The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1919-07-29
SHANTUNG SETTLEMENT
DEFENDED BY ROBINSON
Arkansas Senator Declares 1t Is
Wrong to Suspect Motives
of Japan.

Washington. July 24.-Declaring
the treaty provision giving Japan
control in Shantung had been "re-
peatedly misinterpreted and general
ly misunderstood" Senator Robin
son, Democrat, of Arkansas, told the
senate today it was unjust to suspec,
Japan's motives or to question the
declaration of her statesmen that the
territory eventually would be re-
stored to China. ut has been stated
by one senator" said Mr.. Robinson.
that by the treaty. Shantung with
its 40,OO0,000 inhabitants, is wrested
from China and presented TO Japan.
The territory involved in this is lin
tied to small land area of approx
mately 200 square miles and an equal
water area with Il total population of
approximately 10000
Little dispute arises as to the
origin of Germany's claims in this
area. AS a part of the movement Of
the nations to secure concessions m
China. Germany il 1896 undertook
negotiations for rights and privileges
in the kiao Chow region. These ne
gotiations were successful. March 6,
1898, Germany concluded treaty
with China by which she acquired a
lease of SO years on both sides of the
Bay of Kiao Chow.
That Germany regarded her rights
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
an act of war and while in possession
secured the agreement of China to
recognize any settlement that she
might make with Germany upon the
restoration of peace
Japanese statesmen have repeat
edly reatiirmed 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 bet
ter AFFORD to rely on her treaty rights
for a return of the territory. than to
herself breach that treaty and thus
provoke Japan to insist upon her
claim acquired from Germany
4 hrD 0h 90, lat
no obligation to restore the territory
before the expiration 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 CONNER
cial treaty of Importance now in force
between China and European nations
is the result of war or some other
form or duress. If we go back into
history and invalidatc every treaty
into which duress has entered, chaos
in international relations will result.
Senators have expressed indigna-
tion at the agreement of Great Brit
ain and France during the war to
support 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 spec
ial interests Of Japan in China. 1t
is said they were all made primarily
to encourage Japan to increased ac-
tivities in the war. The crisis of the
war was approaching. If not at hand.
The allies were straining every re-
source to beat back the ever-increas-
ing forces OF the enemy.
Il believe then and | 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-
pear calculated to result in benefit
to either China or this country"