The Greeneville daily sun. (Greeneville, Tenn.) 1918-1920, 1919-08-08
A DISTINCTLY AMERICAN QUESTION

world that Japan contemplates aggression against
China in Shantung The statement declares that Japan
does not intend to claim any rights affecting the ter
ritoria sovereignty of China in Shantung."
That has plausible sound but it is utterly misleading,
and unfortunately must have been intended to msead
for it conceas the material fact of Japans aggression
and the manner in which it is accomplished.
The aim of Japan for the present at least to obtain
control of China, not by rude and open conquest and
forcibe seizure but by economic conquest under the
cloak of respect for Chinese Sovereignty" No nation
has been more emphatic than Japan in proclaming
spect for the Integrity" of China and all the forms of
interchange between soveregns scrpuousy observed
by Japan Yet it has been demonstrated and
again that China not permitted by Japan to pursue
Independent policy in political matters, while eco
nomically China is tied hand and foot to Japan.
1t may be that Japan does not intend to claim any
rights affecting the territorial sovereignty of China
but undeniably true that Japan intends to claim
economic rights in China which vital to the welfare
and happiness of the Chinese people 1t is also true that
Japan succeeded in the Paris conference in persuadng
the allied powers to asquiesce in the raid upon China
Through the pretense of temporarily taking German
interests in China Japan obtains permanent grasp on
the iron and coal mines of Shantung the best port of
China Tsngao and the railroads which radiate from
that port and connect with the arteries of the Chinese
republic From that stronghold thus obtained Japan will
control the economic life of China while carrying
the mockery of respecting its territorial sovereignty
In ordinary times the people of the United States might
tn
absorption of the best part of China by the Japanese
Americans might that they were too much en-
crossed in their affairs, and that if their
ment did not fit to make issue of the Shantung
question they could not be expected to worry about it.
Unfortunately, however, these not ordinary times
Shantung is an American affair; and the United States
thus far has not protested against the poa
ton of China The pending treaty if ratified will bind
all Americans to sustain the Japanese aggressions in
China and if necessary the Pacific and help the
Japanese put down the Chinese if they should attempt
To regain control of Shantung. Thus it is American
question of the highest Importance, and it cannot be
ignored because the treaty pending and interested par
ties camoring for its ratification without considera
ton or investigation
Shall the United States fight the side of Japan or
China? That question may demand within
few weeks One senator suggests that unless the treaty
is ratified the United States must keep its fleet ready for
with Japan That is unless the United States agrees
to the spoliation of Shantung provided in secret
treaty which thrust into President Wilson's face at
Paris Japan will make war; Another senator replies that
China is robbed of Shantung there will be war between
China and Japan, in which the United States would be
drawn on the side Of Japan He suggests that if China
should have military awakening the United States might
ind that it had put its money the wrong horse. He
also insists that if the proposed League of Nations in
ended to the political and territorial integrity of
each nation, the Shantung provision violation of the
covenant and must be stricken from the treaty. incon
istent with and repugnant to Article X
Not all the words of all the diplomats will make wrong
light Not all the efforts of all the governments will keep
ne world at if the League of Nations attempts to
Justify Japans possession of Shantung Germany's
rights were wrung from China at the point of pistol
eld by Prince Henry, the Hum who now comes out If
is skulkng place to insult civilization in letter defend
ng German atrocities. When China went to war the
NAh" ishIo SeCuIeu ny treaty were Cdnceleu. Cnlna
vas again entitled to her SOIL But Japan having
listed the Germans by force now claims the rights"
Germany and the japanese foreign minister endeavors
make appear that Japan does not intend to claim any
ght affecting Chinese sovereignty
The worlds free sent their agents to Paris
D make peace based upon right and Justice
hey yielded to the persuasions or threats of Japan
he treaty that proposes to place ndebe stain upon
ne good name of the United States and stir up war in
STA is now pending in the senate 1t is for American
tzens now, while they free to speak and act, to
ldicate their will to the senate
Another British lord says he knows nothing about be-
g made Ambassador to Washington excent what he has