Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-05-09
The Chinese Settlement


The Chinese Settlement
The, Chinese are disappointed at
the decision of the peace conference
to give Kiao-Chau to Japan who rs
later TO restore it to China. They
are not only disappointed. but dis
illusioned and puzzled at the de-
eision which to them is not at all
consonant with the principles and
ideals by which the conference is
understood to be guided. They fail
to comprehend why Germanys
rights" in the Shantung peninsula,
wrung from China under duress IN
1897, and embodied in an agreement
to rent the port Of kiao-Chau to her
for 80 years should be virtually rec
ognizcd and confirmed by the confer
ence in granting the port TO Japan.
For Japan will become the real mis-
tress of Shantung province even
though she does agree to hand it
back to China in full sovereignty
within a year. BY the terms Of the
proposed settlement japan will re-
tain the economic privileges formerly
enjoyed by Germany, to wit: the
Tsingtao- Gilman railway. go miles
long, the mines connected with it
and the two railways to be built con-
Meeting Shantung with the two
trunk lines fron, ,'ekil to The ing
tse valley. In addition she obtains
the right to establish a settlement at
Tsingtao and although the aJpanese
military forces. it is understood. will
be withdrawn from Shantung at the
earliest possible moment, the en-
ployment Of special railway police
will be permitted. Thus Japan OBJ
tains through gift Of the peace con-
. ference virtual possession of a pro-
vince whose area is 1894 square
miles, about the size of the state Of
Wisconsin, and whose population is
estimated at $4,000 900 souls.
When Germany took over the pro-
vince in 1897 she made the first
thorough geological survey. The re-
port states that enough coal is de-
posted there to furnish the world
with fuel at the present rate for
thousand years. Iron. copper, zinc.
gold and silver are abundant in its
mountains Semi-precious stones
and pottery clay are other gifts of
nature. The geographical location of
the province and the configuration Of
it's coast make it the most valuable
section Of China. A vast network
Of canals built years ago increases
the navigation facilities and serves
as excellent irrigation bitches. Be-
sides dominating the province japan
will also be able to control China's
whole interior industry and trade
through the system Of inland rail-
ways which have terminals at Shan
tung cities. Thus a nation of some
60,0O0,0 900 people takes control OF a
nation of 4o0.O00.oo0.
Aside from the acQuision of badly
needed territory and priceless nat
ural resources, Japan has other rea-
sons for pressing her claims to sue
cess at Paris. In November, 1915.
when China in response to what she
believed to be the wishes Of the Eu-
ropean powers, sought to enter the
war, Japan's feelings were disclosed
by Baron Ishit who said his country
could not view without apprehen-
sion the moral awakening Of 400,-
100000 Chinese which would result
from thei: entering the war"
Japan's apprehension was finally
overcome, however. and she AL
lowed" China to enter the war, an
act monstrous in itself since Japan
had no sway or suserainty over
China. As a reward for Japan's gra-
cious indulgence she is to have
ShantunS'
Japan further makes it appear that
she is working for tho interest Of
China in the promotion Of democ-
racy. and the development Of Asia.
Close scrutiny however. reveals her
idea Of democracy as a kind Of bene-
violent despotism. and her intention
is not so much to keep other powers
out Of China as to keep herself in
China. 1t looks very much like a de-
liberate attempt to deceive the world
and she il getting away with it.
How does the proposed settlement
square with the IA points on which
all things hinge? In the first place,
the principle Of self-ketermination
which underlies them. it seems TO US
might be applied with justice to
Shantung which is inhabited by a
Chinese population.
The Wilson idea Of championinx
small or weak peoples against
stronger ones has some bearing on
this case. Japan has had a marvel