Evening journal., 1919-08-01
HERE'S JAPS' STORY
OF SHAkTUNG DEAL
Secretary OF Embassy Says
Territory Is to be Re-
turned to China
BY A. z. GELDHoF.

WASHINGTON, ID. e., Aug. IL have
obtained from the japanese embassy a
statement explaining The attitude OF
/ the Mlkado's government toward the
so-called "Shantung settlement In the
peace treaty, which is now the main
stumbling block 10 the path Of ratif-
cation Of the treaty by the L. 5. SEN
ate.
THIS statement makes II clear that
Japan has no intention Of making a
public pronOuncement OF rs policy to-
ward the Chinese concessions awarded
10 under the treaty. either now or
later. Both President Wilson and the
British government have hinted to
Japan that it should make such an an
nouncement
In the absence OF the ambassador,
Hrota. secretary Of the embassy, spoke
for his government, in an interview
for The Evening Journal.
Japan feels that 10 is unnecessary
10 make a promise 10 the allies or TO
China that she will return the Shan
tung territory TO China" he said. "be-
cause 10 has already made such
promise, and has repeated u many
times over.
1T was first made in the treaty with
China signed in 1915. after Japan had
taken possession OF Kiaochow by con
quest from The Germans. In this
treaty China agreed 20 recognize any
agreement made between Germany and
Japan In the peace treaty relative TO
The leased territory
At The same time Japan agreed that.
+ given absolutely free disposal Of the
tcrril0ry 10 would return 10 10 China
subject 10 these four conditions:
e. Kiaochow TO be opened as al
commercial port.
- Japan 10 have the right TO es-
tablish a Japanese settlement in the
territory
- Establishment, n desired by 9TH
er nations. OF an international settle
ment
3D. Arrangements 10 be made be-
tween The Chinese and japanese gov
crnments with respect 10 the German
owned properties in The territory.
ITO This treaty the japanese emper-
or affixed his signature. lie is the
highest power in The land What bet
ter promise could China ask than
that?
Japan will not break her word as
given N that treaty She Will return
months. az least within a year.
but why should she make a writ
len promise 10 the American Senain
that she will do So America is. after
all only a part Of the world-althOugh
a very important part
Baron Maxine al Par s already has
repeated this promise verbally. Wis
count Ishii repeated It before ne left
America; the foreign minister has re-
peaied it at Toxic. and my government
feels that It is not necessary to repeat
N again in writing Japan has never
broken its word
IT the truth were known 10 the
American people the deplorable misun-
which has arisen regard
ing Shantung would disappear
"It has been said that 100000 |
Chinese people have been turned over
TO Japan by the treaty. That Is far
from The truth kiaochOw is only q
small part Of Shantung province. q |
has an area Of but POS square miles I
and population OF some 100000 The |
real issues center about Kisochow. and /
TO speak Of Kiaochow is not TO speak I
Of Shantung
"The treaty Of peace provides that 1
Germany shall hand over 10 Japan !
within three months all documents q
ating TO The former lcasehold OF Kiao-
chow Until that IS done Japan can
not make sure Of the records or even
Of the size OF the territory she 3
granted by the treaty and cannot
therefore, open negotiations with China
n a business-like way.
The fact that China has refused 10
'ign the treaty also complicates the
.ituation China, by so refusing has
,roken the treaty OF 1915. but Japan
MI not break that treaty. She will
AIRY out her pledges al the earliest
'essible moment"