New-York tribune., 1920-06-21
Japan Reveals
Text of Notes
On Shantunee g
Fundamental Agreement
With China for Transfer
Of All German Rights
in Province Is Claimed
Peace Treaty No Factor
Toxic Holds That Refusal
to Negotiate Does Not
Change Existing Status

TOXIC, June 16. (By The Associated
Press, delayed. In connection with
the note handed to the Chinese gov
ernment in Peking by the Japanese
Ambassador on June A. the Japanese
Foreign Office to-day issued an official
statement embodying correspondence
passed between Japan and China on
the subject of negotiations for the
settlement of the Shantung question.
This correspondence shows that IN
its reply to China's note Of May 22
the Japanese government declared that
"a fundamental agreement" already
existed between China and Japan as
to the disposition Of the leased ter
rlJory of kiao-chau. in Shantung, and
that Japan therefore could not un-
derstand China's previous declination
TO negotiate directly with Japan rcla-
tive to the restoration of Kiao-chau
to China and the settlement of incl
dental details, regardless of the fact
Of Versailles. The text of the Foreign
Office statement reads, in part:
"The Japanese government, in ac-
cordance with repeated decla rations
instructed the Japanese Minister at
Peking to inform the Chinese govern
ment as follows:
'First-That the japanese govern
ment, desiring to open negotiations
with China relative TO the restoration
of Kiao-chau and the settlement 81
details incidental thereto, and hoping
thus to effect speedy solution of the
entire question, expresses the hope
the Chinese government will make the
necessary preparations for negota-
tons.
Troop Withdrawal Indicated
'Second-That it is the intention
Of the Japanese government to with
draw its troops from along The Shan
tung railway as q matter Of course
upon agreement between the two gov
ernments regarding the disposition of
kiao-chau. In fact, the Japanese gov
ernment wishes to withdraw its troops
as speedily as possible, but it is CON
strained to keep those troops temper
arily stationed there to insure the
security of communication and safe
guard the interests of Japan and
China, who are co-partners in a joint
enterprise.'
The Japanese government. there
fore, hoped the Chinese government
approaching the intentions Of Japan
would promptly organize police force
to replace Japanese troops guarding
the railway, even before agreement
was reached as to other details.
"The Japanese government, being ali
the more desirous of speedily settling
the matter for the mutual benefit of
the two countries, instructed the jap
anese Minister in Peking on April 2G
TO urge upon the Chinese government
the Importance of taking the necessary
steps. 1t was not until May 22 that
the Chinese government replied to this
request of the Japanese government
The reply was in the nature of re-
quest for delay, the Chinese govern
ment saying:
"'The Chinese government fully ap-
preciates the intention of Japan to
prepare for the evacuation of troops
along the kiao- chau railway, which is
incidental to carrying out the terms
of the treaty Of peace. China, how
ever, did not sign that treaty, and is
not in a position to negotiate directly
with Japan on the question of Kiao-
chau. Furthermore, the people through
out China have assumed an indignant
ly antagonistic attitude toward the
question. For these reasons, and also
in consideration Of the amity existing
between Japan and China, the Chinese
government does not find itself in 6
pOSltlon TO reply at TINS moment.
Pre-War Status Demanded
On the other hand, the state oI
war with Germany having ceased tc
exist, all Japanese military establish
ments within and without the LEASED
territory Of Kao-chau are unneces
sary and the restoration of prc-wa,
conditions is heartily desired by the
Chinese government. The people o1
China propose to effect a proper or
eanization to replace Japanese troop
in order to secure and maintain the
safety Of the whole line. However, q:
this is Independent entirely of tn,
question of restoration of Kiao-c -chau
the Chinese government trusts Japer
will not delay the execution Of the
order for evacuation
upon receipt Of this reply the i'm