SHANTUNG PROBLEM

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 228, 21 June 1920, Page 5

SHANTUNG PROBLEM

DIRECT NEGOTIATIONS REFUSED

FIRM STAND BY .CHINA

By Telegraph'-Prea 8 AaßOciatlon-CoDyrieht

(Rec. June 20, 5.5 pim.)

Tokio, June 10. An official statement oa th§ question of Shantung, after confirming the roporii tliat China declined to enter into direct negotiations with Japan concerning Bhan? tung, goes on tp show that Chins offered to replace the Japanese troops with Ch}P' ese along the Important: strategic KiaochauVTsingfu railway, also that China recently again urged the Japanese evacuation .of Shantung. Japan replied, ex* pressing surprise at China's roftuml to negotiate direct, thus delaying a settle-: rnent, Japan dsolaiea her willinenesi) to withdraw her troops from tho Kiao? chau-Tsingfu railway if China will organise a force competent to take over, the responsibility of guarding their mu-i tupl Interests—Bent«r.