The Republican journal., 1919-09-11
SHANTUNG.

Sha ntung is one of the erstwhile prov
InCes of China and is one of the richest
an natural resources. 1t has about twice
the area of the State of Maine and con-
sderably larger area than England and
Wales Its population is not definitely
known but it is safe to say that it is as
large as that of England and As times
larger than that of Maine. the storm
center of debate in Congress has swayed
over Shantung for weeks and such has
been the diversity of opinions and argu-
ments presented by men of national note,
that the reading public is confused and
does not know what to believe. There
are three questions to be answered before
an understanding of the whole matter
can be had. First, What rights has ia
pan in Shantung? Second, Does Japan
intend to keep her promise to return
Shantung to China, and when, if we rat
fly the treaty? Third, Ought we to ratify
it with the Shantung provision in it un-
less Japan shall withdraw before we rat
" DAN~
withdraw? When these questions are
specifically answered there will be no
need for debate The first of the above
questions should be answered before the
others are considered. Without assum-
ing to answer this question we submit
few 'undisputed facts which. we will
briefly state.
In the early part of the year 1907 Shan
tung was a province of China and her
title to it was clear and undsputed. In
the latter part of that year two German
missionaries were murdered there. Rep
aration by concession in the province
was demanded by Germany and Prince
Henry. brother of the Kaiser, appeared
IN the harbor OF Kaiochow, in Shantung,
with fleet of battleships to enforce the
demand. Germany had powerful fleet,
China had none. Next to Russia Ger
many had the largest army in the world.
China had no army worth mentioning
and was compelled to give Germany
everything for which she asked. In
March 1898 China yielded and gave Ger
many a 90 year lease of haiochow Bay
and all the lands within 80 miles of it.
The lease or treaty provided that 1.-THE
Chinese dwelling in the Ceded territory
might remain there if they behaved and
their land was not needed for other pur-
poses. In 1899, 1900 and 1905 Germany
forced China to sign other treaties so
tina in 1914 she had two lines of railroad
running through Shantung, each some
100 miles Long, and the right to hold and
operate mines fo- a distance Of 10 miles
on ach side of both railroads along their
whole length. This virtually gave Ger
many controlsof thesentire province, OBJ
tanned by. duress, as, compensation for
the murder Of two missionaries.
August 8, 1914. Germany declared war
on France and the next day Great Brit
ain declared war on Germany China
saw her opportunity and offered to take
Shantung from Germany. Japan said
no. Great Britain andNFrance asked
IudJ Japan NOUlu ipclIHlt SlIud W leHI
for the possession Of what she considered
to be her own and Japan again said no
In 10 days after England declared war
against Germany, Japan began hostile !
operations against Germany, in Shan
tung, after making demand for her
Chinese possessions. This demand unre-
servedly stated that "the occupied terri
tory viii be returned to China" By force |
Of arms Japan forced Germany to yield !
Shantung into her hands and she at once
occupied it. Was Germany's title to .
Shantung good title? Do the facts war
rant tie indefinite and perhaps permanent |
possession of this province,by Japan, and |
IN view of the facts, is it right for US to
ratify the treaty with the Shantung pro-
vision as a part of it9 We will not argue
about this; we leave conclusions to our
readers.