The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-07-23
Solution Makes Appeal.

In view OF the agitation In the United
states and particularly the greater harm
10 Japanese American relations than
goed which Japan a obtain by in
slsting on u policy Of silence with re-
spect to ner intentions in Shantung,
the a~dvisability Of q public expression
by Japan fixing "A time limit, appeals
strongly to Japanese here as u soiu-
ton OF the controversy.
Nothing could be more explicit, de-
clare Japanese officials, than the fol-
lowing pledge made by Japan OF May
II, upon the conclusion OF the present
war, the Japanese government should
be given an absolute free disposal Of
the leased territory Of kiauchau bay,
they will return tho said leased terri
tory, to China, subject to the following
conditions:
Flrst-Opening of the whole of Kiau-
chau as Il commercial port.
SeCond-kstablishmCnt of a Japan
Csc settlement In the locality to be dsS-
igrated by the Japanese government.
Establishment, IL desired by
tho powers, Of au international settle
mGnt.
Fourth-Arrangen1ents to be made be-
Tore the return Of the said territory Is
effected between the Japanese and
Chinese governments, with respect to
the disposal Of German public establish
ments and properties and with regard
to the other conditions and procedures.
china also agreed on that same date
as follows:
THE Chinese government Engages to
recognize all matters that may be
agreed upon between the Japanese gov
and the German government,
respecting the disposition of all the
rights, interests and concessions which
Germany possesses In relation to the
province Of Shantung."
China and Her Promise.
Now China has refused to carry out
that promise by declining to sign the
Versailles peace treaty, arguing that
the above pledge was made under du-
ress OF ultimntum. Nevertheless no no
LITIGATION of a reputation of the pledge
was given prior to the Versailles con-
ference. Indeed, the sending OF n spe-
cial mission by the Chinese government
TO Japan to decorate the Japanese EN-.
peror was generally looked upon as an
evidence of the resumption of friendly
relations after the negotiations of 1916,
Japan has again and again promised
In memoranda and oral conversation
between her diplomats and the officials
OF entente governments that she would
return kiauchau to China, She never
has asked for possession Of the prov
tnce Of Shantung itself, as has been
often intimated In the public debates.
The big question asked by China and
by those In the mate who are criti-
ciging the transfer of German rights to
Japan Ia when will Japan give back
kiauchau, the principal port of Shan
tunR7"
Japan has never publicly fixed a time
limit, She may or may not have In
tended to keep the port for an inderl-
mite number OF years, Her friends in
slst she meant an early return and
win prove 1t by a public statement.
Her foes argue that her failure to be
explicit on the time OF return Is not
without a purpose,
Japan herself IL considering the an
swer tu,the question. Whether the dec
latation will cofne In the form of a
communication to President Wilson
from the Japanese premier or minister
of foreign affairs or iroin Baron Ma
kino, head Of the Japanese delegation
In Paris, is AS yet uncertain, but that
It statement by Japan will clear UP the
Shantung controversy Is what senators
and others who have been talking with
President Wilson confidently expect.
And wi the Shantung problem out
of the wa, the opponents OF the treaty
will centci their attack on Article TO
and the phraseology Of the clauses safe
guarding the Monroe doctrine. Thus Is
the senate openly arriving at it's de-
cisionE concerning the covenant that
anne from Versailles.
Copyright, 1919, by The News SCini-
tnrl