Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-07-24
SEES UNJUST VIEW
AS TO SHANTUNG.
Senator Robinson Declares
Japan Should Be Taken
at Her Word.
TREATY MISINTERPRETED

Declaring the treaty provision CIV
ing Japan control in Shantung had
been repeatedly misinterpreted and
generally misunderstood" Senator
Robinson, democrat. Arkansas, told
the Senate today it was unjust to sus-
pect Japan's motives or to question
the declaration Of her statesmen
that the territory eventually would
be restored to China.
III has been state6sshE tQnss eepas
AtOfs, said Mr.. RobfnS6H stHAf BY the
treaty shantung, with its 40.000,0o0
Inhabitants, is wrested from China
and presented to Japan. The terri
tory involved in this controversy is
limited to a small land area of ap-
proximately 200 square miles and an
equal water area. The total popula-
ton Of the leased area is approx
mately $4,000. ,,.
Tells of Germany's Claims.
Little dispute arises as to the
origin of Germans claims in this
area AS a part of the movement Of
the nations to secure concessions in
China, Germany, in 1886. undertook
in the Kiaochow region. These nego-
tiations were successful. March g..
1898, Germany concluded a treaty
with China by which she acquired a
lease Of ninety-nine years on both
sides of the Bay of Kiaochow.
THAT Germany regarded her rights
in Shantung as subject to seizure by
the allied nations at war with her is
disclosed by her efforts to anticipate
their occupation of the leased terri
tory Japan obtained possession by act
of war, and while in possession secured
the agreement of China to recognize
any settlement that she might make
peace.
Reafirm Purpose to Return.
~ Japanese statesmen have repeated
ly reaffirmed the purpose to return
the ceded territory to China as soon
as it can be accomplished in accord
ance with the agreement between
China and Japan. No beneficial effect
can result if we assume that Japan is
acting in bad faith. China can better
afford to rely on her treaty rights for
a return of the territory than to her
self breach that treaty and thus pro-
woke Japan to insist upon her claim
acquired from Germany through con-
quest, for that involves no obligation
to restore the territory before expira-
ton of the lease.
1T is said China was induced by
fear of war with Japan to enter into
the treaty Of 1915 agreeing to what
ever arrangements japan might make
with Germany. But every commercial
treaty of importance now in force be-
tween China and European nations Is
the result Of war or some other form
of duress If we go back into history
and invalidate every treaty into
which duress has entered, chaos in
international relations will result.
Sought Aid of Japan.
Senators have expressed indigna
ton at the agreement of Great Britain
and France during the war to sup
port Japan in her demands at the
peace conference. Perhaps the same
criticisms apply equally to the action
of the United States following these
agreements in recognizing the special
interests of Japan in China. 1t ia
said they were all made primarily to
encourage Japan to increased activi-
ties in the war. The crisis of the war
was approaching, II not at hand. The
allies were straining every resource
to beat back the ever-increasing
forces Of the enemy.
II believed then and I still believe
that the policy by which Japan was
cemented to the allies was both just
and wise. The influences now at work
to cause China to hold out do not ap-
near calculated to result in benefit to
either China or this country"