The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1919-07-25
DOES
NOT SUSPECT
JAPAN : MOTIVE

WASHINGTON, July ai.-Dcclaring
the treaty provision giving Japan con-
troll in ShantunE had been repeatedly
misntcrprctcd and generally misundcr-
stood" Senator Robinson. Democrat. Ar
kansas, told the senate today II IVES un-
just TO suspect Japan's motives or tC
question the declaration of her states
men that the territory eventually would
be restored to China. TT has been stat
ed by one senator" Mr.. Robinson said
that by tho treaty ShaptunG with its
40. 00o. 900 inhabitants. is wrcsted from
China and presented to Japan" The ter
ritory involved in this controversy
Senator Robinson said. is limited 10 a
small land area of approximately 200
square miles and and equal water area.
Tho total population of. the leased areas
approximately $4,000.
Little dispute arises as 10 IN" origin
Of Gprmnnys claims in this nr"a. AS
par tot the movement Of the nations 20
secure concessions in China. Germany
in 1896 undertook negotiations for rights
and privileges in the Kiao-Chow region
Those negotiations were successful.
March 6. 1898, Germany concluded
treaty with China by which she acquired
n lease of % years on both sides Of the
BAY Of kiao-Chow
THAT Germany regarded her rights in
Shantung n subject Of seizure by the al
lied nations At war with her is disclosed
hy her efforts to anticipate their occu-
patton of the leased territory. Japan OBJ
tanned possession by act Of war and
while in possession secured the agree
mcnt of China to recognize any settle
ment that she might make with Germany
upon the restoration of peace.
Japanese statesmen have repeatedly re-
affirmed the purpose to return the ccdcd
territory TO China as soon as II can De &C.
complishcd in accordance with inc
agreement between China ana japan
No beneficial effect can result II VIC
assume that Japan is acting IN pao
faith. China can better afford 10 rely
on her treaty rights for n return OF inc
territory than 10 herself breach thaI
treaty and thus provoke japan 10 III
sist unon her claim acquired from Ger
many through conquest. for mat III
wolves no obligation to restore the ter
ritory before expiration Of the lease.
1T is said China was induced by rear
~ war with JaOan to enter into the
treaty OF 1915 agreeing to whatever ar
j-nngcmcntS Japan might make win
Germany. But every commercial treaty
or inheritance now in force between
China and European nations is inc re-
suit of war or some other form OIL
durcss If we go back into history ana
iinyalidatc every treaty into "h'ch
durcss has entered. chaos in lnt'r
national relations will result
Senators have expressed indignation
nj tho agreement of Great britain ana
Franco during tho war TO support Japan
in her demands at the peace conference.
Perhaps tho same criticisms Apply
equally to the action of the Ihltco
States following these agreements N
recognizing the special interests OF Jap
an in China. 1t Is said they were All
made primarily to encourage japan 10
Increased activities in the war. inc
crisis of the war was approaching, VI
not at hand. The allies were stralhinE
every resource tn boat back the ever
increasing forces of tn" enemy.
Il believed then and l still believe
that the polirr by which Japan WAS
ccmcnt"d to Ihc allies was both JUST
and wise The influence now nj WORK
10 cause China to hold do not appear
calculated To result in benefit TO either
! China or this country"