Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-07-24
Senator Robinson Declares
Treaty Provision is
Misunderstood.
GERMANY'S RIGHTS
SUBJECT TO SEIZURE
Even Germany Conceded Concessions
in China Might es Grabbed BY Japan
and Held Provided Huns Lost War
Declares Senators Have No Right
To Question Japan's Promise to Cede
Territory Back to China.

J0rrrHOTy Dawn W S""~s
Washington, July 24.-Declaring the
treaty provision giving Japan control
In Shantung had been repeatedly
misint erpreted and generally misun-
derstood," Senator Robinson. democrat,
Arkansas, told the senate today 1t was
unjust to suspect Japan's motives or
to question the declaration of her
statement that the territory eventu-
ally would be restored to China.
1T has been stated by one SENATOR,
said Mr.. Robinson, that by the treaty
Shantung. with it's 40,000,000 inhabit-
ants, is wrested from China and pre-
sented to Japan. The territory in
volved in this controversy is limited
to a small area of approximately 200
square miles and an equal water area
The local popultion of the leased area
Is approximately $4,000.
Little dispute arises as to the orig
in of Germany's claims in this area.
AS part of the movement of the ma
tions to secure concessions in China
Germany, in 1895, undertook negotia-
tions for rights and privileges in the
Kiao- Chow region. These negotia-
tons were successful. March 6, 1898.
Germany concluded a. treaty with
China by which she acquired lease Of
ninety-nine years on both sides Of the
bay Of Kiao-Chow.
Rights Subject to Seizure.
THAT Germany regarded her rights
in Shantung az subject to seizure by
the allied nations at war with her Is
disclosed by her efforts to anticipate
their occupation of the leased territory.
Japan obtained possession by 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 repeated
ly reaffirmed the purpose to return the
ceded territory to China as soon as 1t
can be accomplished in accordance
with the agreement between China and
Japan. No beneficial effect can re-
suit If we assume that Japan Is acting
in bad faith. China can better afford
to rely on her treaty rights for q re-
turn Of the territory than to herself
breach that treaty and thus provoke
Japan to insist upon her claim ac-
quired from Germany thru conquest
for that involves no obligation to re-
store the territory before expiration
Of the lease.
Treaties Result Of Duress.
TT 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. II we go back into history
and invalidate every treaty into which
tional relations will result. ~
Senators have expressed indigna-
ton at the agreement Of Great Britain
and France during the war to support
Japan in her demands at the peace
conference. Perhaps the same crlti-
cisms might apply equally to the ac-
ton Of the United States following
these agreements in recognizing the
special interests Of Japan in China.
It is said they were all made primarily
to encourage Japan to increased acti-
vities 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.
II believe then and still believe
that the policy by which Japan was
cemented to the allies was both Just
and wise. The influence now at work
to cause China to hold out do not ap-
pear calculated to result in benefit
either to China or this country"
Favors Treaty With Reservations.
Acceptance Of the league OF nations
with reservations to protect independ-
ents Of American action was advoca-
ted in the senate today Senator Len
root, republican, wisconsin. The right
to determine domestic questions, to ad-
minister the Monroe doctrine and to
decide upon its course dn any case
arising under Article 10. he asserted,
should be more fully protected by
reservations.
OF President Wilson's fourteen
points to speaker said onl elk had
been compiled with In the treaty.
while four had BEEN clearly violated"
and four not included at all. Among
Til those violated ne mentioned the .t&;ppu-
tlations declining to opening conven-,
ants, disarmament and impartial adj
justment Of colonial claims. He ex-
pressed the opinion that the league
provisions would not bel effective. In
forcing disarmament.
Independents For silssia. III
[By Associated Press.1 III
Berlin, July 23--Upper tSilesia in the
event that It Is decided under, the ple-
biscite to remain German. will become
an independent autonomous province,
according to an OFFICIAL announcement.
The vote win be taken " the entire