Evening star., 1922-02-03


been pressed by Japan and accepted
In toto by China. AS a matter OF
fact. not only group " but also
several other matters contained in
Japan's first proposals were elimi
mated entirely or modified consider
ably. In Difference TO the wishes OF
the Chinese government, when the
final formula was presented to China
for acceptance. Official records pub
lished by the two governments re-
lating to those negotiations will fur
ther show that the most important
terms Of the treaties and notes, as
signed. had already been virtually
agreed to by the the Chinese nego-
ttators before the delivery Of the
ult:matum. which then seemed to the
Japanese government the only way
of bringing the protracted negotia-
tions to a speedy close.
Hope in Future.
THE japanese delegation canno;
bring itself to the conclusion that
any useful purpose will be served by
research and denomination al th!s
conference of old grievances which
one OF the nations represented here
may have against another. 1t VIII
be more in line with the high aim OF
the conference to look forward to the
future with hope and with confidence.
Having in view. however. the
changes. which have taken place IN
the situation since the CONCLUSION OF
the Sino-Jspanesc treaties and notes
Of 1915, the Japaness delegation IS
happy 70 avail itself of the present
occasion to make the following
declaration:
Il japan is ready to throw open
to the joint activity OF the inter
national finance consOrtium recently
exclusively in favor of japanese
capital, with regard. first to loans for
he construction of railways in South
Manchu-ia and eastern inner Mon
golia, and, second. the loans to BE-
secured on taxes In that region; II
being understood that nothing in the
present declaration shall be held to
imply any modification or annulment
Of the understanding recorded IN the
officially announced notes and mem
oranda which were exchanged among
the governments OF the countries
renreSeuted in the consortium and
also among the national financial
groups composing the consortium. in
relation to the scope of the joint
activity OF that organization.
80 Japan has no intention OF insisting
on her preferential right under the Sino-
Japanese arrangements in question
concerning the engagement by China
of Japanese advisers or instructors on
political, financial. military or police
matters in South Manchuria.
g.,
draw the reservation which she
made. in preceding to the signature
Of the Sino-Japanese treaties and
notes Of 1915. to the erect that group
v of the original proposals OF the
japanese government would be post
poned for future negotiations
1T would be needless to add that
all matters relating to Shantung. con-
tanned in those treaties and notes
have now been definitely adjusted and
disposed Of
Guided by Fairness.
"In coming to this decision, which
I have had the honor to announce.
Japan has been guided by spirit OF
fairness and moderation having
rights and the principle of equal op-
MI Wang said the Chinese delega-
ton could not accept the position ad-
yaoced by Baron Shidehara, that the
mere fact that the Chinese asked for
an abrogation OF the treaies & wouao W
imply that they recognized their va
lidity. AS a matter of fact, the Chi
nese government and people had al
WAYS regarded these agreements as
peculiar in themselves, owing to the
circumstances under which they had
been negotiated. The Chinese gov
ernment and people had always con-
sidered the state of things arising
under these treaties as de facto
situation, without any legal recogni-
ton on the part Of China.
He listened with great attention to
the declarations of Baron Shidehara
on the three points mentioned in his
statement; but as the statement was
very important one. Mr.. Wang
wished to reserve his right to make
a detailed reply.
The chairman asked If he under
stood that the Chinese delegation de-
sired to make response at the next
meeting.
Mr.. Wang answered yes. and the
chairman, in view of that, suggeSte ed
that the discussion on this matter
might be postponed until the next
meeting. if that course was agreeable
TO the delegates.
would be remembered that some days
before he had ventured to make a
certain suggestion in regard to the
development and utilization of Chi
mas natural resources. and that on
that occasion the Chinese delegation
stated that they would be able to an
nounce the position of the Chinese
government on a later occasion; and
that he would like to know if the Chi
nese delegation was now ready to
give any announcement of the policy
of China on this very important ques-
ton.
Mr. SEE Gives Opinion.
Mr.. SEE said the statement that he had
the honor to make before on the SUBJ
ject he thought was so clear and in
such simple language that he wondered
whether there was anything more he
could usefully add, but animated by
the desire, as he was always animated,
to meet the views of his Japanese
friends. with the permission of the
corn rnitfee he aaid he woDld rood q ro
ply. He then read as follows:
"At the meeting Of this committee
on January IS Baron Shidehara on be-
half of the Japanese delegation, ex-
pressed a hope that China might be
disposed to extend to foreigners, as far
as possible, the opportunity Of co-opera-
ton In the development and Utilization
of China's natural resources. and added
that any spontaneous declaration of her
policy in that direction would be re-
ceived with much qualification.
"The Chinese government. conscious
of the mutual advantage which foreign
trade brings, has hitherto pursued an
established policy to promote its de-
velopment. OF this trade products OF
nature, OF course, form an important
part In view Of this fact, as well as
Of the requirements Of her large and in
creasins. population, and the growing
needs Of her industries. China, on her
development Of her natural resources
not only by permitting, under her laws,
the participation Of foreign capital, but
also by other practical means at her
disposal. Thus In affording facilities
and nxing rates for the transportation
nature as well as Of other articles of
mercandise, she has always followed
and observed the principle Of strict
equality OF treatment between ali for