The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-07-25

Washington, July 25.-(Copyright
for The Chattanooga News.) 1.-The
Japanese government has been urged
to make a formal statement of her
intentions with respect TO Shantung.
Serious consideration is being given
the proposal in Toxic. There is every
sign that before many days have
passed one of the chief obstacles to
the ratification of the peace treaty
and league of nations will have been
overcome.
Information obtainable here con-
corning the Japanese attitude on
Shantung makes 1T possible to indi-
cate as a way out of the difficulty
an expression something like this:
Japan does not understand why
American senators should question
her motives or her pledged word, but
will not fail, nevertheless, to reiter-
ate the promise formally made on
May 25, 1915. to restore Kiauchau
to China
Japan has received by the Yer
sailles treaty only those rights and
privileges previously held by Ger
many.
No secret treaty or agreement was
ever made between Germany and
Japan during the war and any sug-
gestion of that kind Is a public re-
Election on Japan's integrity and
good faith as an ally.
President Wilson urged the Japa-
nese mission in Paris to fix a definite
time when Kiauchau would be re-
stored to China In view of the agi-
tation in the United States, and par
ticularly the greater harm to Japa-
nese- American relations than good
which Japan can obtain, by insist
ing on a policy of silence with re-
spect to her intentions in Shantung,
the advisability of a public express
sion by Japan fixing a time limit
appeals strongly to Japanese here as
solution of the controversy.
Nothing Could Be More Explicit.
Nothing could be more explicit, de-
lowing pledge made by Japan on
May 25, 1915:
IF upon the conclusion of the pres
ent war the Japanese government
should be given an absolutely free
disposal of the leased territory of
Kiauchau bay, they will return the
said leased territory to China subject
to the following conditions:
al. Opening Of the whole Of Kiau
chau as a commercial port.
"2. Establishment of a Japanese
settlement in the locality to be desig-
mated by the Japanese government.
"3. Establishment, If desired by
the powers, of an international set
Element.
a. Arrangements to be made be-
fore the return of the said territory
is effected between the Japanese and
Chinese governments, with respect to
the disposal of German public es-
adjustments and properties and with
regard to the other conditions and
procedures"
China also agreed on that same
date as follows:
THE Chinese government engage
to recognize all matters that may be
agreed upon between the Japanese
government and the German govern
ment respecting the disposition of
sions which Germany possesses in
relation to the province of Shan
tung"
China Has Failed Of Her Promise.
Now, China has refused to carry
out that promise by declining to sign
the Versailles peace treaty, arguing
that the above pledge WAS made I'M
der duress of ultimatum. Neverthe-
less no notification of a reputation
Of the pledge was given prior to the
Versailles conference. Indeed, the
sending of special mission by the
Chinese government TO Japan to dec
crate the Japanese emperor was gem
orally looked upon as an evidence Of
the resumption of friendly relations
after the negotiations of 1915.
Japan has again and again prom
Used. in memoranda and oral CONVEX
satfon between her diplomats and
the officials of entente governments,
that she would return Kiauchau to
China. She never has asked for pos
session Of the province Of Shantung
itself, as has often been intimated in
the public debates. The big question
asked by China and by those In the
senate who are criticising the trans
fer Of German rights to japan is,
when will japan give back Kiau-
chau. the principal port of Shan
tung?"
Japan has never publicly FIVE"