JAPAN AND CHINA

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 121, 15 February 1919, Page 9

JAPAN AND CHINA

SITUATION CAUSING GRAVE

APPREHENSION

SECRET TREATIES STOLEN

By Telegraah—Press Association— Copyright (Rec. February 15, 1.35 a.m.) Washington, February 13.' Japan's attitude towards China at the Peace Conference is causing grave apprehension amongst the , representatives of the other associated Powers.- According to official diplomatic information here Japan virtually threatened war if China makes public tho secret treaties or fails to carry out tho agreement to makn Japan the successor to Germany in the property and concessions held by Germany at the outbreak of tho war. When tho Chinese peace delegates arrived 'at Paris they reported that the treaties had been stolen from jtiieir' baggago while passing through Japan, and consequently tiey were unable to carry out thoir purpose of making them public at the Conference, but tho delegates verbally reported the substance of the stoloii cfocuments, whereupon Japan demanded that China should disavow tho rfelegates' action. \ The most important of \hese treaties is dated September last. II grants Shantung to Japan, admits Japan as the successor to Germany's rights and concessions to railways and mines. The Chinese claim that Japan already ]>ossesses under treaties two-fifths of the iron deposits of tho. entire Chinese Republic. Th'ev also stale that their Foreign Minister'has been bluntlv told that Japan has idle an army of over a million ready to conduct a long war.—Reuter.

CHINESE PRESIDENT REFUSES JAPAN'S DEMANDS. (Rec. February 14, 10.55 p.m.)

\ Peking, February 13. Although tho Cabinet and the Diplomatic Commission havo advised President Hsu Shi Chang to accede to tho Japanese demands that the Chiiieso peace delegates should act in consonance with those of Japan, the President has not yielded. Instead he has cabled to Paris expressing confidence in the Chinese delegates— Aus.-N.Z; Cablo Assn.

EXISTENCE OF' SECRET TREATIES DENIED. New York, February 13. According to the Washington correspondent of the "Now York Times," it has been denied in a Japanese diplomatic quarter that Japan threatened China if the latter published tho secret treaties. It was declared that no secret treaties existed. Tho Japanese Government has suggested to China that tho peace delegates should refrain from antiJapanese agitation in Paris, in view of the friendly relations existing, between the countries.—A'us.-N.Z. Cable Assn,