Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-08-11
JAPAN CONCEALED
SHANTUNG TREATY,
SAYS Mr.. LANSING
Secretary Testifies He First
Heard of Pact While at
Versailles in February.
ISHII DID NOT REVEAL
JAPAN'S AIMS IN CHINA

On Other Hand, He Was Told Kiao-
chew Would Be Returned to
the Chinese People.
Existence Of the secret treaty be-
tween Japan and Great Britain re-
garding the Shantung. China. PENN
sula was concealed" from Secretary
Lansing by Viscount Ishii. Japanese
ambassador to the United States. Mr..
Lansing testified today before the
Senate foreign relations committee.
On September s. 1917, Mr.. Lansing
said. during the negotiations leading
up to the Lansing-Ishii agreement.
Viscount Ishii told him that he had
assured, Sir Edward Grey. the British
return Kiaochow to China, but
would have to retain the German Pa
ciflc islands, because no Japanese
government could stand without re-
tanning them"
"Did viscount Ishii make any fur
Their statement regarding the DISPOSE
ton of German claims in China?' ask
ed Senator Borah, republican, of
idaho.
mo-" replied Secretary Lansing.
But you know now that at that
time Japan had an understanding with
Kiachow and that Ishii concealed
that from the Secretary of the United
States"
That's the truth"
Never Published in Russia.
The Secretary said he first heard of
the secret treaties on the subject be-
tween Japan and Great Britain,
France. Russia and italy in February
had Investigated very thoroughly"
and that these secret treaties never
were published In Russia. s'-s- ss'7.
Senator johnson, republican, Cali
fornta. recalled that former Premier
Viviani OF France. and Arthur J. Bal
Britain, visited the United States i'm
mediately after this country entered
tho war, and asked II either disclosed
any Of the secret territorial agree
ments Of their countries.
=; s.lhss sef them s. ssia. AF' Lar
senator Pomerspe. aemocrat. Ohio.
isasEI HI I'd 'Ils -
s6got niitfltt was 4gotiatsd,'. Mr..
Lansink replied. and Mr.. Pomerens
asasa Wy Gaaaa VS. a 2s sesissd Il
mutual policy of the two govern.
r1shts, said the Secretary. .sIt did
not affect any right of China, except
that our two sGovetnxnehts agreed to
Keep hands Of - s -. -
Had MAde Declaration. ~
= = - Il =. 49, b
senator P6merene asked when China
noted exceptione to the agreement.
and Mr. lansing said, he never UNDER
stood China had taken exceptions. but
Mf. Lansing, added that he did not
regard the Lansing Ishfi agreement
as absolutely binding" upon the
United States. but rather as an agree
ment similar to the Root-Takahira
and other Understandings for ac-
ton.
Senator New, republican, Indiana,
asked II Mr.. Lansing knew Of any
recommendations made by the Navy
general board regarding agreements
between the powers for disposition Of
German territory in the Pacific. Mr..
Lansing said he did not have direct
knowledge Of such recommendations,
but thought there were some in con-
uection with Pacific cables.
did you know there was q formal
recommendation Of the general
board? 2" asked Mr.. New.
"I did not"
Explaining in detail the negotia-
Ishii in consummation of their agree
ment, Secretary Lansing said:
81 suggested that 1t would be we'll
for the two governments to reafidrm
the open door policy In China on ac-
count of thes reports in circulation
that Japan was intending to take adj
vantage Of conditions growing out of
the war to extend her sphere Of in
fluence In china. Viscount Ishii replied
that he agreed. but thought the agree
ment should recognize the special in
terest Of Japan in China. on account
Of geographical. racial, commercial
and other relations Of contiguous
countries.
Had Special Interest.
ST replied that was willing to state
that Japan had special interest in
China, but not a political interest,
and I objected to making an agree
ment without defining and limiting the
term special interest said that If
it meant paramount interest, I could
merely special interest would con-
slider it.
"Viscount Ishii brought I'D the
Monroe doctrine and suggested there
should be q Monroe doctrine for the
far east. told him there was much
misconception about the Monroe doc
trtne, that it was not an assertion by
the United States Of q primary or
paramount interest in the countries Of
the western hemisphere, but q declara-
ton to prevent Interference Of foreign
nations with their affairs or territory.
and that the United States claimed no
special privilege over other nations"
Senator Brandegee, republican, Con-
necticut, Interrupted the Secretary's
reading of his statement regarding the
negotiations to inquire whether the
discussions were oral with Viscount
Ishti and the account submitted to
the committee made from memory.
Mr.. Lansing said the discussions with
the former japanese ambassador were
oral and without the presence Of a
stenographer.
"Monroe Doctrine Applied"
81 told viscount Ishii that felt
that the same principle (of the Mon
roe doctrine) which applied to Amer
lean countries should be applied to
China-that no special privilege, and
certainly no paramount interests,
should be claimed by any foreign
power in China"
"Did he (Ishii) apparently consider
your view or simply maintain sill
ence?" asked Senator Brandegee. re-
Connecticut
simply maintained silence" said
Mr.. Lansing.