New-York tribune., 1921-12-02

Agreement on
Shantung Near
Delegates of Both Nations
Unite in Predicting an
early and Just Settle
ment'' of Vexing Issue
Protest Comes Over Sea
Direct Negotiations With
Nipponese Excites Bit
ter Chinese Resentment
By Thomas Steep

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1.-Progress was
recorded to-day in the direct negotia-
tions opened between Japan and China
for the return of Shantung to China
1T was sufficient to prompt the Japa-
nese and Chinese delegates to predict
that IAN early and just settlement u
would result in Japan's surrender OF
Tsingtao, the naval base, Kiaochau;
the district embracing the port, and
the Shantung Railway on a basis sat
isfactory to the Chinese government.
But the reported progress was not
sufficient to quell storm of protest,
which is said TO be sweeping through
the Chinese Republic from Peking to
Canton and which manifested itself
here, against the Chinese delegates
adoption of the plan to settle the con-
troversy outside of the armament con-
ference.
Revolutionary China, led by Students
progrescives and others who helped to
overthrow the Manchu dynasty ten years
ago, is said to have taken a strong
stand against China's opening negotia-
tions directly and outside of the con-
ference. Cable messages arrived from
Peking and Canton asserting that any
agreement which does not repudiate the
| Treaty of Versailles and which fails
to give Shantung back to China uncon-
ditionally will not be acceptable to the
Chinese people.
Chinese Delegation Picketed
In Washington the protest took the
form of picket around the head
quarters of the Chinese delegation in
Massachusetts, Avenue. Placards were
carried in front of the house, announc-
/ ing in Chinese characters eve demand
the unconditional surrender of Shan
tung. We oppose direct negotiations" )"
Explanation was offered by Chinese
officials that discussions arranged
under the auspices of the United States
and Great Britain were in reality not
direct negotiations, because both Great
Britain and the United States each had
two observers looking on and what
ever decision was reached finally would
be reported through plenary session
of the conference. DR.. Wellington Koo,
Chinese Minister to Great Britain. said
he was entirely in accord with the plan.
He explained that the opposition arose
over a misapprehension that the Jap
anese and Chinese delegates were sitting
in secret, and indicated that the settle
| ment to be announced publicly at the
conference would have the effect of a
conclusion reached in the conference
! itself
Diplomacy of Hughes Praised
Other delegates asserted that Secre-
tary Hughes and Arthur ]. Balfour
had shown skill in effecting such an
arrangement. AS one delegate put it.
in referring to the Treaty of Yer
sailles, which gave Shantung to Japan
President Harding did not call this
conference to revise the Versailles
Treaty" No doubt exists among the
American delegates, it was learned
that Mr.. Hughes and Mr.. Balfour were
/ confident of a speedy settlement before
/ they brought Japan and China to,
! gether.
The situation as outlined at to-
days initial discussion is:
Japan wants it to be condition o1
a settlement that Tsingtao be declared
an open port But the Chinese dele.
gates contend that the port, leased By
Germany as naval base in 1898 and
seized by Japan in 1914, rightly be.
longs to China, because when Japar
seized the base she stipulated # was
her intention to restore it to China
! China made it clear that she will main,
(ceHtlnusd ~ rags thrss,