JAPAN’S AMBITIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 February 1921, Page 5

JAPAN’S AMBITIONS.

INFLUENCE OVER SHANTUNG. OUSTING THE CHINESE. By Telegraph.—Press Assn—Copyright. Received Feb. 16, 12.5 p.m. New York, Feb. 14. The Chicago Tribune’s Shanghai correspondent states that it,appears that Japan is steadily consolidating her position at Shantung, despite her assurances that the troops would be withdrawn and Ysingate would be returned to China. Incidents indicating an ambition to convert the province into Japanese territory, and infringement of China’s sovereignty, are practically of daily occurrence. The Japanese administration at Tsingtao forbids Chinese to establish Bchools, religious societies, newspapers' or similar public organisations. Japanese companies afe minting Chinese copper coins of a lighter weight than the standard, which 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 their few possessions left with which to struggle against the famine. The Japanese population at Tsinanfu claim that the Chinese police are incapable of providing the necessary protection, and they demand the right to organise their own force, one part of which is already patrolling the city. More than 3000 Japanese troops are now stationed along the Tsinenfu-Tsingtao failway, where they often destroy crops p.nd drill without compensation.—Aus.®».Z. Cable Assn.