Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-07-19
The Shantalng Settlement
From the Baltimore American.

1t would De well TOT tQe people OF THIS eoun'
try to realize that the Shantung settlement by
the Peace Conference bears Importantly upon
they interests, although the apparent injustice
to China is sufficient reason for this country to
act slowly in giving sanction to this clause OF
the peace treaty. Experts who arrived in this
country before President Wilson have said in
their private conversations that the United
States would do well to scrutinize closely fea-
lures of the peace terms. especially the Shantung
settlement, because it has much more import
ance for the United States than the construction
that may be placed upon several articles Of the
League of Nations
Japan's agents in this country have sought
to gloss over the Shantung matter, saying that
the actual territory into which Japan has entered
is inconsderable, being simply matter of about
200 square miles around Kiaou Chow, and that
the remainder of Japan's benefits are in the
form of concessions held by Germany in Shan
tung. This is little better than balderdash, as
every one knows that the concessions held by
Germany were in the estimation of Germany
little less than actual possession of the province
outright.
1t is claimed by Japan that the term Shan
tung has been loosely and unfortunately used;
that another name for considerably lesser
area should have been employed If this were
the case. it is clear that Japan permitted the
use of the wider descriptive term, so that later
on it might make claims under the language
as employed in the article. Japan also claims,
through its agents, that the ma jority of Chinese
OF significance wholly agreeable to the set
Element. Chinas agents here brand this as alb
soutely false. Moreover, the efforts made by
Japan to keep China out of the war and out of
the conference and to prevent publication of
secret and forced agreements that it had with
China; with the threat of war if these should
be made public will be recalled. Enough came
to light with regard to this coercion for the
world to realize that Japan was seeking to COM
pei China to commit political hari-kar
When the Monroe amendment to the League
of Nations was under consideration by the con-
gress. the Root article and the articles framed
by others we're sent on to the American dele
CATION. limitations came from Paris to the eff
feet that Japan would need to be placated that
it had Monroe claim of it's own 1t was argued
to be unwise to press the American Monroe
demand, inasmuch as the league in reality ex-
tended the Monroe Doctrine to the world At
that time Japan was holding in the background
making observations only in the direction of its
own interests; and in fact, it had nothing to say
at the congress except upon matters affecting
its own aims. The adoption of an article to
cover the Monroe Doctrine was followed by an
announcement somewhat later of the Shantung
agreement 1t was stated that Japan stood upon
honor, and, as highly sensitive nation, with
traditions of conduct that were unimpeachable;
it would not tolerate show of lack of conf
dence, such as would be implied in demanding
time limit in which it would be required to yield
Shantung to China. Yet Japan had taken Shan
tung from the Germans-with British aid which
aid was resented-announcing a clear purpose
to pass it back to China, from which it had been
ravShed.
In western usage, when man refuses to make
time the essence of contract, he is looked
upon as trickster sharper or rascal out
right. There is no reason to apply any other
standard of appraisement to contracts between
natl Mr. 1,c
saying that Japan would fix time limit. But
that it not the point; Japan has at no time been
other than custodian of the territories in ques-
ton, in behalf of its allies, and these are under
bonds to see that the ravished territory is given
back to China.
trne tied about the finger of the United States
to remind it that the United States must dare
not demand of Japan return of Shantung. Japan
will set up claim of trust for the east such as
the Monroe Doctrine covers for the United
States in the Western World. Have not the
allies in their Peace Congress, made of the
claims of Japan a regional agreement? And
did not the Lansing-Ishi agreement define
Japan's relations of interest in China through
cohtguity and give recognition in essence to its
later claim for a regional agreement?
1t is now said that Mr.. Lansing and General
Bliss and Mr.. White made representations to
President Wilson to the effect that in their
oploh the oHdiltung agreement dld violence
to the spirit Of the peace treaty; and this letter
or memorandum will doubtless be brought to
light before the senate committee, if it, indeed
exists. Let Japan have its way and the United
States will be blocked in China; the open-door
will be padlocked, China will be reduced to
satrapy of Japan and the United States will
have lost the friendship of the Chinese. This
Shantung agreement is a pandora box of ills
for the United States; ills that have not been
half covered in this comment. Mr.. Wilson
should first be Intercepted upon this matter
by the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
1t is vital. 1t should be cleared of all am
bguity.
Hnop Ponooa,oT NInH Do