The sun., 1919-08-27

The historic outrage OF Poland's parti-
ton, the story OF Alsace-L,orraine, are
too familiar to need recounting. Yet we
write here an Infinitely worse interna-
tlonal injustice. For Poland and Alsace-
Lorraine at least were taken by con-
quest from an enemy; shantung is taken
from a friend and ally by those bound
to protect and support her.
Self differentiation is not a mere
phrase our President has said. In a
fortnight after the Shantung decision
was announced, China was aroused as
never before seething with protests, her
young men organizing to protect her.
Yes, we will ignore that principle of self
determination only at our peril, as the
President has said
Senator McCumber has laid down
two propositions: That Japan can be
relied upon To keep her word and return
the province to China and that she has
promised to return II and all rights she
holds In II. I pass the first and call at
tention TO the fact that never when
Japan has promised to return anything
has she handed back more than the
empty shell. Returning all she had even
promised to do she yet holds the rail-
roads. mines. economic rights insuring
her absolute control of the province. She
could technically keep her word and yet
remain absolute master
when, through Baron Uchida,' Japan
made q statement In explanation OF her
position. President Wilson was forced to
correct him at once. Uchida assumed
that the cession to her was a recogni-
tion of the validity of the 1915 treaty,
wrested from China by force. Tho
President retorted that that treaty had
nothing to do with It So, before the
ink was dry on the written agreement,
there was dispute between its makers
about it's construction. II such disagree
ments confront US now what will be the
case when all these men are out Of
office? The Speaker of the Japanese
Diet has declared that Japan has prom
ised to return nothing and will return
| nothing. Suppose IN five years he shall
be Japan's Premier? Yet the press of
Japan fully sustains him.
Mr. Borah reviewed the testimony of
DR.. E. 7. Williams, Oriental expert OF
the American peace delegation at Paris,
on this subjest. In effect. he showed.
Japan gives up a seventy-eight year
lease of certain concessions and gets
perpetual title to whatever she chooses
to take.
1T Is a delicate matter" ne pro-
ceeded TO discuss whether Japan IL
BNth " hccpinB neT engagements. Inc
Senator from North Dakota is sure she
will do SO. But Japan's course toward
China is the almost exact duplicate of
her policy In Corea. In 1894 Japans
treaty with Corea pledged her to main
| tain the independence OF Corea full and
complete In 1898 Japan and Russia In
treaty agreed mutually 20 respect the
| sovereignty and integrity OF Corea. In
1904 England and Japan in their ain
ance pledged themselves to maintain the
| territorial integrity of China and Corea.
In 1904 JapaS in her declaration of war
| against Russia said she considered the
| independence of Corea essential. Japan
made with Corea an agreement to guar
antee It.
'On November I, 1905, the Corean
| Emperor by duress. being In the hands
personally Of Japanese officers, was COM
PEELED to sign his abdication. He sur
! rendered all control Of Corea to Japan.
Two years later Japan prevented Corea 6
representatives getting q hearing at The
Hague. Still year later Japan de-
clared through Count Ito that II was no
| part of her policy to annex Corea- In
| 1a09 that same Count Ito declared
Corea must be amalgamatsd with
Japan
These were all agreements OF Japan
given solemnly in writing. and public
DEGREES engaging to protect Corea. All
were ignored and Corea annexed We
! compare them with the vague assurances
OF good intentions toward China