THE FAR EAST

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10206, 17 February 1919, Page 5

THE FAR EAST

THREAT OF WAR DECLARATION OF CHINESB FOREIGN POLICY. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. NEW YORK, February 13. The Paris correspondent of the Chicago "News" says that the Chines© ■Foreign Minister, Wang Ta Shih, a member of the Chinese ]seace delegation, -in an interview, - said that China's foreign policy includes the following: She'will join forces, with the United States and with other democracies in Europe, and will expect their aid in establishing China as a sovereign and independent, nation; she will ob-, ject to control of any portion of Chinese territory by a mandatory; she will refuse to make further concessions to foreign Powers, and will abrogate existing treaties in which concessions are granted... ~..,,_..,..,. -....'.' Japan's attitude towards China at J;he, Peace, jjConfeuence is causing grave apprehension amongst the representatives of the other associated Powers. - According to official diplomatic information received in Washington, Japan— , virtually threatened war if China* makes ;public the secret treaties- or' fails to carry out the agreement tcmake*- ' Japan, s-the- successor to Germany; in • tbo-.property, and concessions held by ■Germany, at'.the outbreak of the war. When the Chinese peace delegates arrived at Paris they reported that the treaties had been stolen from their •baggage while-passing through Japan, and consequently they were unable to carry out their purpose of making them public at the Conference, but the delegates verbally reported the sub;v stance, of the stolen document's, wheretupon - Japan demanded ' that China should disavow the action of the delegates., The most important of these treaties is dated September, 1918. It grants Shantung to Japan, and admits Japan as the successor of Germany s rights and concessions to railways ana. mines The Chinese claim that Japan already possesses under" treaties twofifth's of the iron deposits of the entire Chinese Republic. They- also" ' state that their foreign Minister has been bluntly told that Japan has-idle-*a--army of over a million ready to conduct a long «g^ ( ' Although the Cabinet andl the Diplomatic Commission have advised PresV dent Hsu Shi Chang to accede to the Japanese demands in conso! lav the Chinese delegates.