Arizona republican., 1921-10-23
JAP PENESSE E:A[)Y. ID HERON. SIAN UNG3
Japan's Latest Note To China Expresses Readi- ness To Negotiate Settle ment of Problems
CLAIM TREATY RIGHTS
Tokio Willing To Make Impartial Disposition Of German Property Held Under Versailles Pact

WASHINGTON, Oct. 22-The text of Japan's latest note to China un- der date of Oct. 19, relative to the proposed Shantung settlement, was made public at the Japanese embassy today. It expressed a readiness to embark on negotiations on the ques- ton at issue whenever the Chinese government, t.in full appreciation of the main purpose of the Japanese proposal and upon giving more de- liberate consideration of questions now at issue and in the interest of cordial relations between China and Japan, shall express their willing ness to open negotiations"
 The note reviewed events involv- ing the Shantung question over a pe- riod of several months and asserted Japan had hitherto spared no ef- efforts to achieve a speedy settlement of this question:
 The Japanese government" it is said, "are unableeto comprehend the l Chinese assertion that the Japanese project is entirely at variance with | principles underlying all treaties be- tween China and foreign powers"
 Transmitted in reply to the mem orandum of the Chinese. government | dated Oct 5, the nots discussed con l tentions put forward by China viz-a- viz the Japanese project" declaring they "are explicit and there are a number of points on which the Jap anese government invite reconsidera- ton of the Chinese government" Continuing, it said in part: For | instance, agreement is advanced by 1 her that the rights formerly enjoyed by Germany in regard to the lease of Kiao Chow, having expired in con | sequence of China's declaration of war against Germany, should be re- stored to China without conditions. This not only is an argument hardly l warrented by the principles and usages of international law or by the treaties in existence between China and Japan. but may be said to aim at the Illustration of effects of the Versailles treaty.
 '.On May 20, the German represent ative in China declared in his state ment addressed to the Chinese for ! eign minister that by virtue of the Versailles treaty Germany had re- nounced all her rights and interests i which she formerly enjoyed in shan tung under Chino German agreements and that she was no longer capable of restoring them direct to China. } This declaration having been duly taken note of by the Chinese govern ment they deemed it to be fully cog nizant of u effects produced by the Versailles treaty. It will be remem ; bered that the Chinese declaration , of war with Germany was made il ; August, 1917 when more than two years had elapsed since the transfer of former German rights to Japar had hpPn fI111x- f.. , by virtue of the Chfno-Japanese : treaty concerning Kiao Chow ant other matters.
 The Chinese contention. therefore that the rights of lease expired en- tlreiy as natural consequence o theChinese declaration of war agains Germany may be said to be tanta- mount to wholesale abrogation of tho treaties in existence, as well as al established facts.
 The Shantung railway was oper
 ated by Germany alone so long a 1t remained in her hands. and JapaI has taken it over from her at tn
 sacrifice of lives and treasure Fur
 ther, 1t was in September, 1918, tha It was arranged between China ant Japan to operate the Shantung rail
 way as their joint enterprise.
 4N NC Jt blfoEi tl IlldI the rep
 aration commission after having dul
 appraised the value of the Shantun railway, together with appertainin - mines, placed it to the credit of tn
 account with Germany with vier {. to setting it off against the indem D. nity to be paid by that power. C. IS, therefore, admissible China shoul
 claim to retain one-half of such rail
 way properties in her hands withou
 conditions
 As regards the Japanese propos;
 relative 10 public property of Gel
 many, the Japanese, while ready
 principle tc restore the so-called aC
 mlnlstration pubic property to Chin
 have no intention of retaining a
 other public property in her hand
 her wish being to make - a sa
 lstactory arrangement with Chin
 looking to impartial disposition such property"