AT THE PEACE TABLE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 116, 10 February 1919, Page 6

AT THE PEACE TABLE

CHINA'S DEMANDS . . FOR REVISION OF THE TREATIES. In the contemplation of the larger and probably more spectacular issues ■ -under discussion, at the Peace Conference, one is apt to overlook momentous .questions, of the first importance " to '■'"other 'tfati'ons.- ■'' The character: of .the •■'-■' Chinese; for example—their modesty and and freedom from the fraiitic boast and foolish, word (of which Kip- • ling warns us 'to beware)—has placed that great nation of tho Orient a little outside "the '■ fo'ous of the public eye, ■ whilst Japan ~has even been well advertised. Some local curiosity has been . aroused'by a cablegram which appeared in'yesterday's Dominiok as follows:— "Tlie New York 'Times' Peking correspondent states that he learns from a responsible source that Japan 'is bringing pressure to : boar upon tho Chinese Government to get it to disavow the ' action of .the .Chinese peace 'delegation, ■whose activities are seriously embarrassing. Japan and placing her in a false . Might." .■•■.. ■ The message was mentioned to the. '. Chinese. Consul for New : Zealand (Sir. Lin), who reminded the interviewer that -China, as.an ally, was entitled to full A ''repre'serita'tion"at the conference. China had declared war on the. Central Powers, on : August li, 1917. and had, provided the Allies with 200,000 troops, which were employed 'in the war . zono in France, •■■'! chiefly■■ as. labourers, ■ but on, occasions Md taken up arms during sudden German attacks. In addition to supplying that valuable force to the Allies, China, had provided them with much valuable V Taw material, such as beef, rice, cotton,-. ■ eggs',' iron; copper, and other metals, so that in common with\ other nations she ■had her claims. What her "delegates, were seeking at the Peace Conference was the revision of unjust treaties—, treaties which China had been forced to sign with other nations .either at the .point of the sword or through corrupt ■'••■ diplomacy. She wished\for, the peace .- of the Bast and'the world.to correct injustices at the'bar. of the greatest international court of justice. Anions' .-. these : matters • woro. : the' questions •_ of extra territorial jurisdiction- of foreign :• consuls, the domestic regulation of • cus--toms. tariffs,'- and a ;revision of . the ■twenty-one demands of Japan; , : made in 1915; China during the period she was a. • republic .. had suffered • many-injustices, and an , endeavour was • bow being made to have her wrongs lighted. .•■•■• .'*■:■ : ■ ■■ ■■■ : - "•:•■(.' From the foregoing it; was concluded -that. the embarrassment of Japan by China's delegates at the Peace Conference has been brought about % China's delegation Taising the question .of the 1815 ..'/demands. '.'■':",. ';-; Mr .'Lin says that China, with the rest . of the world, 'was ■auffering from the increased cost of. living, but she was not 'bothered with labour troubles owing to 'the plenitude which' existed. • There, had ■been trouble internally • bet wen' factions -iirepresenting the northern and southern of the Republic, but since the new President had assumed his duties' '.these had been dispelled, and lie was • gradually drawing' all. parties together ■for the benefit of China as a whole.