The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-07-29
JAPAN NOT READY
TO CLEAR Up BIG
SHANTUNG CRISIS
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.
Especial CORRESPONDENT Of The News
SeImltar.l

IA DANAD h4A w HNOE |
Especial CORRESPONDENT Of The News
SeImltar.l
WASHINGTON, July 2s.-Japan is
not yet ready to make a public state
ment Of her intentions with respect to
the return to Kiauchau, but will do SO in
due course. This does not near that
eventually the whole Shantung question
will not be cleared up in a way salts
factory to American public opinion and
appease the opposition in the American
senate. But for the present there must
be indulgence, the Japanese feel. The
Japanese delegation at Versailles has
not yet returned to Toxic. Certainly
no detailed negotiations car be carried
on till they return, though a public
statement of policy may, of course. be
made before Marquis Sionji, now en-
route to Japan, gets home.
Japan's diplomatic representative
here, Charge d'Affaires Debuchi, went
to the department Of state yesterday,
Neither he nor officials at the depart
ment would make a statement. But II
fairies In five days. He was invited
there on the return of Secretary Ian
sing, who, at the instance of President
Wilson, laid before Mr.. Debuchi in a
very taetful way the endorsements
that had arisen in the American senate
with reference to the Shantung pro-
vision OF the peace treaty.
Though Mr.. Lansing said nothing af-
terward, senators on Capitol hill gave
reporters the impression that Mr.. Will
son was hoping for a direct statement
from Japan n had virtually asked for
one. What Is, however, incorrect is the
inference that Mr., Wilson threatened to
make a public statement II Japan did
not do so, This published story is re-
scented by friends of Japan on the
ground that public opinion in Japan
would not take enthusiastically to what
1t might thus construe as coercion.
Two Ways Out.
Indeed, there is reason to believe that
the impression grew merely out of the
idea that the way out of the Shantung
controversy lay in W distinct meth
ods-either a statement by Japan Of
her intention to return Kiauchau on a
fixed date or else permission from ia
pan enabling President Wilson TO make
public documents in his possession re-
lating to the return of the leased ter
ritory to China.
1t is inconceivable that Mr.. Wilson
adopted any threatening attitude in the
midst OF a friendly negotiation, and
friends of the president deplored at
tempts to stir up bad feeling that way.
On the other hand, the second visit
by the Japanese charge d'affaires car |
ries the inference that he has received
some word from his government in an
swer to the inquiries made last week.
The position Of Japan would seem
therefore, to be this: The head of the
Japanese delegation made certain state
ments to President Wilson at Paris,
both orally and in writing. The Toxic
ministry, which is already under fire
by the opposition party headed by
Baron Kator for its attitude in the
peace conference, does not feel itself
entirely familiar with what happened
at Paris.
Marquis Saionji left London a few
days ~ via the Mediterranean and
ought to be in Toxic within a month.
Until the Japanese government knows
all the assurances and commitments
made by it's delegation it does not want
to make any public statement, but may,
Of course, find 1t advisable to make
some brief pronouncement. The cables
between Paris and Toxic have been
working badly. 1t is known that the
congestion on the Pacific cables has
amounted at times to a delay Of seven
days. y
mo Slight Intended.
Japan doesn't wish in any a to
seem to be sighting American public
opinion. The dangers of the present
controversy, particularly its after eff
fects on h relations between the Unit
ed States and Japan, have been care
FULLY reported to the Japanese govern
ment. But the Japanese government
feels its hands tied by circumstances,
Just as President Wilson himself in his
letter to Senator Lodge asked for the
Indulgence Of the senate until he could
set IRON Paris certain papers needed
TO answer the questions asked in senate
resolutions, so Japan would like the
Indulgence Of the American people une
I'll her premier can have a talk with the
Japanese delegates now en- route home
But there is still another circumstance
which is of the utmost Importance and
which bears directly on the formula BY
which the controversy may be settled
1t is China's persistent refusal 10 sign
the peace treaty. Until China definite
~ attaches her signature or publicly ex-
presses her intention to do SO, Japan
does not feel that her neighbor will be
committed to the cession OF these eco
nomlc rights to Japan which are to ac-
Riauchau to China.
IN other words China, in the opinion
OF the Japanese, ought to express her
desire to negotiate for the return az
kiauchau. At the same time she should
slgn the peace treaty itself. There al
1919 - pCUh a. BOOu zeal or d1nIOs
matte jockeying and bargaininp he
tween japan and China In the past and
for Japan to promise outright thai she
would restore Kiauchau on a certain
date might. 1t is feared by Japanese
cause China to become Indifferent IN
lions. dues
Japan considers that in effect sha
would be playing her trump card-ths
GATE for return of Kiauchau-wjtbo,tS
getting in return ever an assurances ~
Chlna's intention to sign the peace
treaty. SO the Shantung controversy
unless President Wilson makes sonSs
unexpected move In the Situation
would seem to some extent to be de-
pendent upon the return of the lana
nese mission to Toxic and some def
nlte expression from China in the in
term concerning her signature to tha
peace treaty. ~
Copyright, 1919, by David Lawrenom