New-York tribune., 1921-12-04
China Wins
Concessions
From Powers
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to relinquish the important rights she
has lawfully acquired and at no small
sacrifice. The territory in question
forms a part Of Manchuria, region
where, by reason of its close propin-
anything else, she has vital interests
in that which relates to her economic
life and national safety.
This fact was recognized and as
surance was given by the American,
British and French governments at the
time of the formation of the interna-
tional consortium that these vital in
terests of Japan in the region in ques-
tion shall be safeguarded.
Essential to Economic Life
"In the leased territory of Kwan-
tung province there reside no less than
65 900 Japanese, and the commercial
and industrial interests they have es
tablished there are of such Importance
and magnitude to Japan that they are
regarded as an essential part of her
economic life"
Mr. Hanihara concluded by asserting
that the attitude of his government
in regard to Manchuria could not be
cOuSlQeESQ q ViOlatiOu Ol tuC pIllSIpiCS
adopted by the conference on Novem-
Der 81, by which all the powers agreed
to recognize China's territorial integ
rity. These principles were drafted by
Elihu Root.
Attention was directed to the i'm
portance to China of the abolition of
leases on her territory, which have
been in effect for twenty-three years
and which were to have continued for
seventy-sis years longer.
The system adopted by European
powers for leasing territory in China
was initiated by the aggressions of
1898 of part Of Shantung Province con-
strained the Chinese government to
grant a lease for ninety-nine years Of
the Bay of Kiao-chau in Shantung
Province. This was closely followed
by a demand on the part of Russia for
the lease of the Liao-tung Peninsula, in
which are located the ports of Port
Arthur and Dairen, along with the de-
mand for the right of building a rail
and to traverse the Manchurian
Province from Port Arthur and Dairen
to join the Transsiberian Railway at
Vladivostok. The Russo-Japanese War
resulted IN 1905 in the transfer of
those territories to Japan with the con-
sent of China.
History of Losses Reviewed
Following the lease of Kiao-chau Bay
to Germany and that of Port Arthur
and Darein to Russia, France obtained
from China the lease of Kwang-chou-
wan on the coast of Kwang-tung Prov
lnce for ninety-nine years, and Great
Britain the lease, also for ninety-nine
years, of an extension Of Kowloon and
the adjoining territory and waters
close to Hongkong. The lease was
for $50 long period as Port Arthur
should remain in the occupation Of
Russia" Great Britain also leased the
port of Weihaiwei in the same year.
Both Great Britain and France based
their claim for the leases on the
ground of preserving the balance Of
power in the Far East
Presenting Cnina's case that her
territorial integrity cannot be pre-
served by the existence of these leases,
DR.. Alfred SEE declared that the Euro
pean powers had established virtual
emporium in imperio," or an empire
within an empire, in China. Conflicts
China stands on friendly terms, were
likely to result from the leaseholds,
Mr.. SEE said, and he asked the surren-
der Of the leases "to remove discernible
sources of controversy in the Far East"
Speaking for France, M. Viviani said: /:
"The French delegation stated that the
government of the Republic is ready to
join in the collective restitution of
territories leased to various powers in
China, it being understood that the
conditions and the limits of the resti-
tuition shall be determined by agree
ment between the Chinese government
anA aa0b rf tho n fc
cerned.''
Britain to Keep Kowloon
Great Britain. Mr.. Balfour said,
would enter such an agreement and
would give up Weihaiwei, but did not
loon. base which is used to protect
Hongkong.
"The safeguarding of Hongkong,"
said Mr.. Balfour, "is not merely Brit
ish interest, but one in which the
whole world is concerned" Mr.. Bal
four described Hongkong as first among
the ports of the world, not excepting
Hamburg, Antwerp or New York.
Mr.. Balfour then referred to Weihai-
wei. The acquisition by Great Britain
of this lease had been part Of the gen
territories in 1898, in which Russia,
Germany and France, as we'll as Great
Britain, had been concerned, ne said.
The motive which had animated the
Germans in acquiring Kiao-chau had
been largely to secure economic DOM
ination. The motive of the British gov
ernment in acquiring the lease of
Weihaiwei had been connected with re-
sistance to the economic domination Of
China by other powers. It had been
based on desire for the maintenance
of the balance of power in the Far
East, with viaw to the maintenanc.
Of the policy of the open door. xnd ar0
been intended as check to the pred
atory action of Germany and Russia,
Mr.. Balfour contended.
Commercial Designs Denied
I AS showing that Great Britain had no
commercial designs in acquiring Wei
haiwei, Mr.. Balfour declared that Eng
land announced in 1898 that she will