserted the speaker.
would aid Japan in becoming "the saber
rattler OF the world" and strengthen
her for the day when she might try,
like Germany, for world empire. In
such an eventuality, he continued. and
with British and Japanese interests in
the Orient, identical" the United
States might well look to the safety Of
the Philippines.
Why China should be exploited" he
said, her territory absorbed in the
guise of leaseholds, her port cities domi-
mated by alien powers, her mining and
railway rights seized by Japan, does
not appear except under the rule Of
covetous desire coupled with military
force.
1T is material to notice under the
Japanese constitution the emperor has
the supreme command of the army and
navy declares war, makes peace, and
concludes treaties. The kaiser could do
no more in the days he menaced Eu-
rope and the world. 1t is as plain as
the MONDAY sun that the government
is autocratic and that it will add
Chinese province upon province, con-
Cession upon concession until an Asiatic
kaiser will dominate the affairs of Asia
and the Pacific ocean.
How Huns Worked.
I'm 1897 Germany, processing to be
exasperated by the murder Of two ex-
lied German missionaries by ignorant
fanatics In Shantung, sent Germany s
warships to the bay, bombarded the
ports, landed troops and occupied the
territory. In settlement she compelled
the Chinese government to sign So
year lease with concessions for rail-
way building and mining. A mere lease
Of property by one government to an
other does not divert the lesser govern
ment of sovereignty of the territory SO
leased. Japan entered the war for the
express purpose of driving the Germans
+, out of the leased territory. The ex-
pulsion of Germany gave Japan nc
sovereign rights there which she has
since assumed,
"TSe harshness of Japanese occupa-
tion, the erue!ties inflicted on the help
less Inhabitants. the seizure Of property
and the resulting looting irresistiblS
turn ones thoughts to the German con-
duct In Belgium. We denounced one
in unmeasured terms. We are asked
TO approve the other and declare I
justified in q holy cause.
Japan Intends, we are told, In .
limited time, to withdraw from Shan
tiing and return that country to tht
Chinese. In every instance in which
Japan has pledged herself on the con-
tlnent of Asia to occupy temporarily
she has made that occupancy perma'
"The United States exercises sover.
eighty in the Philippines. Japan's ex.
pansion Is seaward as well as landward
Her ambition covers the Pacific ocean
as well as the Asiatic mainland. With
Germany in perpetual intrigue, it is nc
far inference that practical partition
resulting from a union of those two
powers In Europe and Asia is no impos-
sible event.
Japs Will Hold on.
Japan assumes sovereign rights ovel
Chinese territory. Mere refinement o.
language or specious Interpretation viii
not remove this impending truth. Japar
will not surrender this advantage SC
gained. Article 10 and the portion oi
the treaty relating to Shantung are
twin brothers of common iniquity
They speak the language of joint out
rage ad bear all the evidence of delib'
crate prearranged conspiracy.
"Great Britain bore a large part ir
the war. The life blood of Great Brit
ain is her foreign trade. We are with
out adequate experience in foreign
trade. We are upon the threshold o.
that experiment. Great Britain is keen
ly observant of our course. She ha:
been void of sentiment and sometimes
Of humanity in breaking down and de-
stroying her rivals.
1--WE have denied Japan the right o.
immigration for her subjects. 1t is
wound to their pride. We are vulner.
able in the Philippines. Our great frient
lies beyond in the people of the Chinese
republic. In our day of peril it mus
be remembered that the interests o
are identical
"We can defend ourselves. It will b
heavy price to pay, but i VIII be paid
We may lose the Philippines. Oui
greatest friend may then be the Chinese
people, whom today we are asked t.
humihate and dismember."