Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-10-24
JAPAN'S STAND
ON SHANTUNC is
DECIDEDLY PAT
Bases Rights in Province on
Terms of Versailles
Treaty.
NOT FARLEY MATERIAL


kio government informed the govern
ment of China that the Japanese take the
stand on rights conferred by the treaty
Of Versailles. Japan is willing to re-
sumo negotiations, when that fat &C
compli" is recognized by China, and
apparently not until then. The note
makes no reference to the Forthcoming
Far Eastern conference in Washington.
There seems to be no doubt Japan con-
siders Shantung improper material for
discussion at the conference, for only
her readiness to renew negotiations is
expressed when China is prepared "to
embark upon them"
1t is plain from the japanese note that
Chira has ruffled Japanese susceptit Ill
ties GY impugning the good faith Of To-
kio in negotiations to date. China
branded Japanese declarations as "hol-
low and devoid of meaning" Japan re-
sents that imputation, and regrets for
the sake of China that such derogatory
expression, contrary to the principles Of
international courtesy, should have been
used by her.
CLAIM CHINA's
PARTICIPATION SMALL.
There is another sharp rejoinder by
Japan In connection with China's basic
claim that Germany forfeited any
privileges she possessed in Shantung
when China declared war on her In 1871.
The Japanese retort that China's par
ticipation in the victory over the Central
Powers was infinitestmal, because
limited to deportation of Germans and
Austrians from China and the dispatch
of workmen to France"
The japanese note, now made public in
Washington, reads as follows:
'sThe japanese government has sub
mitted to their most careful cOnsidera
ton the memorandum Of the Chinese
government dated Oct. 5, relative to the
Shantung question. The japanese gov
eminent, animated as it has long been
by keen desire for speedy settlement
CT this question, has hitherto spared no
efforts to achieve its realization. In fact,
directly the treaty of peace with Germany
came into force in January last year, the
Japanese government sought to enter in
to negotiations on this subject. No re-
Spouse, however, was returned, from
China for several months. When 1t
eventually came it simply expressed IN
readiness to proceed with direct negotia-
ton with Japan on the ground of China's
non adherence to the treaty of peace with
part Of the general public to such steps.
whereupon the Japanese government,
while inviting the Chinese government to
reconsider the matter for reasons then
advanced, made known a willingness to
open negotiations with China a any
moment considered opportune b. her.
More than twelve months have elapsed
since then. Throughout that time the
Japanese government has been waiting
patiently for the advent Of a good OPP
portunity for taking up this question,
always hoping that the time may arrive
when calm and fair counsels may prevail
among the government and the people of
China.
REPORT CHANGE
IN ATTITUDE.
ain the meantime the attitude Of the
authorities concerned in China has un-
dergone a considerable change. On more
than one occasion they made it known
to the japanese government that they
were DESTROYS OF opening pourparlers with
Japan on this subject. In particular, on
the eve Of Mr.. Obata's departure for
Japan in May last, the Chinese foreign
minister expressed to him his ardent de-
sire TO see a concrete project presented
by Japan couched in just and reasonable
terms such as simultaneously would be
deemed fair by all parties. Subsequently
the authorities concerned in China con-
fdentially presented to the japanese gov
eminent a certain project In regard to
this question and later they expressed,
though unofficially, their readiness to
open negotiations with Japan.
"The japanese government, prompted
by the desire to reach a satisfactory and
speedy settlement of this question. and
taking into full account the Chinese
project above referred to, made overtures
to the Chinese government, Sept. last,
embodying most generous and fair terms
and invited the deliberate consideration
of that government.
Contrary, however, to the expectation
OF the Japanese government, the Chinese
government, in its memorandum under
consideration, expressed unwillingness
to proceed for the time being with the
negotiation in question on the ground
that the terms of settlement as proposed
By the Japanese government fell short
OF convincing them of the sincerity or
Japan's desire to settle this question.
Further they used at the beginning of
their memorandum an expression char
acteriZing most Of the Japanese declara-
tons hitherto made as hollow and de-
void of meaning. The Japanese govern
ment keenly regrets for the sake of China
that such q derogatory expression, con-
trary to the principles of international
courtesy, should have been used by her.
CONTENTION HELD
CNwARRANTED.
Furthermore, contentious put forward
by China visa -vis-the japanese project
IS inexplieit and in particular there are
a number of points on which the Japanese
government invite the reconsideration OF
the Chinese government. For instance,
argument is advanced by her that the
rights formerly enjoyed by Germany in
regard to the lease of Kiaochou, having
totally expired in consequence of China's
declaration Of war against Germany,
sho1ld be restored to China without con-
ditions. This not only is an argument
hardly warranted by the principles ana
usages of international law or by 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, last, the German repre-
sentative in China declared in his state
ment addressed to the Chinese foreign
treaty Germany had renowned all her
rights and interests which she formerly
enjoyed in Shantung under Chino-Ger-
man 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 gov
eminent, 1t is deemed to be fully
cognizant Of the effects produced by the
Versailles treaty. 1t will be remembered
that the Chinese declaration of war with
Germany was made in August, 1917, when
more than two years had already elapsed
since the transfer of former German