In the recent Japanese memorandum to the Chinese Government regarding
the Shantung question an allegation was made that the Peking
Government had unofficially notified the Tokyo Government of China’s
desire to open negotiations with Japan regarding Shantung. The fact
is that the Foreign Office, when questioned by numerous popular
societies and organizations with regard to the Government’s plans
for settling the Shantung case, intimated that the Commission for
Discussion of the Versailles Peace Treaty had drawn up a project
covering the restoration of Shantung for submission to the Council
of the League of Nations. The project mentioned by the Foreign
Office was discussed by Mr. Yu Ching-ho, a Councillor of the
Ministry of War, to [with?] General Banzai,
Japanese Advisor to the same Ministry, and through this channel
became known to the Japanese Government, which took it as a basis
for its recent offer for direct negotiations between the two
countries and mentioned it in its memorandum of October 19th, which
was published to the world.
Therefore the Foreign Office, feeling that this fact requires
explanation, is making public all of the eight points drafted by the
Commission
[Page 630]
for Discussion
of the Versailles Peace Treaty for submission to the Council of the
League of Nations. The points in question, accompanied by an
introductory statement, follow:
“In view of the impossibility of settling the Shantung
question with Japan, China presents her case to the League
of Nations for settlement, basing her claims on her rights
obtained upon her declaration of war on Germany. As a result
of this declaration of war China, being entitled to receive
back all the rights and privileges formerly enjoyed by
Germany in the Shantung Leased Territory, feels convinced of
the justice of her claims in this case, as follows:
“1. The entire Leased Territory of Kiaochao shall be taken
back by China, and China will turn Tsingtao into an open
port and govern it exactly as under the former German
administration.
“No customs duties shall be imposed on goods brought into the
Port of Tsingtao for sale in the Leased Territory.
“A Municipal Administrative Bureau shall be established
similar to those at Tientsin and Hankow (in the former
German and Austrian Concessions at those places).
“2. China will not recognize the validity of the forcible
purchases of land in the Leased Territory from the Chinese
by the Japanese during the period of Japanese military
occupation.
“3. All property in Tsingtao formerly belonging to the German
Government, such as wharves, bridges (pontoons), godowns,
lighthouses and so forth, shall be turned over to the
Chinese Maritime Customs.
“The electric light works, water works, slaughter houses,
mining administration, hospitals and so forth may be turned
over to the control of the Municipal Administrative
Bureau.
“The fortifications and barracks shall be controlled directly
by the Central Chinese Government: and, as these properties
have been under Japanese control for several years, separate
arrangements may be made with Japan for their delivery to
and control by China.
“As the sale of salt is a Government monopoly and, as this
industry was not carried on by the Germans in their day, all
of the salt fields shall be returned to China. If, however,
Japan should be in need of salt, the Chinese Government will
permit Japan to buy it under a special license providing for
specified quantities over a stated period of years.
“4. With regard to the Shantung Railways, the
Tsinanfu-Shuntehfu and Kaomi-Hsuchowfu Lines shall be turned
over to the new consortium for operation. The
Kiaochao-Tsinanfu Line shall either be operated immediately
by China herself or a certain date shall be fixed for the
return of the Line to China, Until, however, the Line is
turned over to China it may be temporarily operated by China
and Japan as far as its purely financial and technical
affairs are concerned.
“All the shares of the Railway formerly belonging to the
German Government shall be equally divided between China and
Japan: and the refunding of all shares in the possession of
private German shareholders shall, if it should prove
necessary, be made by China and Japan equally.
[Page 631]
“China shall be entitled to one-half of the surplus profits
of the Railway since its seizure and operation by Japan: and
this arrangement shall remain effective until the Railway is
definitely and absolutely returned to the control of
China.
“All departments of the Railway that have a political
character, such as the Railway Police, shall be administered
by China alone.
“5. All Japanese troops in Shantung Province shall be
withdrawn at once.
“6. All mines formerly operated by Germans along the Railway
shall be conducted as joint enterprises for a stated period
of time and then be restored to China absolutely.
“7. The Tsingtao-Chefoo and Tsingtao-Shanghai cables are
entirely within Chinese territory and must, therefore, be
returned to China,
“The wireless station at Tsinanfu, which was installed by the
Japanese Government, shall also be returned to China, who
will pay Japan for the cost of its construction.
“8. Japan shall make a statement that all rights and
privileges formerly enjoyed by Germany as a result of
treaties or agreements with China shall, with the exception
of such rights and privileges as China and Japan may later
mutually agree upon, be waived by Japan: and henceforth
Japan shall make no demands in connection with the rights
and privileges that she is thus expected to
waive.”
