The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-07-17
JAPAN AROUSED
BY US. FEELING
OVER SHANTUNG
Diplomatic Aid Is Asked to
Help Relieve Tension
and Danger.
WANT PLANS OUTLINED
Those Here Who Look Ahead
Seek More Than General
Promises From Toxic.
special Despotch 10 TIE srx.


| WASHINGTON. July 16.-Pressure is
being brought to bear upon Japan
automatically to check the wave of
American indignation against the
Shantung settlement by the issuance
of a definite statement stipulating
when and how Chinese rights are to
be recognized in the province. Jap
anese officials are being informed from
various quarters that there is no hope
OF reestablishing Japan in the esteem
of the American people until the Shan
tung affair Ia disposed of.
The remedy to the present unwel-
situation must be supplied by the
Toxic Government itself, diplomats
point out, and the sooner Japan makes
definite declaration concerning the
protection Of Chinese rights in Shan
tung and the ultimate return or this
Chinese territory with its thirty odd
million inhabitants to Its rtghtful
owner the better it will be for all con-
cerned
| There is admittedly an element OF
danger In the situation, because the
Japanese people are becoming aroused
and because the Toxic Foreign once
apparently has determined upon a policy
which does not meet general approval
anywhere except in Japan. The policy
at present is to deal with the Shantung
situation by direct diplomatic negotia-
ton with China, but not to initiate ne
gotiations until China retracts all i'm
,putations OF Japan's bad faith.
Say Agreement Is violated.
| The Chinese agitation is looked upon
By the Japanese as impugning their mo-
tives, and the great interest which the
American people are taking in the Shan
tung affair is keenly resented by the
rank and file Of the Japanese people on
the ground that America is violating
the spirit of the Lansing-Ishii agree
ment by interfering with matters In
i"Japan's sphere of influence"
From the japanese viewpoint affairs
in China come strictly within the prov
ince of Japan's Monroe Doctrine, and
regional understandings" of this char
acter cannot be made subjects for In
ternational interference under the Peace
Treaty. according to the view enter
(tained by many Japanese. The fact
that public opinion In America has upset
this regional understanding and sought
to take Japan's management OF Chinese
affairs from the realm OF Tokio's
exclusive jurisdiction may be cited as a
valid excuse FOR other nations interfer-
ing with the Monroe Doctrine at some
future time. the japanese assert. They
say that II America can interfere in
lJapan's sphere OF influence" there Is
mo reason why Japan should not have
the reciprocal right to interest itself in
purely American problems.
But this japanese contention, as well
as others advanced by Japanese states
men in defence OF the Shantung af-
fair. have admittedly failed 30 far in
influencing public opinion in the United
States. The Japanese proposal to deal
automatically with China does not prom
ise to satisfy American opinion. because
III Is generally believed that this sort
fof Japanese Chinese negotiation spells
pressure from Toxic upon Pekin. with
the invariable result that Pekin yields
under determined suaslon OF threats. as
the case may be.
Mixup over Two Governments.
Besides. this question of direct Chi
nese- Japanese negotiation is compli-
Gated now by the fact that there are
virtually two governments In China, and
even II Japan persuaded Pekin to yield
the people of south China would have to
be reckoned with. 1t Is generally con-
ceded that the real outspoken opposi-
ton to japanese claims comes from the
people of south China. and unless there
is a change Of japanese policy there
appears to be little chance of Pekin
dominating the situation even so far as
the Chinese are concerned.
Japanese diplomats take the stand
that Japan has promised to restore
Shantung to China and that this prom
ise must not be regarded with suspicion
In view OF the fact that Japan's record
for living up to her international obli-
cations is beyond reproach. Therefore
the Japanese contend. the question OF
when and how Shantung Is returned OF
which rights Japan conserves should be
left TO Japan's honor. which cannot be
challenged.
oriciais and diplomats here admit tina,
Japan's intentions may be good, but
they say that something more than q
vague. indefinite promise regarding
Shsntung is imperatively called for al
present. Delay in making this declara-
ton would. It is contended, develop into
a source Of certain suspicion even II
Japan actually planned TO give the
world ant example OF unselhshness a,
some future date.
Wants to Take, hut Not 10 Give.
II has been generally commented upon
In diplomatic circles that Japan 30 far