New-York tribune., 1919-04-25
L. 5. Experts
Favor China i'm
Slnantung Case
President Wilson Believed
sympathetic. but Secret
Pacts with Japan Hold
Britain and France Back
Nc'o York Tribune
.SDr-,ni Tchir S<y-.,c~

Nc;c York Tribune
Special Ccble Service
Copyright, 1919, New York Tribune Inc
PARIS, April 24.-It may be said on
the highest authority that the solu-
ton Of the Shantung problem, as
draw up by the experts on Far East
ern affairs attached to the United
States peace delegation, is for frank,
uncompromising support of the Chinese
demand that the return of Shantung
territory TO China should be decided
ty the peace conference at once, and
this concession made an integral part
Of the peace treaty.
Further. there is good reason to be.
lieve President Wilson sympathizes
fully with the Chinese attitude, but re-
marked recently that he didn't "know
what he could DO" Complete mystery
shrouds the attitude Great Britain will
fnally be willing to take. for her posi-
ton is complicated by strong pro
Chinese feeling here. France appears
tc be waiting FOR Great Britain to
taNe the lead.
Secret Agreements Signed
IS America going to pull the French
and British chestnuts out OF the fire
in the Chino-Japanese question, Just
as n the Italian problem is the ques-
ton being asked here.
With regard to Shantung as also IN
the case OF Dalmatia, there are secret
agreements, signed by Great Britain
and France, and, as with Italy, the
chi2f strength OF the Japanese claim
is il these agreements Great Britain
and trance would certainly be glad to
gel rec, but their. only chance of
escape is by means of the United
States.
Brefy, tbs situation Is this: The
council Of four had hoped to defer
the solution OF the shantung problem
BY grouping it with other German pre-
war possessions in a general renuoia,
fen clause to he signed ny Germany,
leaving ITS detailed treatment 20 a
later and ealmer day het when the
question was taken up the Japanese
stepped 90 with ihs contention that
ihs shantung affair was matter he
tween Themselves and China alone,
sihes Il was regulated by The agree.
meni entsfed inso with china ia 1918,
in which II VAS set forth that China
recognized Japan rights 20 succession
TO all German privileges IN Shantung
Province, providing cession by Ger
many we're obtained.
Chinese Charge Threats
This tnal stipulation naturally was
inserted. since at that time the issue
Of the war was still doubtful and
both sides desired TO safeguard them
selves against Germany.
When the Council Of Four took up
the proposition it seemed clear cut.
The Chinese countered the agreement
Of 1918 by showing that it was entered
INTO as d result OF thinlv yelled threats.
and insisted further that thc ridicu-
'ously small losses OF the Japanese in
he capture Of Shantung did not Justify
the demand for reparation for their
sacrifices.
The general expectation was that a
decision would be handed down favor
nG emma claims. which would be ac-
cepted gracefully By Japan or the
realization that the Overwhelming ma
}oriry was against her. The assent.
however. was not Forthcoming from
Great Britain and France. while Italy
Vas frankly Indifferent. The Tribune
IS now able TO state the reason for this
Indifference.
Japanese Concession Recognized
There Is in existence an agreement
between Great Britain and Japan. dated
feoruary, 1917. In which Great Britain
'ormally recognizes Japan's succession
10 ~nantung and TO The North Pacific
Islands. There is in existence an agree