The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-07-15
JAPAN GIVEN
SHANTUNG IN
SECRET PACT
SAYS NORRIS
Allied Nations Plotted Against
China, Senator Charges -
Says Ratification Would be
Dark Stain on History.
SAYS PEOPLE Deceived
(By Associated Press)

10Y ASSOCIATED FreSSD
WASHINGTON, July 15.-A charge
that Japan secretly secured pledges
from Great Britain, France. Italy and
Russia early in 1917 that in the peace
settlement Shantung peninsula should.
for certain considerations, be turned
over to the Toxic government, was
made in the senate today by Senator
Norris. Republican Of Nebraska, who
produced what he declared to be
copies of diplomatic correspondence
embodying the promises of Great
Britain and France. These pledged,
the Nebraska Senator declared, fully
explained the pressure which resulted
in Shantung's transfer to Japan under
the Versailles treaty, whose ratifioa.
tion by the senate. he asserted, would
write "the blackest page in the na-
tons history"
Great Brita1n's influence in the mat
ter, he charged, was secured by ia
pans support Of British claims to Pa
cific islands south of the equator.
while Frances aid was purchased by
a promise Of the Toxic government
to help draw China into the war SO
would be available for carrying troops
and provisions to France.
Cables Government
ION the 27th day Of March. 1916"
said Senator Norris, the Japanese
minister Of foreign affairs at Toxic ap-
preached the British ambassador To-
Gated at that place, with view OF
bringing about an agreement with the
British government. The British min
lister cabled to his government at Lon
don, and after receiving instructions
from his government, wrote the jap
anese government as follows:
British Embassy. Toxic, Febru-
ary 16. 1917.
my Dear Excellency:
with reference to the subject Of
our conversation Of the 27th ultimo
:, his Brittanic majesty's gov
ernment accede with pleasure to re-
quest of the Japanese government for
an assurance that they will support
Japan's claims in regard to the dis
posal Of Germany's rights in Shantung
and possessions in the islands north
of the equator on the occasion OF the
peace conference; it being understood
that the Japanese government will in
| the eventual peace settlement treat
in the same spirit Great Brttatn's
claims to the German islands south OF
the equator.
"I avail myself of this opportunity
M. le Ministre to renew to your ex-
ce1lency the assurance Of my highest
consideration.
| "'His Brttanic Majesty's Ambassa-
DOR
| Promises Support.
| "On the 21st day of February, 1917.
the Japanese government replied to
this communication OF the BRUSH gov
eminent as follows:
(Omitting formal part)
"The Japanese government 10 deep
Iy appreciative of the friendly spirit
in which your government has given
assurance and happy to note 1t as
fresh proof Of the close ties that unite
the two allied powers. I take pleas
ure in stating that the Japanese gov
ernment on its part is fully prepared
to support in the some spirit the
claims which may be put forward ut
the peace conference In regard to the
German possessions in the Islands
south of the equator.
while the japanese government
was waiting for reply from the Brit
ish government, it proceeded also to
negotiate with the other allied gov
ernments. Its message to the French
AMBASSADOR at Toxic was signed by
the Japanese foreign minister. and
was as follows:
""The imperial Japanese govern
ment proposes to demand from Ger
many at the time of the peace nego-
!: tiations the surrender of the territor-
ial rights and special interests Ger
many possessed before the war In
shantung and the islands situated
, north of the equator in the Pacific
ocean.
, "'The imperial Japanese govern
ment confidently hopes the government
of the French republic realizing the
J legitimacy of these demands Will give
assurance that her case being proved.
Japan may count upon its full sup
port in this question.
"1t goes without saying that rep
aration for damages caused to the life
; and property Of the Japanese people
by the unjustif1able attacks OF the
r eemy, as we'll as other conditions OF
peace, of character common to all
7 the entente powers, are entirely out.
5 side the consideration OF the present
question
! French In Agreement.
"a few days later the French am
bassador replied to the japanese for
q eign Office as follows: The govern
Q ment of the French republic Is dis
: posed to give the Japanese government
! it's accord in regulating at the time
3 of the peace negotiations questions
s vital to Japan concerning Shantung
and the German islands In the Pa.
0 cific north of the equator. It also
C agrees to support the demands Of the
e imperial Japanese government for the
b surrender of the rights Germany pos
e sessed before the war in this Chinese
+ province and these islands.
q IN. BRAND demands, on the othel
e hand. that Japan give it's support te
obtain from China the breaking Of it.
J. diplomatic relations with Germany
l. and that it give this act desirable
Continued on Page Eight.