Feb, 11.
Beyonp the fact that Mr. Lu Cheng-hsiang has obtained sick leave in order to postpone the unpleasant responsibility of discussing the Shantung question with Mr. Obata, no information is at present forthcoming as to the negotiations proposed by Japan. Meanwhile it is significant that the Peking Government is taking strong measures to repress the student agitations which Japan's Note immediately excited. Two inferences may be drawn from the Presidential Mandate which we publish today. On the one hand it is but the natural act of a Government which fears the inevitable result on its dealings with a neighbour of popular disturbance, possibly resulting in injury to subjects of that neighbour. On the other hand, it might be the trick of a minority of interested persons whose only object was to secure a clear field in which to drive a bargain advantageous for themselves. There is little question, we fear, in which of these two senses the student organizations will interpret the mandate. Yet it is sincerely to be hoped that the students will not allow their feelings to carry them to injudicious lengths. They may say that they reck little of Japan, that the terms she will propose will be neither more nor less onerous whatever they do. But an outburst of strikes, of brawls with the police, of fiery telegrams to the Government, may have the very reverse effect upon outside Powers that they desire. Moreover, they may remember that if there are some officials of whom they have doubts, there are others, not by any means powerless, who are sincerely anxious to secure for China such a settlement of the Shantung question as she can honourably In this connexion attention may be drawn to the article by Mr. T. F. Hsu, Foreign Secretary to the Civil Governor of Shantung, which we reproduce to-day. He argues with ingenuity and force that China cannot be expected to recognize the rights that Japan claims under a treaty which she herself refused to sign; and that as she, China, is a member of the Teague of Nations, by virtue of having signed the treaty with!
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.