SHANTUNG

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 151, 23 December 1921, Page 7

SHANTUNG

A HITCH IN. PROCEEDING "CHINA WILL NOT BUI)GE." (UNITBD PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPYRIGHT.) (SPECIAL TO AESIRALIAN.N.Z. PRESS ASSOCIATION.) WASHINGTON, 21st December. It is believed, that the Shantung matter is giving some- anxiety, 'and it is unlikely that further progress will be made in it for several days. The Shantung railway question perhaps had the jnost attention, otherwise 'it was a dull day. Mr. Hughes said his impression regarding the hitch was that it was not very serious. Mr. Hanihara said he felt certain that some satisfactory form of settlement would be found, because not only China ''and Japan, but the whole world, wanted it. The Japanese delegates explained that they had not made recommendations to Tokio. They had outstepped their instructions, and were compelled to-: Tefer the whole question to their Government, and await fresh instructions, leaving them to.decide. They insist that while they have gone very far in concessions, -the Chinese will not budge, but the latter aver that they-gave Japan the option of alternative methods of selling the line, which Japan was not- prepareto accept. It seems definite that the Japanese want to s retain their interest in the railway as long as possible, be.cause of their trade in the Shantung province and money invested there. Therefore they ask that tho loan agreement should bo of the same character as the other agreements made with China in raising money for railways from other-Powers. " . .