New-York tribune., 1919-05-04
Secret Pact of France and
England to Back Japan's
Claims to Shantung Rights
Exposed by Paris ENJOYS
Statement Is Issued
Delegates Say They Hoped
To Be Treated in Accord
With Wilson's Points


Chinese delegation to the peace con-
ference, in its statement to-day, said
that the decision gives Japan practical
control Of Northern China.
The statement of the delegation dis
closes that early in 1917 Great Britain
and France agreed to support the
Japanese claim to German rights in
Shantung at the peace conference. 1t
says that China knew nothing of the
agreements and was not told OF them
even when she joined the war in
August, 1917.
1t is declared that China's declaration
of war abrogated all treaties and
agreements with Germany and that
German rights automatically reverted
to China.
Say Pledge Is Broken
The Chinese delegation asserts that
the reported action of rne Council of
Three IN transferring the German
rights to Japan is not in keeping with
the principles of peace laid down by
the Allied and associated powers. The
statement follows:
THE Chinese delegation has been
informed orally on behalf of the Coun-
ell OF Three of the outline of the set
tlement proposed regarding the Shan
tung question. Under this settlement
all rights to Kiao-chau formerly be-
longing to Germany are transferred
to Japan. While Japan voluntarily
engages to hand back Shantung pen
insula in full sovereignty to China,
she is allowed to retain the economic
privileges formerly enjoyed by Ger
many.
"These privileges, the delegation is
informed. refer to the Using tao Gilman
railway, $50 miles long, the mines con-
nected with it and the two railways
to be built connecting Shantung with
the two trunk lines from Peking to
the Yangtse Valley. In addition, she
obtains the right to establish settle
ment at Tsng-tao, and although the
Japanese military forces, it is under
stood, will be withdrawn from Shan
tung at the earliest possible moment,
the employment of special railway
police is permitted.
Such being the outline of the pro-
posed settlement, the Chinese delega-
tion cannot but view it with disap-
pointment and dissatisfaction.
German Rights Reviewed
"These German rights in Shantung
originated IN an act of wanton aggres-
sion In 1897 characteristic of Prussian
militarism. To transfer these rights to
Japan, as the Council of Three proposes
toFdc, is therefore to confirm an act of
aggression which has been resented by
the Chinese people ever since its per-
petration.
"Such d virtual substitution of Japan
for Germany in Shantung is serious
enough in itself, but it becomes grave
when the position of Japan in Southern
Manchuria and Eastern Mongolia is
read IN connection with it. Firmly in
trenched on both sides of the Gulf of
Pe-chili, the water outlet of Pekng,
with a hold on the three trunk lines
from Peking. and connecting it with the
rest of China, the capital becomes but
an enclave in the midst of Japanese
influence.
Moreover, owing to China's decara-
ton of war against the Central Powers
on August IA, 1917, and the abrogation
OF all treaties and agreements between
China and these powers, the German
rights automatically reverted to China
1his declaration was officially notified
20 and taken cognizance OF by the Al
lied and associated governments. 1t is
therefore significant that the council
IN announcing the settlement of the
kiao-chau-S -Shantung question referred
to the rights to be transferred to Japan
as the rights formerly belonging to
Germany.
Say Ally Is Punished
"1t appears clear, then, that the coun-
Gil has been bestowing on Japan the
rights, not Of Germany, but Of China
not Of an enemy but of an ally. The
more powerful ally has reaped a benefit
at the expense, not of the common
enemy, but of the weaker ally. Besides.
Shantung is China's holy land, packed
with memories OF Confucius and Men
Gus, and hallowed as the cradle of her
civilization.
"lf 1t Is the intention of the council
to restore 1t to China. it is difficult to
see on what consideration of principle
or or expediency can be justified the
transfer IN the hrst instance TO an alien
power, which then voluntarily engages
to hand 1t back to the rightful owner.
japan based its claim for the Ger
man rights In Shantung also on the
treaty and notes of 1915 and the notes
OF 1915 with China 1t is to be noted.
however, that the documents of 1915
were agreed TO by China under coercion
OF an ultlmatum threatening war in
case of noncompliance with the twenty.
one demands.
Withdrew Notes of 1918
"The notes of 1918 were made bv
O. ~l'~ 1'tieS AOC Japan y promise
TO withdraw her troops, whose presence
IN the interior Of Shantung, as we'll as
the establishment Of japanese civil ad
mlnistration bureaus in the district.
and aroused such popular opposition
that the Chinese government felt con-
strained 20 make the arrangement"
Secret Treaty Exposed
THE Chinese delegation understands
that the council was prompted by the
fact that Great Britain and France had
undertaken in February and March.
1857, 70 support at the peace confer
ence the transferring to Japan of the
Ierman rights in Shantung To none
OF these secret agreements was China
n party nor was she informed of their
contents when invited to join the war
against the Central Empires. The fort
unes Of China appear thus to have
been made objects OF negotiation and
compensation after she already had
definitely allied herself with the Allied
Powers.
Apart from this, it is at least open
To- question how far these agreements
VIII be applicable, inasmuch as China
since has become a bcliigerent. The
claims Of Japan referred to in this
agreement appear, moreover, to be
ecarcely compatible with the fourteen
points adopted By tho powers associ-
ated against Germany.
IF the council had granted the
claims Of japan IN full for the pur-