New Britain herald., 1919-08-22
SHANTUNG PROVINCE TAKEN
 FROM CHINA BY ACT OF FORCE
First Hand Story of~Neg0tia- tions in Treaty Provision Given to Senate Commit tee Today.

Washington. Aug. PA first hand story of the negotiations which re- suited in the treaty provision giving Japan control of Shantung province China, was told to the senate foreign relations committee today by Prof. E: T. Williams, formerly the state de partmcnt's expert on Far Eastern af- fairs WhO acted as technical ad- visor to the American peace delega- ton.
 Prof. Williams said he had "object- cd very strongly" to the ShantunE settlement, but that his resignation from the peace commission had not been due to his opposition.
 sent for By Wilson.
 On April -, he said. President Will son sent for him and ed him which of the proposed alternatives would be less injurious to China-the transfer of the German Shantung rights to Japan, or insistence on the execution of Japan's treaty with China growing out of the formers demands of 1915.
 'I replied" continued Prof. Will Hams, that l hoped neither course would be found necessary The presi- dent said that unfortunately Great Britain and France were bound by certain engagements with Japan to support Japan's claims in Shantung and that Lloyd George said he would bow only on the consideration that the 1915 treaty was executed. The pres ident added that the war seemed to have been fought to establish the sanctity of treaties and that some of them were unconscionable and it look cd as though it would be necessary to recognize them.
 'I believed that since the 1915 treaty was eXaCted by force it ought not to be binding but the president re- piled Japan might not he willing to rec ognize that they were made by force'' Prof. Williams suggested that the treaty have blanket provision that all German propetty in China should be turned over to China and that any rights taken from Germany by Japan should be returned to China wit thin one year.
 Transfer of Rights.
 Later the expert advisers of thr British, French and American dse gati0nS joined in a memorandum say ing that transfer of the German shan
 
 desira blc of the two courses suggested.
 Prof. Williams and MacClay, d British expert, joined in a mcmoran- dunn saying China ought not to be compelled to accept either alterna- tive.
 'I asked the president,x said Will Hams, "whether the proposed settle mcnt was not contrary to his A points and he said that unfortunate ly he didn't think there was anything in tho II points exactly covering the ease. Later l called attention to his Mount Vernon address which seemed to cover the matter.
 Did the president make any re- sponsc?" asked Senator Johnson, re- publican, California.
 "l only received note from the presidents secretary thanking me for the memorandum" said Williams.
 Informed of Decision.
 TWO days later" Prof Williams said he was informed of the decision taken and Dr. Schornbeck the other American advisor on Far Eastern af- fairs had concurred in objection but that they did not fife a protest after the decision was announced.
 Asked whether his resignation was due to any particular reason Prof Williams replied;
 No, my leave of absence from the University of California was about to expire. 1 would have come home in any case"
 In reply to a question as to what effect the Shantung decision might have in China. Prof. Williams said: ::
 Strong Protest Prom China.
 q felt it would raise a strong pro test from China and was tending to strife rather than to peace. l felt it was also injurious to our own inter- Csts as China had entered the war under our advice and by the transfer of these rights to Japan we would lose prestige in the Far East.
 My own opinion is that the de- ciSon was an unfortunate one that the lease territory of KiauChau and the railroads and mines of ShantunE ordinarily would have gone to China at the conclusion of peace; that they had been taken from China by force and an act of piracy.