Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-08-08

voys that they would get justice from the
League Of Nations. To this one of, the
Chinese ENJOYS replied with some cogency
ID that the League of Nations as yet has no
existence CD that nobody knows what its eX-
cat powers or status will be CD that it's rul-
ing power will be the same nations that made
the Shantung agreement, and that they can
scarcely be expected to renOunce their own
agreement, and (4) that it is only weak ma
tions which are asked to depend upon the
League of Nations for justice the strong
ones safeguarding their interests by numer-
Gus agreements and treaties. 1t is not on
record that anyone has satisfactorily answer
ed this Chinese argument.
1t has also been state, in defense of the
Shantung agreement, that it does not invade
Chinese sovereignty, but merely gives to
Japan port concession, similar to those en-
Joyed by other nations in China. This is
denied by representatives of the Chinese gov
eminent, and of American interests in China,
who state that Japan has in fact complete
economic and political control of the whole
province or Shantung. It is said that ex-
perts attached to the american commission
In Paris made a study of the situation and
report substantially the same thing They
FOUND that Japan held not only the port and
city OF Tsingtao, with all it's port anC termi-
nal facilities, but that Japan also controlled
the entire length of the Tsingtau-Tsinan rail
way, which penetrates the heart of Shantune
province. Japan has this railway heavily
patrolled by troops passing under the name
of gendarmes.
This situation is enough on it's face to
make the Chinese dissatisfaction fully COM
prehensible. Thomas T. Willard of this coun-
try and China, perhaps the best known
American authority on far eastern questions,
claims that China has a still further cause
Tor alarm in the rumor that France, Eng
land and Japan have made a secret agree
ment' dividing up the whole of Asia into
spheres OF influence" for these three ma
lions. He says there are many indications
that such an agreement has been made. and
that 1t binds France and England to support
Japan's ambition in China. If this were the
case, then France and England would pre-
sumably be bound to support the Japanese in
terpretatlon OF the LGnsing-Ishii agreement
and we would have to oppose these two al
lies OF ours in order to get Justice for China
at Shantung
Mr.. Willard is not fourishing this rumor-
ed agreement as vague menace. On the
other hand, he is urging Senator Johnson and
others to inquire of the president whether
such an agreement exists, then ask that our
state department address a direct inquiry
on the subject to the French and British gov
ernments
Mr.. M1llard is frankly Chinese partisan.
but he is also a friend of the League of Ma
lions idea, and is anxious to see league
created, provided the league does not in.
JuA0 GHAeAIcdu interests. lie sees the
Shauntung agreement as the crux of
the whole international situation. Now
taat Germany is out Of the way. ia
pans m1litaristic character, her ambitions
lor conquest and expansion, and her actual
need TO lind an outlet for her growing popu,
1ation and national energy, cannot be doubt
ed by anyone who has examined the subject
1mpartially. Dspite abundant Japanese prop
uganda to the contrary, it is plain to all who
can see clearly that Japan intends to swallow
China as she swallowed Manchuria
For the United States, there are but two
possible courses. She may stand back and
let Japan do as she will. Or, if she desires
to support her open-door policy in China, if
Americans rae to enjoy any of the commercial
opportunities which China affords, if our
ideal of Justice for weak nations is anything
but bluff, then JapaH's present attitude to-
ward China must be firmly opposed The
United States is now in a position of great
strength and prestige. If just and unequi-
vocal agreements with regards to China are
now made, and are steadily enforced war
may be averted But such incomprehensibIe
qu1bbles as the Lanshing-Ishii agreement and
such strange surrenders to japanese ambi-
tlon as the Shantung agreement, with it's still
stranger explanation, in the opinion of Mil
lard and the great body of Chinese and
Amrlcans whom he represents, make for
one OF two things-War, or else the complete
loss or American prestige in the Far East.