The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-08-07

Knox: Dtd she modify that particu-
lar one7
Lansing: Yes that lie my recollection.
I should like to make n full report on
the twenty-one demands.
Claimed Special Interest.
Knox: As 1 recoliect It the claim OF
Japan in the Lansing -Ishii agreement
which you acknowledge is for a special
interest throughout China entirely.
Lansing: Yes.
Knox Covering the whole Of China7
Lansing: Yes
Knox Had not her previous claims OF
special interest been limited to Man
churia7
Lansing: This made no distinction.
except It was stated that II was on ac-
count of the contiguity OF territory, and
that would naturally apply to Man
churia.
Knox: My recollection is that as far
back as 1919 Japan formulated and pre-
scented claim OF special interest. prac-
tically in the language of the lansing
Ishii agreement, except that she limited
her special interest to Manchuria. She
did not present II as to other portions
of continental China. Have you any
recollection about that?
Lansing no, nave not.
Senator New (Ind.) Mr.. Secretary,
do you know when Chan learned of the
secret agreements between Great Brit
ain, Russia, France. Italy and Japan?
Lansing: No. sir.
New: Did China at any time make
any appeal to the United States with
reference to the protection of her terri
torial interests at the time of the Peace
Conference, asking for the good Offices
of the United States.
Lansing: do not think there was
anything formal. OF course, China s
delegates saw the delegates of the
United States and discussed the matter
with them.
New: And It was in the nature of an
Informal appeal was it7
lansing I do not want to call 1t an
appeal. 1t was a discussion of the ques-
ton just In tho same way that the
japanese delegates discussed the ques-
| ton.
New: How did the United States NEE,
that appeal?
Lansing: The United States could act
| only as a body or in the person of the
President. do not know how the Presi-
dent met It All know Is the informal
| nature Of the conference between dele
gates of the American commission and
| OF the Chinese commission which took
place.
Lansing's Memory Fails.
New: Did the United States seek to
| influence China to enter the war on the
side Of the Allies?
| Lansing i would like to make report
on that. too. l cannot recall Just what
the course was and am afraid might
| frAa Ia OF, No,,
exact accordance with the facts.
Senator Harding: We did ask all neu.
tral nations to break relations with Ger.
many. did we not?
| Lansing: Yes
Senator New: You do not know Their
| whether the President or the American
ENJOYS at any time sought to obtair
| from japan a guarantee to restore the
Province OF Shantung to Chinaf
| Lansing knew there was such or
effort made.
character and conditions of It?
Lansing: No l am not. because 1t wa.
| made entirely by the President
New: But It was made?
Lansing: Yes.
Senator Williams (Miss.) did no
quite understand what the effort was Il
which Senator New referred.
| senator New. An enort to obtain from
Japan a guarantee to return the Shan
tung province and territory that was hels
by Germany prior TO the war to China.
Senator Williams: An effort by tn,
4 United states. do you mean?
Senator New Yes.
Senator Hitchcock (Neb.) And tn,
answer was that the President had mad,
such an effort.
Lansing Yes, l do not wish to con
vey the idea that there was failure {,
do so.
Senator New: l understand; but II Il
understood that you will endeavor to en-
large upon that little?
Lansing: No. l cannot do that. Tha
Is a matter with which the Presiden
alone had to do
Senator Harding: Do you mean to sa,
that the effort was not a failure?
Lansing: said could not pass upol
that on account of It's being a matter en-
tirely with the President. but did no
wish to convey the impression that nigh
be gathered from the word effort"
Senator New: You do know that as
matter OF fact up to this time no sucl
guarantee has been given. That is cor
rect. is IL not?
Lansing: Well there is statemen
in the morning papers. that is all.