Arizona republican., 1921-12-01
SHAN TUNG ISSUE.
FINDS WAY INTO.
ARMS SESSIONS.
IRepublican A. P. Leased wireI


WASHINGTON. Nov. 30-Bringing
with it some of the sharpest issues of
world diplomacy, the Shantung con-
troversy took its place today at the
arms conference.
The result was an offer by the
United States and Great Britain, ac-
cepted by Japan and China, to as
sumo the role of friendly advisers in
a new attempt to solve the problem
and end the long and bitter debate.
The plan for an exercise of Amer
lean and British good Offices is I'M
derstood to have originated with the
American delegation after it became
apparent China had resolved to raise
the question in the conference.
viii Demand Jap Withdrawal
Secretary Hughes and A. J. Bal
four, as heads of the American and
British groups, will meet tomorrow
with the Japanese and Chinese to
lay the basis for the negotiations.
The Chinese delegates announced
tonight they would go into the dis
cussions prepared to accept nothing
less than unconditional withdrawal
of the Japanese claims in Shantung.
1t was assumed that the Japanese
spokesman would contend for the
reservations insisted on in the diplo-
matte exchange between Toxic and
Peking.
Advent OF the Shantuig question
at the council table, followed a de-
bate of the maintenance of foreign
troops In China. Speaking for Japan.
Vice Foreign Minister Hanihara de-
clared withdrawal of the japanese
troops from several parts of China,
outside Shantung. must await def
mite assurances that the Chinese au-
thorities would take more effective
steps TO maintain order.
At Hankow. said the japanese del
egate. repeated disorders had justi-
fled Japan in keeping her troops
where they now are stationed. He
declared garrisons in North China
were remaining under specific au-
thorization of the Boxer protocol and
that those along the Chinese Eastern
railway were acting under the inter
allied agreement of 1919. Willingness
of Japan to withdraw her troops from
Shantung, he asserted. as dependent
on the estimate of an acceptable
Chinese police force. The conference
postponed its decision until Friday.
Among the American delegates, the
belief was that some general decIara-
ton of principles might be adopted
finally, setting forth the opinion of
the powers that all foreign troops
should be Withdrawn when condi-
tions warrant.
Along with the general subject of
foreign troops was considered the
problem of foreign telegraph and
radio facilities installed in China
without her specific consent. with the
argument apparently tending toward
a reference of that feature of the
negotiations to a more general con-
-
to be held next year.
Wants Conference Consideration
In its approach to the Shantung
problem, the conference Is said to
have been influenced by many intri-
cate considerations. China's repre-
sentatives have indicated they want
ed the question raised openly for all
of the nine nations to debate, and
the Chinese delegate, DIR. Wang, de-
clared that the good Offices nego-
tiations by no means meant that the
subject was outside the conference"
Japan has indicated reluctance to de-
bate Shantung at the regular con-
ference sessions, becauss she ac-
cepted the invitation to Washington
with the understanding that specific
subjects should be considered only
by the nations directly concerned.
Another complicating circumstance
is tnat Japan bases her claim to
Shantung on a direct grant contained
in the treaty of Versailles, which has
been ratified by five of the nine ma
tions represented, but which China
refused to accept because of the
Shantung section. Great Britain,
France and Italy also are parties to
the secret treaties in which, during
the war, the promised to support
Japan's claim to the Kai Chow lease.
The American delegation is said to
have felt that the proper way to deal
with the question at the present
stage would be through the tender of
good offices" Although maintain
ing liaison with the conference. it is
expected that, for the most part, the
negotiations will be carried on direct
ly between the Chinese and japanese
delegates. At tomorrow's meeting,
Secretary Hughes and Mr.. Balfour
are to make preliminary Suggestions,
but thereafter they may be repre-
sented by authorized spokesman at
most of the Japanese Chinese meet
ings.
From American quarters came
hopeful expressions. The issues, 1t
was thought. now could be taken up
in Washington in an atmosphere
more favorable for results.