Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-07-23
EXPECT JAPAN
TO SOON VOICE
SHANTUNG AIM
Look for Toxic to State
Policy and Thus Re-
move Obstacle.
BY DAVID LANRENCR.

Copyright, 1919, by The Argus.)
Washington, d. c., July 23.-The
Japanese government has been
urged to make a formal statement
of her intentions with respect to
Shantung; serious consideration is
being given the proposal in Toxic.
There is every sign that before
many days have passed one of the
chief obstacles to the ratification
of the peace treaty and League of
Nations will have been overcome.
Information obtainable here con-
corning the Japanese attitude on
Shantung makes it possible to in
dicate as a way out of the diff
Guilty an expression something like
this:
Japan does not understand why
American senator's should question
her motives or her pledged word,
but will not fail nevertheless to
reiterate the promise formally
made on May %, 1915, to restore
Kiachou to China.
Japan has received by the Yer
sailles treaty only those rights and
privileges previously held by Ger
many.
No secret treaty or agreement
was ever made between Germany
and Japan during the war and any
suggestion of that kind is a public
reflection on Japan's integrity and
good faith as an ally.
Asked to Fix Time.
President Wilson urged the Jap
anese mission in Paris to fix def
mite time when KiaOchou would
be restored to China. In view of
the agitation in the United States
and particularly the greater harm
to Japanese American relations
than good which Japan can obtain
by insisting on a policy of silence
with respect to her intentions in
Shantung, the advisability of a
public expression by Japan fixing
a time limit appeals strongly to
Japanese here as a solution of the
controversy.
Nothing could be more explicit,
declare Japanese officials. than the
following pledge made by Japan
on May 25, 1915:
IF, upon the conclusion of the
present war, the Japanese govern
ment should be given an absolute
ly free disposal of the leased terri
tory of Kiaochou bay, they will re-
turn the said leased territory to
China subject TO the following con-
ditions:
Il. Opening Of the whole Kiao-
chou as commercial port
20. Establishment of a Japanese
cnff InTnnnf in tho InNa1ifu IN hn
designated by the Japanese govern
ment.
"3. Establishment, If desired by
the powers, of an international set
a. Arrangements to be made
before the return of said territory
Is effected between the Japanese
and Chinese governments with re-
5pect to the disposal of German
public establishments and proper
ties and with regard to the other
conditions and procedures.
China also agreed on that same
late as follows:
"The Chinese government en-
cages to recognize all matters that
nay be agreed upon between the
Japanese government and The Ger
nan government respecting the
of all the rights. inter
ests and concessions which Ger
many possesses in relation to the !
province of Shantung."
China Changes Stand.
Now China has refused to carry |
)ut that promise by declining to |
sign the Versailles peace treaty, |
that the ABOVE pledge was |
made under duress Of ultimatum. |
Nevertheless notification of the re-
,udiation of the pledge was given |
,rior to the Versailles conference.
indeed, the sending of a special
mission by the Chinese govern
nent to Japan to decorate the
Japanese emperor was generally |
ooked upon as an evidence of the |
of friendly relations
.fter the negotiations Of 1915.
Japan has again and again prom
sed in memorandum and oral con-
between her diplomats
nd the officials of entente govern
nents that she would return Kiao-
bO,, - 0tbi-o Che navor hac aSIx-