Draft Japanese Declaration

Title

Draft Japanese Declaration

Creator

Unknown

Date

No date

Source

Robert and Sally Huxley

Publisher

Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museusm

Language

English

Text

Draft given to Baron M.
June 28, 1919.(Also—alternative form.)

Draft of a Declaration which
may be addressed by the Japanese
Plenipotentiaries to the Peace
Conference, or to the Council,
for publication, immediately or
shortly after the signing of the
Peace Treaty with Germany.

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 beteween Germany and China which gave an exclsuive 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 within a period of not more than two years.

Our view is that the Japanese should make a declaration in the form of an official undertaking so enunciated that it will be considered a binding part of the Peace settlement. Such a declaration might be addressed by the Japanese Plenipotentiaries to the Peace Conference or to the Council, for publication. The more promptly this action be taken, and the more comprehensive and specific the declaration the greater the value.

Original Format

Letter

Files

http://resources.presidentwilson.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/D60013.pdf

Citation

Unknown, “Draft Japanese Declaration,” No date, R. Emmet Condon Collection, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.