The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-08-09
JAP AN PLAN
FOR SHANTUNG
Official Statement Of Intentions
of Nippon Government to
Be Issued Soon
EXPECT TO CLEAR
UP SITUATION

Awaiting Formal Declaration
With Great Interest
4 tentions IN the Chinese province of
Shantung, where she is given control
by the Versailles treaty, soon are to
( be%Set forth in formal declaration
from the Tokyo government, accord
ing to- information received today in
official circles here.
Although the exact nature of the
declaration was not forecast, it was
assumed it would follow the lines Of
the repeated statements of japanese
statesmen that the province eventu-
ally is to be returned to China In
some quarters it was believed Japan
might even set a date for the restora-
fon and acknowledge publicly the
secret understanding she is said to
have with China on that subject.
The reported decision of the ,Japa-
nsse government to make known its
purpose1is believed to be the out
xroWth of informal diplomatic conver-
sa1Sons between Washington and
Tokyo rejecting the American govern
naent,s desire that all the facts in the
case be given to the public. President
Wilson had told many senators that
ascoznplete exposure Of the case would
throw a new light on the Shantung
provision, which has been one Of the
points of attack in senate opposition
to. the treaty's ratification.
Although it had been known for sew
esa days that a development was i'm
ulinent, there had been much specu-
latioln In senatorial and diplomatic
cncles whether the japanese govern
inent itself would speak On the sub
ject or would remain silent and per-
NIT the disclosure Of Japan's prom
! ise regarding Shantung to come from
I Mr.. Wilson Tonight conjecture had
shifted TO the questions whether the
japanese declaration would be con-
sidered by the president as fully dis
closing the situation and what effect
sitWould have on the prospect Of rati-
MEcation Of the treaty.
szga News. OF the expected development
regarding Shantung reached she CAPT
;toI after. the foreign relations COM
nliftae had opened the way to other
Important disclosures by asking Sec
1gfary Lansing TO come before it We'd
snesday to discuss features Of the
treaty. It is expected the sessions
will be public and that some Of the
committee members will want the sec
fo1I Of 1o
i Of how the treaty with its league OF
natiens covenant, was drawn up at
Versailles.
With the .reassembling of the senate
after the weekend recess there was
nailch discussion among senators as to
the possible effect of the prohibition
+ iszue on the ratification fight. The
subject became conspicuous through
an interview between a representa-
tive of the liquor interests and Sena-
tor Hitchcock, Democrat, Nebraska,
leader Of the pro-treaty forces, at
which the former is said to have urg-
ed that peace be concluded so Presi-
dent Wilson could suspend war time
prohibition. Senator Hitchcock said
he told mis- caller that the only way
state of peace could be established
vas by ratification Of the treaty. and
remarked that ratification was being
opposed by some with whom the
wets had been influential.
Ever since President Wilson made
st clear month ago that he consider
ed 1t impossible to declare mobiliza-
tiou complete and thus make prohibi-
tfon suspension possible until peace
has been established, treaty oppon-
ents have charged that the ,iouoE in
terests were being lined up 10 force
ratification. Senator Hitchcock said
today, however, that there had been
no effort Of that sort and none was
contemplated.
Mr. Hitchcock said the call from
the liquor agent was entirely at the
1atter's solicitation and that the
treaty had been discussed only after
the agent had asked him to use his
influence with the president to have
prohibition suspended. This the SEN
sator said. he refused to do.
Although the Senate spent most of
It's day discussing the high cost of liv-
South Dakota made speech an
nouncing he could not vote for the
treaty without reservations and Sen
ator Sherman, Republican. Illinois.
criticised President Wilson for his at
titude regarding Fiume. Senator
Swanson, Democrat, Virginia, put
gffio the record letter from David
Hunter Miller, who was connected
with the league Of nations section of
the peace conference. declaring it the
intention Of the covenant that any
nation wishing to withdraw should It
self judge whether its obligations had
been fulfilled.
Continuing its questioning Of eco
romic advisers to the Versailles con-
ference. the foreign relations commit
tee today heard Norman Davis rala
tive to financial provisions Of the
treaty.
arrangements were made to have
the senate adjourn from tomorrow TO
FRIDAY so that the committee sessions