The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1919-08-15
JAPAN ON sHANTUNG.

While the statement OF the Jap
anese foreign minister on the IN
tention Of Japan to withdraw hen
troops from Shantung as soon as
an agreement has been concluded
with China, adds nothing that
was not already known in con
nection with the matter, it ought
to have a wholesome effect upon
the situation created by the un-
warranted agitation at Washing
ton. says the Fort Worth Star
Telegram.
Ii will not satisfy China unless
the attitude Of the Chinese gov
ernment changes, and until China
makes d move, no definite date
can be fixed for the withdrawal
Of Japanese troops But it is am
evidence that Japan recognizes
the fact that she must live up to
her agreements to the letter and
that she is conscious OF. the good
policy of assuring the powers OF
her intention to do so. That Klau-
chow is to be made an interna-
tional instead Of a purely Japan
ese settlement is new, Of course,
but provision was lnade in agree.
ments with China that an interna-
tionaI settlement might be estab-
lished in addition to a japanese
settlement. The chief fact con
nected with the statement that is
Of significance is that Japan
should have made it at ALL
There never was any justifica-
ton for the charge made repeat
edly on the floor of the United
States senate that millions of
Chinese were to be handed over
to japanese rule. - The statement
that Japan does not mean to
claim any rights affecting the ter
ritorial sovereignty Of China,
therefore, will not be news to
anyone who has examined the |
question from an unbiased stand |
point But it will come as di-
rect official reply to much of the |
loose talk and ought to stop it.
Regarding the effect Of the
Shantung settlement upon China, |
former President Taft recently |
wrote as follows:
How much prejudiced is Chi
ma by this result Of the ware
Japan is not likely to have any
more spirit of encroachment than
Germany would have had. Sena-
tor Borah and Senator johnson
were certainly not in favor Of cur
going to war with Germany to
take the Shantung rights away
from her Are they in favor of
doing so now with Japan2 Do
they advocate conscription for the
"The worst thing that could
happen to China would be the
failure of the league Of nations:
Japan could then work her eX-
plotting purpose with China with :,
little or no restraint from us. The |
league of nations offers to. China
a full opportunity to bring Japan
before the tribunals of the league
and before the considered public
opinion of the world over any
schemes Of Japan to secure furth-
er dominion over the Chinese re-
public.
"The membership, therefore, of
China and Japan in the league is
Of the highest Importance to Chi
ma and greatly more to be desired
Than the mere restoration TO Chi
ma of Kiaouehow and the eeonom-
c rights in the Shantung railway, Il
.ong ago parted with. They are
no friends of China who seek by
agitation of this Shantmg mat
.er to destroy the League Of Ma
ions and TO leave China without
my of its protection against
Japan.
An amendment striking out the
provisions of the treaty 4
insisted on by the senate will GER
ainly be objected TO by Japan
md by the allied powers, who are
'ound to Japan by contract in
his matter and will greatly de
ay the ratification of the treaty
nd endanger the League of Ma
ions" il