We have received a copy of two telegrams sent yesterday by the China National Students Federation, one to the Government, one to the Ministers in Peking of Great Britain, France, Italy and America. One sentence from the latter will serve to explain the purport of both: 'Japan, at this juncture of the exchange of the ratification of the Treaties, is trying to force us to recognize her' special privileges in Shantung." There follow the usual appeals for support and to the Government, exhortations to stand firm, the latter couched in rather menacing tones. Many such telegrams have been seen in time past. But the statement quoted is decidedly interesting. We have come across the same allegation in two or three different places lately, and it is clear that the public are haunted with the idea that Japan is secretly trying to get Peking to acquiesce in her claims in Shantung. Is she? Have the students any exclusive knowledge of hidden discussions? If so, there is trouble ahead.
Jan. 19.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.