Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, 1920, Volume I
793.94/1094
The Chargé in Japan (Bell) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 22.]
Sir: I have the honor to enclose herewith the full text of the Foreign Office statement referred to in my telegram Number 301, June 16, 6 P.M.60
I have [etc.]
Statement by the Japanese Foreign Office in Connection with the Note Handed to the Chinese Government by the Japanese Minister on June 14, 192061
When the treaty of Peace with Germany became effective in January, 1920, and the German rights and interests in Shantung passed into the possession of Japan by virtue of the provisions of that treaty, the Japanese Government, in accordance with their repeated declarations and pledges, with the desire and intention to effect the restoration of Kiauchau to China, and to settle matters incidental thereto, instructed the Japanese Minister in Peking to inform the Chinese Government:
- (1)
- That the Japanese Government desiring to open negotiations with the Chinese Government relative to the restoration of Kiauchau to China and the settlement of details incidental thereto, hoping thus to effect a speedy solution of the entire question, expressed the hope that the Chinese Government would make the preparations for that purpose;
- (2)
- That it is the intention of the Japanese Government to withdraw the Japanese troops from along the Shantung Railway, as a matter of course, upon agreement being arrived at between the two Governments as to the dispositions at Kiauchau; that in fact, the [Page 819] Japanese Government wishes to withdraw these troops as speedily as possible even before an agreement was entered into, but that, in the absence of any force to assume the duty of guarding the railway after evacuation, they were constrained to keep those troops stationed for the time being in order to insure the security of communications and safeguard the interests of Japan and of China who is equally interested in the railway as co-partner of the joint enterprise. The Japanese Government, therefore, hoped that the Chinese Government, appreciating the intentions of the Japanese Government in this matter, would with despatch, organize a police force to take the place of the Japanese troops in guarding the railway in order that these Japanese troops might be withdrawn even before an agreement was reached as to other details and arrangements.
The Japanese Government were prepared to proceed with the negotiations, but three months passed without any reply being forthcoming from the Chinese Government.
It is a source of the deepest regret to the Japanese Government that, at a time when all the nations of the world are making efforts for the establishment of an enduring peace, questions of such importance should remain unsettled between Japan and China. The Japanese Government have been informed that the Japanese Chargé d’Affaires in Berlin had received from the German Government the various documents specified in Article 158 of the Peace Treaty. Therefore the Japanese Government, being all the more desirous of speedily settling the matter for the mutual benefit, instructed the Japanese Minister in Peking on April 26 to urge upon the Chinese Government the importance of taking the necessary steps in accordance with the previous request made by the Japanese Government in January.
It was not until May 22, that the Chinese Government gave a reply to the request of the Japanese Government.62 This reply was in the nature of a request for delay in opening negotiations. The Chinese Government said:
“The Chinese Government fully appreciates the intention of the Japanese Government to restore Kiauchau Bay and to prepare for the evacuation of the troops along the Kiauchau-Tsinanfu Railway which are incidental to the carrying out of the terms of the Treaty of Peace. China, however, has not signed the Treaty of Peace with Germany, and it is not now in a position to negotiate directly with Japan on the question of Tsingtau on the basis of the Treaty with Germany. Furthermore, the Japanese Minister at Peking well knows that the people throughout China have assumed an indignantly antagonistic attitude toward the question of Kiauchau. For these reasons, and in consideration of amity between Japan and China, the Chinese Government do not find themselves in a position to make a reply at this moment.
[Page 820]On the other hand, the state of war with Germany having ceased to exist, all Japanese military establishments within and without the leased territory of Kiauchau are unnecessary, and the restoration of all pre-war conditions along the Kiauchau-Tsinanfu Railway being heartily desired by the Chinese Government and the people of China, China proposes to effect a proper organization to take the place of the Japanese troops in order to secure and maintain the safety of the whole line. However, as this is independent entirely of the question of the restoration of Kiauchau Bay, the Chinese Government trust that the Japanese Government will not delay in the execution of evacuation.”
Upon receipt of this reply the Imperial Government of Japan addressed a note to the Chinese Government, urging reconsideration of the position taken in the reply above quoted. This memorandum, addressed to the Chinese Government, is as follows:
“In their memorandum, the Chinese Government has stated that they did not find themselves in a position promptly to meet the request of the Japanese Government for the opening of negotiations looking to the adjustment of questions and arrangements provided for in the Treaty of Peace with Germany because of the importance which they attached to the relations of amity between Japan and China; also because China has not yet signed the Treaty of Peace with Germany, and therefore cannot act in accordance with the said Treaty, and further, because the attitude of the whole people in China toward this question is one of indignant antagonism. The Japanese Government, however, would point out that as a fundamental principle in connection with this question, there exists already, a formal agreement between Japan and China as to the disposition of the leased territory of Kiauchau. The repeated declarations of the Imperial Japanese Government leave no room for doubt as to the singleness of purpose with which Japan seeks a fair and just settlement of this question at the earliest date. The Imperial Japanese Government therefore, fails to understand the contention of the Chinese Government that they do not find it convenient to confer directly with Japan on the question of Tsingtau, on the ground that China has not signed the Treaty of Peace with Germany, and because of the existence of popular excitement in connection with this question.
It is a plain and positive fact that all the rights and interests which Germany formerly possessed in Shantung by virtue of a treaty with China, have been transferred to Japan in accordance with the Treaty of Peace with Germany. Since the Chinese Government had previously given consent to this transfer, these rights and interests have of right come into the possession of Japan. It follows, naturally therefore, that these rights cannot be affected in any way by the refusal of the Chinese Government to sign the Treaty of Peace with Germany.
Immediately upon the coming into force of the Treaty of Peace with Germany, the Japanese Government, in accordance with repeated declarations and pledges made in the past, proposed to the [Page 821] Chinese Government to open negotiations with a view to the restoration to China of those rights and interests that are to be restored under the understanding reached in Paris, and to confirm such matters as called for action in connection with the restoration to China of the territory formerly leased by her to Germany. The Japanese Government were at the time confident that the Chinese Government would respond readily to the proposal, and would not hesitate to open a way for the Japanese Government to demonstrate by concrete action their attitude of fairness and justice towards China. Contrary to these expectations, however, the Chinese Government after a delay of several months, have replied that they did not find it advisable to open negotiations, giving as their reasons, the failure of China to sign the Treaty of Peace, and the attitude of the Chinese people towards this question.
This position taken by the Chinese Government prevents the Japanese Government from realizing a sincere desire to carry out with the utmost good faith their treaty obligations, and to fulfill their expressed pledges. It need hardly be pointed out with whom rests the responsibility for delaying the settlement of the questions over Shantung. The Imperial Japanese Government, however, always considering amity and good neighborhood between Japan and China, hereby repeat the declaration that they will accept a proposal for a negotiation of this question at any time considered agreeable by the Chinese Government. The Japanese Government do not believe that the Chinese Government wish to bear the responsibility for delays in settlement, and in this belief, urge a reconsideration by the Chinese Government of their former reply.
On the subject of the railway guard along the Shantung railway lines, the Imperial Japanese Government refer to their note of January 19, 1920, containing a statement of intention to withdraw the Japanese troops at once, even before the conclusion of negotiations in connection with, the restoration and the former German rights and interests in Shantung, if the Chinese police force should have been organized to take over the responsibility of guarding mutual interests in Shantung. The Japanese Government believes that China will carry out the organization of such railway guards as previously agreed upon, and in connection with which an understanding was reached between Japan and the Powers at the Paris Conference. When such organization shall have been completed, and the Chinese and Japanese officials shall have agreed upon instructions as to the transfer, the Japanese Government will withdraw the troops.
Reference has been made to the military equipments established in and around Kiauchau Bay. These constitute grounds for negotiations between the Chinese Government and the Japanese Government, and it is with a desire to definitely settle with China as to the disposition of these equipments that the Japanese Government seeks to commence negotiations. If the Chinese Government shall proceed to negotiate, and a settlement of the Shantung question shall be reached, it need hardly be emphasized that all questions such as this will be solved simultaneously,”
In conclusion, the Foreign Office statement says that while the Imperial Japanese Government deeply regrets the delay in carrying out the understandings and agreements reached at the Paris Conference, they stand unchanged in their sincere desire to promote a fair and just solution of this question with the least possible delay, and will continue in their efforts to carry out what is a fixed policy in their dealings with China.