Perth Amboy evening news., 1922-02-04
Ar LAST JUSTICE FOR CHINA

Gratifying, indeed, are IL FeSultS U to 'oi0h'
for the limitation of armament that is now drawing 10 d
close at Washington. The conference has been a great sue
cess. Not the least significant feature has been the 1urthef
emphasizing the important part that the United states al u
play in world affairs.
greatest achievement, without doubt, is the agreement
reached between China and Japan in the Shantung conro-
sersy. In fact, for permanent results, the Shantung agree
ment may take first place in the accomplishments OF the
conference.
At last it looks as if China was going to have the recog-
milton that is her due. The imperialistic attitude that Japan
has assumed toward China has received a check. Japan has
been forced to recognize Chinese sovereignty over Chinese
territory. It may seem strange that such recognition was
necessary, but japan, taking advantage OF the military weak
ness of her giant %neighb0r, has been working on the theory
that might makes right. She is beginning to see differently.
The Chinese are the most peaceful people in the world.
While we who are accustomed to our western civilization
IRE inclined to look upon the Chinese as heather, as a matter
Of fact the, Chinese have many traits and customs that we
might well emulate.
The agreement to limit armament has been signed by
five OF the leading naval powers of the world. But there is
nothing to prevent other nations getting together to build
up a fleet that eventually will threaten any one of the five
powers that have entered into this agreement thereby caus-
ing them to start naval competition once more.
The understanding that has been reached by the ma
lions that are represented at the Washington conference re-
garding submarines and poison gas also may amount to
naught once a war is declared, just as understandings and
agreements were thrown to the winds by Germany in the
last war.
But in the adjustment of the Shantung affair whereby
japan agrees to return to China that which rightfully belongs
10 China is a positive gain, removing a war cloud that has
hung over the Far East and that sooner or later was bound
TO breed trouble. Japan is beginning to realize that she is
not to have a free hand in China to exploit that great country
at her pleasure. Here, indeed, is real constructive work in
the way of preserving the peace of the world through justice
and fair dealing.
Next comes the abrogation of the twenty-one demands
made upon China by Japan in 1915. These demands were
the most high handed piece of business that has ever been
perpetrated by one nation upon another. They were wrung
from China under duress during the trying times of the war.
a mere vassal state of Japan. Japan knew they were wrong
IN the first place when she insisted upon secrecy in having
them adopted. Now, before the great powers of the world
that are represented at Washington, she is willing to with
draw the most obnoxious of the twenty-one and there is
every reason to believe she will eventually drop all of them.
This settlement of the Shantung affairs, therefore, and
recognition by Japan of the injustice of her twenty-one de-
mands, after all, constitute the greatest achievement Of the
Washington conference. 1t goes more toward the preserva-
ton of peace than anything else that has been done. 1t
means that China is to have a chance and that the world
recognizes her integrity as a nation-a recognition that can
rot fail but have a salutary effect on the Japanese.
While the importance of the action on the limitation of
naval armament and the understanding regarding poison gas
and submarines are not to be minimized, the one real perma-
nent gain toward peace and justice in the world as a result
OF the Washington conference is the settlement of the Shan
lung controversy and the recognition that China has received
IS a sovereign nation.