The sun., 1919-08-27
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NO GAIN FOR CHINA
IN STANDING ALOOF
Versailles Treaty Declared to
Be More Favorable Than
That Of 1915.
NO WAR TALK IN JAPAN
People Seek Peaceful Com
merce With Big Neighbor,
Says Kenkichi Mort.
NO WAR TALK IN JAPAN
BY KENKICHI MORT.


snce in itself, comparatively speaking,
the discussion regarding Shantung con-
unues to lead the programme of the
day. It has been made plain by the
testimony given by DR.. f. T. Williams
before the Senate Foreign Relations
Commttee a few days ago that the set
Element arrived at in Paris would be
less Injurious to China than the execu-
lion by her of the treaty of 1915 with
Japan.
Taking It for granted that Japan has
no intention of being unfair to China, a
careful study of the whole question fully
sistains this view. for the terms OF the
Versailles treaty are much more favor
able to China than those contained in
the treaty of 1915. Therefore. the only
advisable course for China in restoring
reace to the country seems to be to ac-
cede to the treaty of peace with Ger
many BY her accession she viii secure
the blessings OF many beneficial arrange
ments contained in that instrument,
while It is unlikely that she can sue
cessfully effect a modification in the
Shantung settlement by standing aloof
from Japan and her allies.
II may be that there is no merit in
the argument that Chinas declaration of
war against Germany vitiated not only
the German lease and concessions in
that country but the treaty with Japan
DR.. ]. c. Fergusons authority to the
contrary Notwithstanding. DR.. Ferguson
draws his authority from the opinions
OF some of the European jurists, accord
ing to the newspaper reports. but he
does not produce these opinions for q
critical study
At any rate, the binding force Of the
tDo ~ t.
have been conceded by President Wilson
from DR.. Williamss statement that the
President requested him to ''hle a re-
port on the question whether it would
be better for China II the German rights
In Shantung were transferred directly
and unquahhedly to Japan or the Japa-
nese- Chinese treaty of May rs. 1915,
were carried out"
KiaO-Chau Menace Removed,
Kiao-Chau was a menace to the Allies,
being Far Eastern colony of Germany,
and Japan occupied the port and took
possession of the German interests in
Shantun. as a necessary war measure
Her position there is so legally forti-
fed that she will no doubt insist upon
the full execution OF the treaty of 1915
should the Versailles arrangements fail
This state of affairs would produce I'M
certainties in the Far East If China re-
mains recalcitrent to. her treaty obli-
cations, or would result in what has
been characterized by the Far Eastern
experts of the United States, Great
Britain and France as more injurious
10 China than the direct and unqualified
transfer of the German rights to Japan.
In such an eventuality nobody can
Justly censure Japan for her insistence
on the execution of the treaty of
1915, because China, besides agree
ing to the transfer of these rights.
observed the terms OF the agree
ments OF 1918, which were concluded
as sequel 10 the treaty of 1915 in OBJ
tanning from Japan a loan of 10000, 900
yen II was mainly Japan's material
assistance which enabled China-more
properly north Climate partici.
pate in the war. for the southern fac
ton would rather have befriended Ger-
many, as shown by the utterances of its
leaders prior to China's entrance into
the conflict. Had 1t not been for that
aid, the japanese assert, China would
never have been in the war and would
never have been permitted to sit at the
Peace Conference.
Japan would have been a gamer II
the terms OF the treaty OF 1915 were
spirit Of compromise and Cancellation,
proposing the opening of Kiao-Chau as
commercial port, the establishment of
an International settlement and the
Joint management OF the Tsingtao- Tsin-
anu Railway. II would be a mista Ike
70 expect further concession from the
Japanese Government on this question.
1t went as far as 1t could reasonably
20 without humiliating the nation, espe-
cAlly In respect TO the wishes of the
United States. despite the criticism
against the course it has taken. More
over, the Government is criticised for
allowing the Chinese to appear as a
plaintiff before the Council of Five over
an issue which was regarded as already
settled between Japan and China.
Japan Not Thinking of War.
II must be admitted that criticisms uf
this Kind have the hearty approval OF
the people who believe that they are
entitled to full hearing on this and other
questions concerning China. Ttey think
mat The seemingly discriminatory tone OF
certain Senators is most unfortunate
Japan, they say, is wiling to cooperate
with the United States and other Pow
ers IN China, but her legitimately ac-
euires rights and interests there must
pe respected as long as the ncquist ions
OF the European Powers are respected
aho as long as the principle OF the open
uor and equal opportunity has no ex-
tended application to other parts OF
the world They have no idea Of die
putting the rights either OF the United
states or Of China, or OF any other ma
uon. and they have never doubted the
Justice Of their claims
var between the United States and
Japan has been freely prophesled BY
some Of the men supposedly acquainted
with the affairs of the Far East, II the
Senate does not modify CT reverse the
shantung decision. The japanese people
40 not believe that there Is any pos.
hoi!ity OF a war between the two Pow
.rs but, frankly. they think that they
are quite free from responsibility II II
should come What must be emphasized
mere Is that the so-called authorities or
the Far Eastern affairs are evadhIS the
zeal issue thrust upon them. unless LleS
are ignorant OF the domestic and for
elgn policies Of Japan. Whichever tins
Case they do not always speak th'
truth. They are attempting to misrepre
sent Japan and are dealing an almos
irretrIsvable blow 90 her relations with
this nation.
internally Japan Is in a state of tran
suon, The most pressing problem witt
her Is that of food and employment foi
her people. The rapid increase OF hel
population and the exhaustion OF hel
SOL, coupled with the restrictions i'm
posed by this and other countries upor
her immigrants. make her entirely de-
pendent upon Chinas resources ant
mArts The economic foundation OF thu