Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1919-08-16
DATE TO RETURN SHANTUNC UP 10
 CHINESE, CLAIM
Japanese Say Restitution Will Be Made Without Unneces-
 sary Delay.

Tokio, Tuseday, Aug. 12.-"Resti- tutlon to China by Japan of those parts of Shantung province including kloa- Chau, now occupied by Japan csc forces, will be made without un- necessary delay but the time required will be dependent upon the attitude of China, said Takashi Hara, Japan ese. Premier, today, in answer to a tion would take place.
 The premier in answering the query of the Associated Press made the following statement:
 My colleague, Viscount Uchida, minister of foreign affairs, issued 2 statement on August in explana tion of our policy respecting tke Shantung question. That statement represents the considered opinion of this government and 1 have little to add in dealing with the same sub ject."
 Viscount Uchida in his statement, which was referred to by the prem fer, said that Japan was willing to re- store Shantung to China and would enter into negotiations with the Pe- king government as soon as possible after the Versailles treaty should be ratified by Japan.
 "The question is often asked as to when Japan will return Kiao-Chau to China. 1 would point out in reply that for the restitution of Kiao- Chau, detailed arrangement would be worked out beforehand in common accord before the Japanese and Chin csc governments and that the length of time required for such arrange ments depends largely upon the atti- tude of China. In any case, we full ly realize that it is as much in our own interests as in the interests of China to accelerate the conclusion of all needed arrangements and to eff feet without unnecessary delay the restitution of leased territory which we have solemnly undertaken"
 To Curb Militarists.
 Premier Hara and high officials of the Japanese government discussed frankly with the correspondent what was called the wave of anti-Japan- csc feeling in America" They were plainly disturbed by reliable re- ports received here showing uneasi- ness as to Japan's attitude relative to Shantung as one cause for the sen- timent of discontent among the friends of Japan but felt Japan's re- peated assurances as to restitution with the premier's statement to the Associated Press today should clear the air and prevent any deplorable misunderstanding
 It is frankly admitted here that Japan5s so-called militarism is re- sponsible fox much uneasiness abroad. Ehe Japane t insist there is a distinct movement under way to curb any ex- cessive influence held by the militar- ists which might be educated to be harmful to the legitimate develop ment of the nation and inimical to Japan's relations with America.
 In addition to the Shantung ques- tion, negotiations concerning encoun- gotiations concerning the encounters ters at Tien-Tsin between Japanese and Americans and Japan's entrance into the consertium by which United States, Great Britain, France and Japan are to play a dominant part in Chinese finances remain unsettled. Here again the Japanese contend that if the questions are examined impartially their attitudes would be accepted as justified.
 Newspapers, which are re-appear- ing after the recent shutdown due to the printers strike, attack the state ment made by Viscount Uchida on August 2, as an abandonment of an exclusive Japanese settlement of the Kiao-C Chau matter and the substitu- tion of an international agreement They said that it indicates weak ness on the part of Japanese diploma cy and claim the rights won by the sacrifices of the army at Tsing Tau should be tenaciously held.