New-York tribune., 1919-06-15
Shantung Decision at Paris
Called Unjust and Opposed
TO American Ideals and
lansing 9 Statements
"Japanese Menace Cited
American Lawmakers Asked
to Refuse Ratification OF
big Four's'' Verdict

The text OF petition sent to the
United States Senate early in May by
the Chinese representatives. at the
Paris conference urging that the SEN
ate assist in securing revision Of the
Shantung settlement "by speedily pass
ing resolution affirming the same to
be Inconsistent with the national honor
and interests of America, an Incredible
Injustice to China and a danger to
world peace" was made public here
last night by the China Society Of the
United States,
The society announced that the orig
insl petition sent by cable was re-
ceived by the Foreign Relations Com
mittee of the Senate, but was not made
public because, under the rules, petit
tion from aliens cannot be received and
published in The Record except by
unanimous consent, which was denied.
The message made public was received
from Paris by mail.
The message says that it was on
the counsel of President Wilson that
China entered the war. 1t is asserted
the proposed settlement of the Shan
tung question is direct violation of
the principles of non-interference
enunciated by Secretary of State Ian
sing in November, 1917. The action
of President Wilson in agreeing in
the Council of Four to the retention
by Japan of German rights in Shan
tung is called an "injustice"
"The proposed settlement, if ratified,
would compromise the national honor
and vital interests of the American
people" the message declares, because:
Decision Called Unjust
ut is Inherently unjust to acquire
rights belonging to China by every
consideration of justice and sound pol
icy and to perpetuate the German sys-
tenn in China under American and
Allied sanction and authority.
1.-THE settlement violates every prin-
ciple Of peace formulated by the Pres
ident and agreed to by the warning
powers, and Will be interpreted by
Asia as an Anglo-Saxon and Latin re-
nunciation of great thoughts greatly
uttered at the bidding of an Asiatic
power that is summoning an ancient
East to struggle for world supremacy.
ut is justified only on the principle
Of conquest, which, indeed, is the pre-
else ground on which Baron Maxine
claimed Japan's right to the concession
of Shantung.
The entire mischief is due to de-
I. c1ing the issue and viewing it with
60 the menacing background of the
Japanese policy thrown across China
lay.
Have Faith in America
Holding fast to our faith in Amer
lea, we appeal to your Senate to say
that the decision of the council of four
against China shall not be ratified by
the American people in Congress as
sembled for the reasons set forth
herein and because it involves the
violation of the pledged word of the
american government to China and the
chief if not the only, aim Of American
policy outside the Americas.
From this view, therefore, the
equitable settlement of the Shantung
question IS as much a war aim Of
America as Of China. The only fair
and just settlement of the existing
situ alton is that all Germany's rights in
Sf 1tung be asquired By the Council
rlme Ministers and be referred to
League Of nations for disposal ac-
ing to the findings of an interna-
al commission appointed by the
erence after visiting Shantung and
stlgatlng the situation on the spot"