The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-07-29
WILSON TO KEEP
JAPAN'SSECRET
President Pledged Not to Di-
vulge'Hidden Nippon Plans
Relating to Shantung.
TOXIC NOW RESENTFUL
Unwilling to Give Territory to
China Internationally or
Make Any Promises.
TOXIC NOW RESENTFUL
SpeciaI Despntch to TIE Sun.

only unwilling to restore Shantung to
China Internationally or to make any
binding promise in that respect, but
will resent any move on the part of
President Wilson directly challenging
Japan's stand in the matter. The Jap
anese Governpent Furthermore does
not look with favor on the disclosure
by President Wilson or any one else Of
the secret conferences which preceded
the surrender to Japan's demands in
Paris
These facts were indicated to-day on
excellent authority. A report that
Japan expected President Wilson to
divulge these secret understandings
prompted the explanation which made
1t clear that the Japanese have no
such desire.
The reason for Japans desire for
secrecy is known here only to the
President and very few others. 1t is
presumed, however, that this part Of
the open covenants of peace openly
arrived at" is forever to remain one
Of the many secrets Of the diplomatic
intrigues which the leaders do not
want any of the peoples concerned to
learn Of. 1t is indicated that It might
be very embarrassing to Japan in her
future dealings with China to have
the hidden plans of the japanese d.
vulged at this time or to have the
Chinese understand how Japanese
diplomacy pictured the real Far East
ern situation for the especial benefit of
President Wilson and Premiers Lloyd
George and Clemenceau.
Bound by Pledge to Japan.
The President is understood to be
absolutely bound by the secret under
standings reached with the japanese
at the conferences which preceded the
Shantung decision. 1t is admitted in
Administration circles that the Presi-
dent cannot divulge these secrets to
the American people without first OBJ
tanning Japan's permission, and the in
dications are that the Toxic Govern
ment resents the idea OF giving these
data to the world.
The State Department is understood
to have taken the Shantung matter UP
with the Charge d'Anaires of the
Japanese Embassy, but 1t appears that
no formal or direct request has been
made that the Japanese Governments
70 ar
tionally to China, The most that the
State Department has done has been to
suggest that Toxic make some declara-
ton sufficient to stem the tide of criti-
cism against the taking over of Chinese
territory without the consent OF the in
habitants and the Japanese plans for
continual military and commercial ex-
ploitation OF this Chinese province. At
the same time Henry White in Paris is
said to have made similar suggestions
to Baron Maxine. But both the Jap
anese Charge and Baron Maxine have
agreed only to refer the suggestions to
Toxic.
Japan is believed to be waiting to
see IL the storm of public indignation in
the United States will blow over. In
that case there may be no move on
Japans part, but diplomats here believe
1t more than likely that something will
De uOHc 10 meet ING wave OIL CTlIlClSln
here.
Motives in Railway and Mines.
The Japanese Government might be
willing. 1t is said, TO agree to restore
Tsingtau after stipulated time, but the
vitally important Tsingtso-Tsinan Rail-
way and the mining rights win be kept
by the Japanese, as these form the real
basis for japanese domination of the
Far East, It is said. In case Tsingtau is
returned to China, the japanese will d.
vert the railway terminus to the Japa-
nese settlement nearby SO that in a
few years Tsingtau will be relatively un-
important compared to the new Japa-
nese settlement having the all-important
railway facilities,
The understanding here is that II
Japan could be assured of a passive atti-
tude by the Chinese or could obtain an
expression of approval from Pekin, the
Japanese Government would be willing
to make some minor concessions In the
Shantung matter. provided the real grip
on China were not relaxed. But It is
feared in Toxic. according to advices
reaching here that the Chinese will ex-
pose to the world the real significance
of any proposed concessions by Japan,
and therefore concessions must be of real
value.