The Topeka state journal., 1919-08-22
Not Broad Enough To Prevent
Shantung Steal, Wilson Felt.
Prof. w Williams,Advise at Paris,
Gives First Hand Story.
SAYS NE 'OBJECTED STRONGLY
England and France We're
Bound by Secret Treaty.
Wilson Didn't Think japan
Would Confess She Used Force.


Wilson Gelt that unfortunately" his
fourteen peace points were not broad
enough to enable him to prevent the
transfer of Shantung TO Japan, Prof
E. T. williams. Far Eastern expert
who was technical adviser to the
American peace delegation in Paris,
told the senate foreign relations COM
mittee today.
A first hand story of the negotia-
tions which resulted in the treaty pro-
vision giving Japan control in Shan
tung province of China, was told by
Professor Williams. Professor Will
liams said he had "objected very
strongly to the Shantung settlement,
but that his resignation from the
peace commission was not duet his
opposition.
On April 22, the witness said, Pres
ident Wilson sent for him and asked
him which of the proposed alterna-
tives would be less injurious to China
the transfer of the German Shan
the execution of Japan's treaty with
China growing out of the famous
twenty-one demands of 1915.
Bound by Secret Treaties.
"I replied" continued williams,
that hoped neither course would be
found necessary. The president said
that unfortunately Great Britain and
France were bound by certain engage
ments with Jaran to support Japan's
| claims in Shantung and that Lloyd
George said he would bow only on the
consideration that the 1915 treaty was
executed.
"The president added that the war
seemed to have been fought to estab-
/ lish the sanctity of treaties and while
! some of them were unconscionable. it
looked as tho it would be necessary to
recognize them"
Exacted by Force.
The witness said he suggested that,
since the 1915 treaty-was exacted by
| force 1t ought not to be binding. but
that the president replied Japan might
not be willing to recognize that they
were made by force. Professor Will
liams then suggested that the treaty
have a blanket provision that all Ger
man property in China should be
| turned over to China and that any
rig hts taken from Germany by japan
should be returned to China within
one year.
! Later the expert advisers OF. the
British, French and American delega-
tions Joined in a memorandum saying
| that transfer of the German Shan
| tung rights to Japan would be the
more desira bic of the two courses sug-
gested. Professor Williams and Nc
Clay, a British expert, Joined in a
memorandum saying China ought not
be compelled to accept either alterna-
| tive.
Fourteen Points Wouldn't Cover.
'I asked the president" said Profes-
sor williams, whether the proposed
| settlement was not contrary to his
fourteen points and he said that un-
fortunately he did not think there was
any thing in the fourteen points ex.
actly covering the case. Later called
| attention to his Mount Vernon ad-
dress which seemed to cover the
matter"
did the president make any re-
sponse - asged Senator Johnson, Re
publican. California.
II only received a note from the
pre- sidents secretary thanking me fol
the memorandum"
Two days later Professor Williams
said he was informed of the decision
taken. adding that DR.. 8. X. Horn.
beck, the other American advisor or
Far Eastern affairs. had concurred ir
ob1ecting but that they did not I'll,
a protest after the decision was an
nounced.
Didn't Cause Resignation.
Asked whether his resignation wa
due to any particular reason" thu
witness replied:
mo. My leave Of absence from th'
university or California was about 4
expire. would have come home ii
any case"
In reply to question as to wha
effect the Shantung decision nigh
have in China, Professor William
. said:
II felt It would raise a strong pro
! test from China and was tending &
: strife rather than to peace. l felt
was also Injurious to our own interests
as China had entered the war unde
our advice and that by the transfe
; of the rights to Japan. we would los
prestige in the Far East.
Will Keep Promise, But
: MY own opinion is the decision wa
E an unfortunate one. that the lease
) territory of Kiao Chow and the rail
: ways and mines of Shantung ordinaT
lily would have gone to China at tn
conclusion of peace; that they ha
/ been taken from China by force an
: by an act of piracy.
! "I have not the slightest doubt tina
Japan will carry out her promise. bu
the promise is very unsatisfactor,
. because when the 99year lease e1
, pires she retains control Of the pol
, of Using Tao, so that there virtual
will be nothing to hand back"