The New York herald., 1920-01-23
TELLS OF CHINA'S
SHANTUNG POSITION
Professor Yule Meng Chen Talks
at Rotary Club
Luncheon.

Professor Yule Meng Chen, Chinese pro-
fessor at Columbia University. declared
Yesterday at a luncheon Of the Rotary
club at the McAlpin Hotel that the situa-
ton regarding Shantung demanded the
active participation of the United States
to block Japan's purpose of dominating
China socially. politically and industrially.
lie opened his address by saying that the
popular conception of the Chinese in
bundle of contradictions. lie admitted the
Chinese were contradictory. They write
their names backward. They do not say
Uncle Sam. but Sam, Uncle" 1t was
true they reverse the order OF dinner and
begin with the dessert and end with the
soup; but, he added, no people is to be
measured b. the standard OF the hab-
it's. customs and laws of another, but
by its achievements in the progress
Of the world. He spoke of China. with
its EUO0,pO population. as a nation who's
principal aeset is love of peace. Hence
1t is a weak nation in the eyes of the
great Powers, all striving TO get a piece
of China.
The speaker told OF the twenty-one de-
mands made on China by Japan in 1918.
which he said meant that Japan demanded
control of all Manchuria, Shantung and
the minerals in these rich provinces, as
we'll as domination in Chinese political and
industrial affairs. Preceding these de-
mands. Japan seized kaio-Chau a very
important post which will carry with il
the control of Shantung.
when President Wilson gave voice to
his great sentiment the self-determina-
ton of peoples. China believed what all
the world believed. that it meant what
he said" said Professor Yule. with
this in view China sent her representatives
to Paris, charged with bringing to the
peace conference her demands to be re-
lieved from the burden OF foreign control.
But when the Chinese representatives
reached Paris they learned to their sur
prise that they would not be heard. Rather.
1t was decided that Shantung should go
TO Japan. This was done on the vote of
the Allies and for their benefit. China
was an ally and did her part in the war
III self-determination of people is to mean
anything. this sanction of Japan's seizure
of Chinese territory was wrong.
1T has been said that possession Of
kaio Chau does not mean the control of
Shantung. Let us see. IL would be the
same as would be the case If the United
states should turn over the port of New
York to Japan, with all it's docks and
terminals and the power TO extend the
railroad lines as far into the interior as
Japan desired. with the right to exploit
any adjacent mines. Can you imagine
anything like that being done here?
Il am under the impression that the
real plan of Japan is misunderstood in
this matter by most Americans. Japan s
purpose is to gain absolute control of
China's political and industrial life. Any
balance of power thus would become
japanese. Would the other great nations
like that? Shantung is a very rich prov
ince. 1t offers one of the best markets
in the world to America and for the in
vestment of Americans; but Japan con-
trolls il today.
Hence" concluded Professor Yule, II
believe that the Shantung question con-
Germs not only China but all the rest OF
the world, and particularly the United
States"