The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-08-09
Supplemental Statement Made
By Viscount Uchida Regard
ing Japan's Attitude
MORE LIGHT IS BEING
SHED ON THE SUBJECT
Japan is Pledged to Return
Province to China After Her
Long Domination

Washington, August 6.-President
Wilson issued a formal statement to-
night saying that the frank state
lnent made by Viscount Uchida.' as to
Japan's policy regarding Shantung,
ought to serve to remove many OF
the misunderstanding which had be
gun to accumulate about this ques-
ton"
When the question of disposal Of
Shantung was definitely decided on at
Paris, President Wilson said the Jap
anese delegation in reply 10 ques-
ton of MS, said:
The policy Of Japan is to hand
back the Shantung peninsula in full
sovereignty to China, retaining only
the economic privileges granted to
Germany and the right to establish
a settlement under the usual conal-
tons at Tsingtao.'
References in the Uchida statement
as to the agreement between Japan
and China in 1915 might be mislead-
ing the President said, IF not COM
mented upon in the light Of what oc-
Cured in Paris"
The presidents statement made
puElic through the state department
follows:
The government Of the United
States has noted with the greatest
interest the frank statement made by
Viscount Uchida with regard to
Japan's future policy respecting Shan
tung. The statement ought to serve
to remove many Of the misunder-
standings which begun to accumulate
about this question but there are ref
erences in the statement to an agree
ment entered into between Japan and
China in 1915 which might be mis-
leading if not commented upon IN the
light Of what occurred in Paris when
the clauses OF the treaty affecting
Shantung were under discussion. l.
therefore, take the liberty Of supple
mentuing Viscoun, Uchida's statement
with the following: In the confer
ence of the 30th Of April last where
this matter was brought to conclu-
sion among the heads Of the principal
allied powers and associated powers
the japanese delegates, Baron Maxine
and Viscount sChinda in reply to
question put by myself. declared that:
The policy Of Japan is to hand
back the Shantune peninsula IN fu!i
sovereignty to China. retaining only
the economic privileges granted to
Germany, and the right to establish
a settlement under the usual condi-
tons at Tsingtao.
The owners of the railway vii!
use special police only to insure Sc
curity fol traffic They will be used
for no other purpose.
The police force will be COM
posed of Chinese and such japanese
instructors as the directors Of the rail-
way may select will be appointed by
the Chinese government
NO reference was made to this
policy being in any way dependent
upon the execution of the agreement
of 1915 to which Count Cchida ap-
pears to have referred. Indeed I felt It
my duty to say that nothing that
! agreed to must be construed as an &C
quiescence on the part of the govern
ment of the United States in the pol
icy of the notes exchanged between
China and Japan in 1915 and 1919:
and reference was made in the dis,
cussion to the enforcement of the
agreements Of 1915 and 1918 only IN
case. China failed to cooperate fully
=, CARRYING out the policy outlined in
he statement Of Earon Maxine and
discount Chinda.
81 have of course no doubt that
-iscount Uchida had been appraised Of
LII the particulars Of the discussion in
oariS, and | aHl rot making this state
nent with the idea of correcting his
statement but only to throw a fuller
light Of clarifcation upon a situation
which ought TO be relieved of every
shadow of obscurity or misa pprehen
sion.''