The sun., 1919-08-16
'SHANTUNG RETURN
DEPENDS ON CHINA
Pekin's Attitude to Determine
When Japan Will Carry
Out Her Pledge.
PREMIER HARA SPEAKS
Wave Of American Hostility
Viewed With Concern,
He Says.
BY the Associated Press.

TOXIC, Aug. IL (delayed) .-Restitu-
lion to China by Japan Of shsntuns prov
ince. including Kiao-Chau. now occupied
by japanese forces, will be made with
out unnecessary delay. but the time re-
quired will be dependent upon the atti-
tude of China, said Takashi Hara, Japa-
nese Premier, to-day, in answer to n
question as to when actual restoration
would take place. The Premier, In an
swering the query OF the Associated
Press correspondent, made the following
, statement:
MY colleague, viscount Uchida. Min
lister OF Foreign Affairs, issued a state
ment on August 2 in explanation of our
policy respecting the Shantung question.
That statement represents the considered
opinion of this Government, and I have
little to add in dealing with the same
subject"
what Uchida Promised.
tViscount Uchida, In his statement
which was referred to by the Premier.
said that Japan was willing to restore
Shantung to China, and would enter into
. negotiations with the Pekin Government
as soon as possible after the Versailles
treaty should be ratified by Japan.1
| when Japan will return Kiao-Chau to
China l would point out in reply that
| for the restitution OF Kiao-Chau detailed
| arrangements should be worked out be-
forehand in common accord between the
Japanese and Chinese Governments and
| that the length OF time required for such
arrangements depends largely upon the
attitude of China,
I'm any case we fully realize that II
is as much In our own interests as In the
interests OF China to accelerate to the
conclusion Of all needed arrangements
and to effect without unnecessary delay
the restitution OF leased territory which
we have solemnly undertaken"
q. 8. Hostility Discussed.
Premier Hsra and high officials OF the
Japanese Government discussed frankly
with the correspondent what was called
the wave Of anti-Japanese feeling" in
America. They were plainly disturbed
by reliable reports received here show
Ing uneasiness as to Japans attitude rel
alive to Shantung as one cause for the
sentiment Of discomfort among the
friends OF Japan, but felt Japan's re-
peated assurances as to restitution. with
the Premiers statement to the Associ-
ated Press to-day. should clear the air
and prevent any deplorable misunder-
standing.
1t is frankly admitted here that
Japan's so-called militarism Is respon-
| sible for much uneasiness abroad. but
| the opinion is expressed that foreign
critics who call Japan the Germany OF
/ the Far East neglect to take into con-
sideration the internal and historic rea-
sons which led the japanese people to
venerate the army and navy. including
the historic part which the Choshu and
Satsuma clans, which are, respectively.
behind the army and navy, played in the
restoration of the imperial dynasty and
In the wars with China and Russia.
| Nevertheless the Japanese insist there
Is a distinct movement under way to
curb any excessive influence held by the
militarists which might be calculated to
be harmful to the legitimate develop
ment Of the nation and inimical Ia
Japan's relations with America.