Peking, Feb. 2.
Way Caixa Dip Nor Siew.
Several weeks ago, when there "The delegates of the Republic of was still much debate in Chinese China, acting under the authority Government circles about the proof the Chinese Government and in priety of acceding to Japan's re-conformity with the expressed will quest for direct negotiations in the of all classes of the Chinese people, matter of the disposition of Kiao-refused to sign the treaty of peace chow, Premier Chin Yun-peng with Germany because there were asked the advice of a foreign friend embodied in. it clauses pertaining in the matter. He said that he per-to the disposition of Germany's sonally was opposed to direct former holdings and privileges in negotiations, but that he saw no Shantung which both the Govern-way out and was open to suggesment and the people of China betions. lieved inconsistent with our nation-The foreigner consulted friends of al dignity, in contravention of our his who, by virtue of experience in national rights under international Chinese affairs and a knowledge law, and prejudicial to our of diplomatic procedure were judged sovereignty over the territories in competent to give advice, and then which the former German holdings returned to the Premier with a were established. Neither the suggestion for an appeal to the Chinese Government nor the Chinese Powers for a rehearing of the people have had any reason to alter Shantung question before an inter-their views in this matter. By national tribunal and for friendly virtue of their signatures the Powers advice. After considering the subscribing to the Treaty of Peace scheme, which pleased him, the with Germany acknowledge Japan's Premier asked the foreigner to have claim to succession to Germany's drafted the outlines of a note which former economic holdings in Shan-the Chinese Government could sub-tung and delegate to Japan the mit in identical form to the inter-duty of returning to China the ested Legations in Peking. leased territory of Kiaochow and This was done, with the collabora-other political concessions and tion of hag agai Chinese, and the draft was then submitted to the tights formerly held by Germany in Shantung. Since China refused to Premier by his most trusted adviser, sign the treaty, it is to be under-who was strongly in favour of using stood that our Government has not the draft in the form in which it subscribed to this arrangement, and was submitted and of having it for-it will therefore be understood that warded through the proper channels since the attitude of our Govern-to the Legations. ment and people has undergone no This document is now little more change, it would be inconsistent for than a record of what might have us now to enter into direct negoti-been and has no historical interest, ations with Japan, which would be but perhaps the Chinese people will equivalent to acknowledging that be interested in knowing that this the treaty with Germany, which we draft note was pigeon-holed so that refused to sign, is binding upon us. the Anfu agents would not be em-harassed in their informal negotia-Petic Opixton wits Carxa. tions with the representatives or certain Japanese companies in the "The Chinese people have come to private house on the street known believe that, in their opposition to as the Pei Chih-tzu, which is now the Shantung clauses in the Peace flippantly spoken of in political Treaty, they had the moral support circles as ''the little Cabinet" of a large section of foreign public The following is the English text opinion, and from the time of the of the submitted draft: first publication of these clauses, Taw Proposep Appress. down to the present, both the Government and people of China "The Chinese Government wishes eagerly hoped that the Allied and to convey to your Excellency the friendly Powers would either re-information that the Imperial consider and revise these clauses, or Japanese Government has, through would indicate to China a way in its Minister to Peking, Mr. Obata, which the whole Shantung case requested thet this Government could be brought up before the enter into formal direct negotia~ League of Nations or some other tions with the Japanese Government international tribunal which could for the disposition of the economic pass judgement upon the Shantung and political concessions and rights case and which would not be bound formerly secured by Germany in or embarrassed by treaties with Shantung, in accordance with the Japan as the delegates of Great terms of the ge od peace lately Britain, France and Italy were signed in Paris. This information during the recent Conference. The we beg that your Excellency convey Chinese people still believe that if to your Government, together with Tapan's claim to the disposition of the following statement of the Shantung were investigated and Chinese Government's attitude judged on a basis of international towards this request; and we further law and equity, it would be denied beg that your Excellency will by any international court. transmit our request for your Government's present consideration of this statement and for its friendly "Although the settlement of advice.
China's internal difficulties cannot be much longer postponed, the Chinese Government does not receive the full support of all factions; and if it were now to enter into direct negotiations with Japan, this act alone would serve to alienate all elements in the South, and in Central China, while apy terms which the Government might make with the Japanese Government could be rejected and invalidated by whole sections of the country. In a matter of such national moment, which the Chinese people are firmly convinced touches their sovereignty over one of their oldest provinces, the unanimous approval of all sections of the country would have to be obtained for any final agreement with the Japanese Govern ment, otherwise the seeds of international enmity might be sown, which would be fruitful of trouble in the Far East for generations to come. As it is manifestly impossible to gain such approval under existing political conditions, the Chinese Government will ' only enter into direct negotiations with Japan at this time under such protest as will exonerate it of all responsibility in the sight of this and future generations of the Chinese people.
"The Chinese people regard the suggested return of the leased territory of Kiaochow, and the internationalization of the Settlement at Tsingtao as empty formalities. Japanese purchases of land in and about the leased territory have negatived the value of this district to China and will make Chinese sovereignty over this area under extraterritorial provisions a mere futility. The internationalization of the Settlement at Tsingtao conveys no meaning to. foreign merchants of other nationalities when customs, wharves, railways, nearly all private property and public works and utilities are in Japanese hands and will be subject to Japanese control.
"The Chinese Government insists, as it has always insisted, that an economic monopoly at Tsingtao is the equivalent of political control and is an infringement of this country's sovereignty.
"The Chinese Government insists that by virtue of its declaration of war upon Germany the former German holdings and rights in Shantung reverted automatically to China, and that China's right to these concessions and privileges is not in any way compromised by the clause in the Sino-Japanese treaty of 1915, binding China to abide by Japan's eventual settlement with Germany; inasmuch as China's position as a belligerent gave her the right of direct negotiation with Germany, and deprived Japan of all right' to enter into discussions of the disposition of Germany's holdings with the German Government.
"The Chinese Government therefore insists that before entering upon negotiations with the Japanese Government, the latter, now at peace with both China and Germany, should cease to occupy the concession of Tsingtao, the Kiaochow leased territory, and the Tsingtao-Tsinan railway, and should make unconditional re-
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.