Great Falls daily tribune., 1920-06-21


In its reply to China's note. of MAY
% the japanese government declared
that fundamental agreement al
ready existed between China and Japan
as to the disposition of the leased ter
ritory of kiao-Chow in Shantung, and
that japan therefore. could not under
stand China's previous disinclination TO
negotiate directly with Japan relative TO
the restoration Of Kiao-Chow to China
and the settlement of incidental de-
tails. regardless of the fact that China
had not signed the treaty of Versailles.
Statement of Japanese.
The foreign office statement says:
When the treaty of peace became eff
fective in January the German rights
and interests in Shantung passed into
the possession of Japan by virtue of
the provisions of the pact. The Japan
ese government. in accordance with the
repeated declarations and pledges, and
with desire and intention to effect a
restoration of kiao-Ch to China and
to settle matters incident thereto, in
structed the japanese minister at Peking
to inform the Chinese government as
follows:
"First-that the japanese govern
ment. desiring TO open negotiations with
China relative TO the restoration of
Kiao Chow. and the settlement of de-
tails incident thereto, and hoping thus
to effect a speedy solution of the en-
tire question, expresses the hope that
the Chinese government will make the
ne .essary preparations for negotiations.
To Withdraw Troops.
.'Second-that il is the intention of
the japanese government TO withdraw
its troops from along the Shantung
railroad as matter Of course upon
agreement between the two governments
regarding the disposition of kiaOChow.
The japanese government wishes to
withdraw its troops as speedily as pos
sible, even before an agreement is en-
tered into. but. in the absence of any
force to assume the duty Of
guarding the railway after evacuation,
= is construed to keep those troops tenn
porarily stationed there To insure the
security of communications and safe
guard the interests of Japan and China
who are co partners i'll a joint enter
prise"
THE Japanese government therefore
hoped the Chinese government, appre-
ciating the intention of Japan. would
probably organize a police force TO re-
place Japanese troops guarding the
railway. even before agreement was re-
ported as 10 OtEer DETAILS.
Garry Out Pledges.
The japanese government was fully
prepared to proceed with negotiations to
carry gu. its pledges but nearly three
months passed without a reply. 1t is
Il source of deepest regret that at Il
time when all nations of the world are
making efforts for the establishment
Of enduring peace, questions of inde-
81 Ill To-
m and China"
Replying on May % to a request of the
Japanese government of April 20, the
Chinese government said:
1.-The Chinese government fully ap-
Jreciates the intention of Japan to pre-
pare for the evacuation of troops along
he Kiao- Chow railway, which is in
'idental TO carrying ont of the terms of
he treaty of peace. China. however, did
lot sign that treaty. and is not in a
position to negotiate directly with Japan
m the question of kiao-Chow. Further
more. the people throughout China have
assumed an Indignantly antagonistic at
itude toward the question.
Cannot Make Reply.
For these reasons, another also IN
of amity existing between
Japan and China. the Chinese govern
nent does not find itself in position
o reply at this moment.
Ion the other hand the state of war
With Germany having ceased to exist, all
japanese military establishments within
nd without the leased territory of
Iiao Chow are unnecessary, and the re-
toration of pre-war conditions is heart
" desired by the Chinese government
The people of China propose to effect
proper organization to replace jap
nese troops in order To secure and
maintain the safety of the whole line.
However, as this is independent entirely
{ the question of restoration of Kiao
how, the Chinese government trusts
apan will not delay the execution of
he order for excavations
Upon receipt OF this reply the inn