JAPAN’S SHANTUNG PROPOSALS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16550, 8 October 1921, Page 9

JAPAN’S SHANTUNG PROPOSALS.

CHINA BAYS “ NO.” By Telegraph—Pr»w Association. — Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received October 8, 9.20 a.m.) NEW YORK, October 7. The Pekin correspondent of the Philadelphia “ Public Ledger ” Btates that the Japanese Minister, Mr Obata, did not agree to transmit officially China’s memorandum regarding the Shantung question, but unofficially accepted the document in order to study it and to sco whether he should forward it. It is understood that China opposes Japan’s view at every point, basing their opposition primarily on tho fact that Japan has no legal right to Shantung and argues that China alone should decide the questions there. Japan feels that China has not answered the Note but haa merely set forth her own views. Japan’s proposals were as follow : (1) The leasehold of Kiaochau, the rights originally granted to Germany over a fifty kilometre zone round Kiaochau Bay, shall be restored to China. (2) Japan will abandon plans for a Japanese exclusive settlement or international settlement at Tsing-tao, provided China opens the leased territory of Kia-ocluui as a free trade port, and permits nationals of all foreign countries to reside there and carry on commerce. China shall also open Shantung province for residence and trade to all foreign nationals. (3) The Kiaochau-Tsinganfu railway and all mines appertaining thereto shall bo worked by joint Chino-Japan-ese enterprise.

(4) Japan will renounce all preferential rights for the supply of personal capital and material stipulated in the Chino-German treaty of 1898. It was reported on October 3 in a message from Peking that it was understood in official circles that China had rejected Japan’s Shantung proposals.