El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-07-29
JAPAN To MAKE
NO STATEMENT
VIII Not Play Trump Card
Unless China Signs
Treaty.

ward. senator's on capital hflgave re-
porters the impression that Mr. Wilson
was hoping for a direct statement
for one. What is, however. incorrect.
is the inference that Mr.. Wilson
threatened TO make a public statement
il Japan did not do so.
This published story is resented by
friends of Japan on the ground that
public opinion in japan would not
take enthusiastically to what IL might
thus construe as coercion. Indeed
there IS n reason to believe that the
impression grew merely out Of the
idea that the way out Of the Shantung
controversy lay in two distinct meth
ods-eitner a statement by Japan OF
her intention to return Kiao Chow
on a fixed date. or else permission
from Japan enabling president Wilson
to make public the document in his
possession relating TO the return OF
the leased territory to China.
IL Is Uncomfortable that sIr. VIII
son adopted any threatening atti-
tude in them fddle of n friendly
OF the president depIOre attempts
TO stir mp bad feeling that way.
ON the other hand. the second visit
by the Japanese charge d'nffnres
carries the inference that he has
received some word from his gov
eminent in answer to the in
qulry made last week.
The position of Japan would seem,
therefore. to be this:
The head Of the Japanese delegation
made certain statements to president
Wilson at Paris. both orally and in
writing. The Toxic ministry. which
is already under fire BY the opposi-
ton party heady by baron Kator for
its attitude in the peace conference.
does not feel itself entirely familiar
with what happened at Paris.
Must Arnit Enjoys Return.
Marquis Sainoji left London a few
days ago Wit the Mediterranean.
and ought to be Toxic within a month.
Until the Japanese government knows
all the assurance and commitments
made by its delegation, it does not
want to make any public statement.
but may, of course, find It advisable
TO make some brief pronouncement
The cables between Paris and Toxic
have been working badly. Il is known
that the congestion on the Pacific
cables has amounted at times to a de-
lay Of seven days.
Japan doesn't wish in any way
TO seem TO be sighting American
public opinion. The dangers of
present controversy. partfculariy
its after effects on the relations
japan, have been carefully re-
ported to the japanese govern
ment.
But, the japanese government feels
its hands tied by circumstances. Just
as president Wilson himself. in his let
ter to senator Lodge. asked for the in
diligence of tnel senate until he gets
from Paris certain papers needed to
answer the questions asked in the
senate resolutions. so Japan would
like the indulgence OF the American
people until her premier and foreign
minister can confer with the japanese
delegates now enroute home
China's Attitude Important.
But there is stin another circum-
stance which is OF the utmost import
ance and which bears directly on the
formula by which the controversy
may be settled. 1t is China's persistent
refusal to sign the peace treaty Until
China definitely attaches her sigma
ture or publicity expresses her
intention TO do SO. Japan does not
feel that her neishbor will be COM
mltted to the cessiOn Of these eco
nomic rights to Japan which are 10
accompany the agreement returning
Kiao Chow TO China In other words,
China, in the opinion Of the japanese,
ought to express her desire to negO-
tiate for the return Of Kiao Chow at
the same time she should sign the
peace treaty itself.
There always has been a good deal
OF diplomatic jockeying and bargain
ing between japan and China in the
past, and for Japan to promise out
right that she would restore kia0
Chow on a certain date, might. II IS
feared By Japan, cause China 10 be-
come Indifferent TO the japanese
claim on economic questions.
Japan considers that she would
be playing her trump card-the
date for the return OF kiaO
Ch0w-uithOut getting in return
even an assurance OF Chinu's in
tention to sign the treaty
So. the Shantung controversy. I'M
less president Wilson makes some un-
expected move in the situation. would
seem to some extent 10 be dependent
upon the return Of the japanese mis-
sion to Toxic and some definite ex-
preston from China in the interim
concerning her signature to the peace
treaty.
aHIGHERUPSs ARE BLAMED