SHANTUNG

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 122, 16 February 1921, Page 7

SHANTUNG

JAPAN CONSOLIDATING HER POSITION RESTRICTING ACTIVITIES OF CHINESE (Rec. February 15, midnight.) New York, February 14. Tho Chicago “Tribune’s” Shanghai correspondent states that it appears that Japan is steadily consolidating her position at Shantung, despite the assurances that the troops would be withdrawn and Tsingtao be returned to China. Incidents indicating an ambition to convert the province into Japanese territory and the infringement of China’s sovereignty are practically of daily occurrence. The Japanese administration at Tsingtao forbids the Chinese to establish schools, religious societies, newspapers, or similar public organisations. Japanese companies are minting Chinese copper coins of a lighter weight than the standard, and these coins are circulating not only in Shantung, but in other parts of the country. The most serious charge, however, is that the Japanese are arming Chinese bandits, who prey on the native population of Shantung, robbing them of the few possessions left with which to struggle against famine. The Japanese population at Tsinanfu claim that the Chinese police are incapable of providing the necessary protection, and demand the right to organise their own force, one part of which is already patrolling tho city. More than 3000 Japanese troops are now stationed along the Tsinanfu-Tsingtao railway, and often destroy tho crops where they drill without compensation.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.