MEMORANDUM
On contemplated conversation with Baron Makino
relative to improving situation with regard to Shantung.
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What the Japanese Declaration should contain.The declaration made by the Japanese Government should contain not nonly the pledges suggested in the present discussion, but also, in the form of pledges, the assurances which were given by the Japanese to the Council.
The assurances which were given to the Council may be understood to be (on the basis of Sir M. Hankey's memorandum) that Japan will:
The present proposals call for the addition of the two very important pledges. (See proposals). The acceptance of these additional pledges would
II. Suggestions for Conversation with Baron Makino.
a. Rfereference to American (and general) regret over the situation which has developed in China as a consequence of the unfavorable reception of the decision of the Peqace Conference with regard to Shantung.
b. Reference to the fact that Japan is known to have made assurances to the Council which are understood to modify the apparently complete according by the clauses of the Peace Treaty to Japan of all that had been Germany's position in Shantung; but emphasis upon the fact that so long as these assurances stand merely in the minutes of the Council -- and particularly while they are kept secret -- they have no value as regards public opinion. (In the present circumstances of dissatisfaction, reference to secret pledges is if anything an irritant).If at this point Baron Makino should suggest that Japan is expecting at an early date to make public the substance of these assurances, it should be stated that the assurances given to the Council are not regarded by the American Commissioners as sugfficiently specific or comprehensive.
c. Reference to the strong current of opinion in the United Steates adverse to the Shantung decision, the feeling that all that Japan asked was granted while nothing that China asked was granted, the use which critics of the Peace Conference are making of theis as argumentative material.
d. Reference to Count Okuma's declarations to the world in 1914 and to Japan's repeated assertion of good will toward China and of unimpeachability of motives.
e. Reference to the general condemnation of the methods by which Germany secured the Convention of March 6, 1898 and of the provisions in that Convention whereby Germany staked out an exclusive “sphere of influence”.
f. Suggestion that, in view of uncertainty as to the Japanese view of the extent of the “economic privileges” which Japan inherits, the American Government would welcome an express renunciation by Japan of claim to a general, exclusive and preferentilal position: that this would be accomplished by a formal, open statement addressed to the Conference that Japan will claim no benefit of that clause of the Chinese-German Convention of March 6, 1898 which reads “The Chinese Government binds itself in all cases where foreign assistance, in persons, capital or material may be needed for any purpose whatever within the Province of Shantung, to offer the said work or supply of materials in the first instance to German manufacturers and merchants engaged in undertakings of the kind in wquestion. ecttc.”
g. Suggest, further, that it would greatly conduce to a better situation in China and to the maintenance of peace in the Far East if Japan would decide to offer the restoration of the whole of the Kiaochow Leased Territory, without the retention of an exclusive Japanese concession, on condition that China compensate Japan for all properties and make of Tsingtao an international settlement and of the port an open (not a “free”) port.
h. Suggest, finally, that, for the sake of definiteness and to put an end to suspicion, Japan declare her intention to make the restoration complete within two years.______________The substance of these proposals is:
Proposals.((It should be understood that portions of the assurances given by the Japanese to the Council should be made a part of the proposed official declaration.))The present proposals are:
1. That Japan declare renunciation of all benefit of the provisions of that Article of the German-Chinese Convention of March 6, 1898, which read:
“The Chinese Government binds itself in all cases where foreign assistance, in persons, capital or material, may be needed for any purpose whatever within the Province of Shantung, to offer the said work or supply of materials in the first instance to German manufacturers and merchants engaged in undertakings of the kind in question. In case German manufacturers or merchants are not inclined to undertake the performance of such works, or the furnishing of materials, China shall then be at liberty to act as she pleases.”
2. That Japan agree:
(a) to restore the whole of the Leased Territory of Kiaochow to China on condition that China compensate Japan for properties and make of the city of Tsingtao an international settlement and of the port an open port;
(b) to make the restoration complete within two years from the date of the signing of the Treaty. |
DRAFT OF PROPOSALS FOR JAPANESE DECLARATION WITH
REGARD TO SHANTUNG PROVINCE.
(The Japanese Declaration to be made in such form that it may be considered a binding part of the Peace Settlement. Suggested: That the declaration be addressed by the Japanese Plenipotentiaries to the Peace Conference, or the Council, for publication, at the earliest possible moment after the signing of the Peace Treaty with Germany)
Draft for Japanese Declaration.
1. Japan claims no right of sovereignty in Shantung Province.
2. Japan will restore the Lease of Kiaochow and will relinquish to China all rights, titles and privileges acquired by Japan from Germany within the Leased Territory, except as regards railways, on condition that China compensate Japan for properties thus relinquished and that China agree to make of the city of Tsingtao an international settlement and of the port an open port
3. Japan will endeavor to make this restoration complete within two years from the signing of the Peace Treaty.
4. Japan relinquishes the benefit of any provision or provisions in the conventions and agreements between German and China which gave an exclusive preferential position in the Province of Shantung.
5. In the administration of the existing railways which have been conceded to her, Japan will not discriminate against the trade of China or of other nations.
6. The new railway lines, for the construction of which concessions have been accorded to Japan, shall be built by the Japanese for the Chinese Government.
7. Japan will use special police only along the railways and only to ensure security for traffic. These police shall be Chinese, with such Japanese instructors as the Directors of the Railway may select, these instructors to be appointed by the Chinese Government.
8. Japan will withdraw all military forces from Shantung as soon as practicable, it being the intention, if conditions permit, that the withdrawal shall be completed with a period of not more than two years. |
Arguments.
It may be urged that Japan would gain greatly in that such action would probably end the Chinese boycott, would tend to disarm criticism in the United States, would in general clear the atmosphere, and would improve the whole situation in the Far East.The m
The Japanese could make a declaration of to the Peace Conference at such moment without there being any suggestion of its being made upon any other than their own initiative.
Such an act would be in keeping with the statements of Japanese officials with regard to justice and generosity of Japan's intentions.
