The Star. MONDAY, JULY 21, 1919. CHINA AND JAPAN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12698, 21 July 1919, Page 4

The Star. MONDAY, JULY 21, 1919. CHINA AND JAPAN.

A cable message states that a delegation of Chinese patriots endeavoilred to commit suicide in the presence of the Premier of China, and that after three of them, had succeeded in severely wounding themselves the President informed the delegation that the treaty which gives Shantung to Japan must be signed. Another message reports that the Chinese Government has been placed in a most embarrassing position by the refusal of the Chinese delegates to sign the Peace Treaty. Recent overseas files devote a considerable amount of space to Japan’s action at the Peace Conference when the concluding stages were reached in connection with the League of Nations, At first the Japanese delegates displayed little interest in the League of Nations, a fact which was viewed with concern by the delegates of the other Powers, particularly by President Wilson. Rut this lack of interest was only on the surface. They were simply biding their time. At the right moment they suddenly became interested in the League to the extent of injecting the racial question, knowing full well that the League could not be brought into being without unanimity. Then arose the Italian crisis, and they seized the opportunity to press the Shantung demands with the insistence that they must be settled before Japan yvould sign the German Treaty. The result was that by adroitly taking advantage of the circumstance, and by skilfully presenting her demands, the Japanese delegates made a sure thing of getting them- Shantung was turned over to Japan without any written pledge to the Powers, her only written promise being with China, and that fixes no date. In other words, Japan forced the hands of the Conference and secured control of Shantung practically unconditionally, for the promise to China fixes no definite date when Japan will vacate the province. There is just the saving clause that when the League of Nations becomes something more than a name it may review the whole position. But as matters stand, and seem likely to stand, Japan has taken Germany’s place in one of China’s richest provinces in face of China’s vehement protest, and a country containing some 36,000,000 souls is placed under Japanese control. As* Japanese control seems to bear a close resemblance to that which made the German such a detested individual in the eyes of subject people, it is not to be wondered at, all things considered, that the Chinese delegates refused to sign the Peace Treaty, and patriotic Chinamen were prepared to sacrifice themselves over the humiliation their country has suffered.

The peace celebrations in Christchurch will be long remembered by those who were privileged to witness them. Never before has the city been so brilliantly illuminated and decorated, : and never before have there been suen vast throngs in the streets. The celebrations fittingly expressed the joy of the people that the years of war are over, and that the nations of the world may once more turn to the arts of peace. The events of Saturday were, really a rehearsal for the grand finale to-day, and if may be reasonably an ticipated that the arrangements will work more smoothly and with more celerity. The children’s procession this morning was an inspiring spectacle. It would be a dull heart indeed which did not thrill with proud emotion when the long line of children passed by. It is a peculiarity of the adult Britisher that he is almost ashamed to be seen in openly joyous mood. It is sometimes difficult to get him to smile, and almost impossible to get him to cheer without first appealing to him to do his part in making a joyful noise. The children, however, are not so phlegmatic. The joy of life is strong in their veins, and they have either to cheer or burst. In giving the little ones a good time, and an opportunity to parade the city with becoming display, the Peace Celebrations Committee has performed a delightful service, which will excuse it from any criticism for little defects in other departments. While the crowd in the streets on Saturday night was orderly and goodhumoured, there were exceptions who deserved special attention. Quite a number of young fellows who should have known better found their chief amusement in being a source of danger to others by indulgence in horse-play and the indiscriminate throwing of fireworks. We have heard of quite a large number of people who suffered most painful injuries through contact with explosives recklessly flung at them by foblish or intoxicated celebrators. Some of the fireworks retailed cm this occasion had considerable explosive force, and some even discharged hissing projectiles. This sort of thing should .be put down with a strong hand. People out to see the illuminations and take part in the rejoicings should have some guarantee that they are not going to be blinded or have their clothes burnt off them. A crowded city street is no place for the fireworks maniac to he at. large, when his enjoyment might mean life-long suffering to the unfortunate who becomes the victim of his exuberance. We hope that the city authorities will take this point into consideration, and absolutely prohibit the discharge of fireworks in the city

Among the women passengers recently “ stranded ” in Sydney who returned to Auckland bv train last week were several whose indignation was divided about equally between those responsible for their long detention in Sydney and those at whose door they laid the culminating hardships and inconvenience of the long train journey from Wellington. “Asif we had not bepn hard enough put to it over there,” said one, “without having all this delay and discomfort when We do get back! I haven’t had a square meal for weeks,” feho exclaimed, ”We just had to mftnage as best we ooiild on the way up. We telegraphed for rooms at Taumarunnl, but couldn't get them, and some soldiers gave up their beds to our party, else I suppose we would have bad to sit in the station. One old man was . charged half a crown for a scat in front . fit a fire.”