Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-07-16
JAPS PROMISED
Continued from Paae one)

JAfS I hOMlSED
Continued from Page ons)
While the Japanese government
was waiting for reply from the
British government. 1t proceeded
also to negotiate with the other allied
governments. Its message to the
French ambassador at Toxic was
signed by the japanese foreign min
| lister and was as follows:
The Imperial Japanese govern
ment - proposes to demand
from Germany at the tin3e Of the
peace negotiations the surrender Of
the territorial rights and special in
terests Germany possessed before
the war in Shantung and the islands
situated north of the eSSator in the
Pacific ocean.
It goes without saying that re-
paration for damages caused to the
life and property of Japanese people
by the injustifiable attacks of the
enemy, as well as other conditions 81
peace, of a character common to all
entente powers is entirely outside the
consideration Of the present ques-
tion.'
"a few days later. the French
ambassador replied to the japanese
foreign office as follows:
The government of the French
|! Republic is disposed to give the Jap
anese government it's accord in reg
ulating at the time of the peace ne
gotfations questions vital to Japan
concerning Shantung and the Ger
man islands in the Pacific north Of
the equator 1t also agrees to sup
port the demands of the imperial
japanese government for the sur
render of the rights Germany pos
sesses in this Chinese province and
these islands.
M. BRAND demands, on the other
hand. that Japan give its support to
obtain from China the breaking CT
its diplomatic relations with Ger
many, and that it give this act desir-
able significance. The consequences
Of this in China should be the follow
ing:
First. handing passports to the
Germany diplomatic agents and
consuls.
Second. the obligation Of all I'M
der German jurisdiction to leave
Chinese territory.
Third. the interment of German
ships in Chinese ports and the ul-
innate requisition of these ships in
order top lace them at the disposal
Of the allies following the the ex-
ample Of Italy and Portugal. Ac-
cording to the information of the
French government there are fifteen
German ships in China, totalling
about 10000 tons.
Fourth. requisition Of German
commercial houses established in
China FORGETTING the right of Ger
many in the concessions she possesses
in certain parts of China
Upon receipt Of this communica-
ton the foreign minister of Japan
on behalf Of Japan. promised COM
pliance with the request Of the French
government contained in this letter.
Similar negotiations were entered
into with similar results with Italy.
although the negotiations with Italy
took place in Rome and not in Toxic
Similar agreement also was made
with Russia. and 1t must be remem-
bered that at that time, Russia was
still in the war and it was antici-
pated that at the close of the war
she would have a place at the peace
table.
1T is thus clearly disclosed that
while these leading governments of
the world were inducing China to
get into the war, in order that they
might secure her assistance and par
ticularly that they might be able
to get possession of the German ships
interned in China's sharbors, they
were secretly plotting among them
selves as to her destruction as soon
as she had complied with their wishes
and the war was over. In all the
annals of history, l do not believe
there is recorded an instance Of a
more disgraceful and dishonorable
agreement to carve up the territory.
not of an enemy. but of an allied
friend.
And If we approve this w.>ked de-
cree. is it any defense % say that
we were only the member of the
court that was not bribed? If we
ratify this treaty as it stands, we
approve not only the judgment but
the reprehensible method by which
1t was brought about. II this treaty
as it stands becomes operative and
later the 30,000.000 of Chinese in
Shantung should rebel against the
rule OF the Japanese and then if the
balance of China should 60 to the
assistance of their own brethren in
attempting to overthrow the unlaw-
ful and cruel rule of a foreign gov
eminent, then under Section 10. of
the League Of Nations, as it now
stands. 1t would be our duty to con !
tribute American lives and American
blood on the battlefield to assist ia
pan to retain her power.
This treaty should 20 back, and
I believe II the American people
could have an opportunity to see
all the vice that it contains and were
able to express their patriotic SYM
pathies It would go back by an unan-
mous vote. When the honest citi-
Gems of Great Britain, Of France, of
Italy. realize the injustice that il
contains they will unite with us in
demanding that it be rejected"
While declaring he favored the
general idea Of league of nations,
senator Norris said he considered the
versailles covenant contained many
Objectionable features and he would
vote for changes in it.
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