The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-12-20
Unless Japan's Fl Demands
Cancelled, Principles Mean
Nothing, Declare Chinese
Chinese Delegation Declares
1t Still Represents China in
Truth Despite the Resigna-
ton of the Pekin Cabinet

~ 4hS7NNtthfoa a AN5H
Washington, December 19.-Un-
less the q demands enforced by
Japan and China in 1915 "are can
celled the principles adopted by the
Washington delegation amount to
nothing more than scraps of paper, y
the Chinese delegation disclosed in a
statement late today. The statement
added that the delegation represent
ed China in truth, despite the resig-
nation of the Pekin cabinet.
The delegation members said that
Dr. w. w. Yen minister of foreign
aHalrs, had consented to remain as
acting premier. Dr.. Yen was edu-
Gated IN the United States, having
been graduated at the University OF
Virginia and served for time as
second secretary of the Chinese ie-
cation here under Minister wu Ting
Fang.
Text of Statement
The statement issued by the del
egation said:
In reply to inquiries concerning
said by members of the Chinese
delegation that the proceedings at
the Washington conference have
emphasized the desire throughout
China to unity the country. 1t Is
the belief that the unlfication of
the country Is the sine qua non for
an Independent nation
Without strong central gov
eminent supported by the various
strong parties of China, 1t is inn
possible to avail ourselves of all the
advantages to be derived from the
principles adopted at the Washing
ton conference. The central govern
ment as well as the strong men like
General Chang Tso-Lin, of Man
churia. General Tso Kun, of Tient-
ssin and General Wu-Pei-Fu of
central China, and DR.. Sun Yat- Sen
of south China, have been fully
convinced Of the necessity to CO
operate and to work together.
General Chang Tso-Lln in Man
ohrria naturally considers his re-
gion most likely to be affected by
the decisions of the Washington
conference. The Japanese delega-
ton has delayed and postponed the
deliberations with regard to China
and they are determinedly holding
on the privilege in Shantung. IL is
this feeling that the interests Of
Msnehuria might be bartered away
since the japanese refuse to scrap
the 81 demands affecting the future
Of those provinces. Is must be
recalled that the u demands were
presented with an ultlmatum, but
since they affect the territorial and
administrative autonomy of the
Chinese government unless the 81
demands are cancelled the princi-
pies adopted by the Washington
conference amount to nothing more
than scraps Of paper.
I'm an earnest attempt to get the
cooperation of all the leaders in
China, General Chang Tso-Lin de-
sires to unite all the forces OF the
country There is very strong
likelihood that other leaders, espe-
cially General wu-Pei-F Flu, who Ia
popular and powerful in central
China. will rally to the call of pa
triotism.
History is in the making and
we do not know the final results,
but of this we do know, that all
the men in China, both high and
low, are thinking about unification
StIIousl3s
"A few men of the cabinet might
be changed and the president might
retire but his retirement Isl only
ar indication of the general desire
to sacrifice personal glory for ma
tiona1 unity and welfare. In China
public opinion runs so high that
unless a leader gets the full support
of the public he cannot control the
reins of government for any length
of time. In this movement in China,
one can easily see that the leaders
are actuated by patriotic motives
and they are willing to yield their
positions to some acknowledged
leader who has the support of the
people.
THE Chinese delegation at the
Washington conference has the
continued support of the people and
so whatever happens in China they
will represent China In truth"