Thank you for correcting the text in this article. Your corrections improve Papers Past searches for everyone. See the latest corrections.

This article contains searchable text which was automatically generated and may contain errors. Join the community and correct any errors you spot to help us improve Papers Past.

Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image

THE FAR EAST.

LEASES IN CHINA

CHINA ASKS ANNULMENT. FAR-REACHING EFFECTS. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright/ Washington, Dec. 3. The special representative of the Australian Press Association says that the Far Eastern committee discussed to-day the question of the leased areas in China. Mr. Koo stated that the existence of leased territories was due originally to the aggression of Germany, constraining the Chinese Government to grant the lease of Kiauchau Bay. This was followed by a Russian demand respecting the lease of Liautung Peninsula, and the right to' build a railway, which was the cause of the Russo-Japanese

Following these bases France obtained the lease of Kwangchow Bay, and Britain of Kowloon and Weihaiwei. Britain and France based their claims on the necessity of preserving the balance of power in the Far East. Mr. Koo pointed out that the leases were all for a fixed period, and not transferable without China’s consent. China’s sovereignty was reserved in all cases. Since the granting of the leases conditions in the Far East has entirely altered, Germany had beer) eliminated, Russia had disappeared, and Manehu rule had ended. The Chinese delegation believed that the time had come for the Powers to relinquish the control of the leased territories The existence of these leases greatly prejudiced China’s territorial and administrative integrity, hampered the work of national defence, and involved China in complications with other Powers, for instance, the Russo-Jap-anese and European wars.

The Chinese asked for the annulment and early termination of the leases and demilitarisation pending the same, but were prepared to respect and safeguard the legitimate vested interests of the different Powers within the territories.

M. Viviani declared that? France was ready to join in the collective restitution of the leased territories, it being understood that the principle being once admitted and all private rights safeguarded, the conditions and time limits should be determined by agreement with the Chinese Government and each of the Governments concerned. Japanese views.

M. Shidehara pointed out that Japan had obtained her leased territories! not directly, but as the successor to other Powers. Regarding Kaiuchau Japan had declared on several occasions that she • mid restore it to China. As the result of conversations which were now going on a happy’ solution of the problem was hoped for. Therefore the lease of Kiauchau was not one calling for separate treatment. The Japanese delegates desired to make it clear that Japan had no intention at present of relinquishing important rights in the Kwantung province, Port Arthur and Dairen, which were acquired lawfully at considerable sacrifice. The territory, form's part of the Manchuria region where, by reason of its close to Japan, she has vital interests relating to her economic life and national safety. It was pointed out that the British, American, and French Governments recognised this at the time of the formation of the international consortium. BRITAIN’S ATTITUDE. Mr. Balfour emphasised that the Kowloon and Weihaiwei leases were on entirely different bases. The former was obtained for no other reason except to give security to the port of Hong Kong, one of the world’s greatest shipping centres which, without it would be at the mercy of the enemy possessing modern artillery. The safeguarding of Hong Kong was not merely a British matter, but one in which the whole world was concerned. Britain must, therefore, deal with the lease of Kowloon in a. different spirit from other leased territories. Britain was ready to return Weihaiwei as part of a general arrangement intended to confirm the sovereignty of China and to aive effect to the principle of the open door. The surrender could only be undertaken as part of such a general arrangement. The Government’s policy was' to make use of the surrender of Weihaiwei in assisting to secure a settlement of the question of Shantung. After hearing the delegates Mr. Koo sincerely thanked them and asked for another opportunity for discussion.

CHINESE DEMANDS IMPRACTICAL. Baron Kato, having consulted Tokio, states that the congestion on the Pacific cables will cause actual announcements to be postponed till the end of the week, Baron Kato not liking to proceed without the Japanese Cabinet* acquiescence, though undoubtedly e could do so if he wished. The Chinese are fighting their hardest for an early and complete application of Mr. Root’s principle, but this -will not be done. They will be told positively that any such action is out ot the question at this juncture the internal conditions not warranting the Powers to arrive at a complete under standing how to handle Chinese mat-

te it is not thought likely that France will retire from Kwanchow while the British and Japanese will hold Kowloon and the Liaotung Peninsula. All round a great deal more has been done than people realise. Mr. former United States Master to China, points out to-night that the consortium never recognised Japan’s vital interest in Manchuria, but agreed that no loans should be used in Manchuria affecting the. interests of Japan there. The general impression here is that Japan will never give up This is confirmed by Mr. Shidehara s concerning future arrange ments offers-two interesting suggestions fust, that Japan should J™ rchas * whole territory outnght from Chma, second, that Manchuria should declare its independence and ask the protection of Japan and grant Japan perpetiial sovereign prerogatives in the Liaotung Peninsula. This latter is analogous to the relations .between the Panama Republic and the United States.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TDN19211206.2.51

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Taranaki Daily News, 6 December 1921, Page 5

Word count
Tapeke kupu
902

THE FAR EAST. Taranaki Daily News, 6 December 1921, Page 5

THE FAR EAST. Taranaki Daily News, 6 December 1921, Page 5

Help

Log in or create a Papers Past website account

Use your Papers Past website account to correct newspaper text.

By creating and using this account you agree to our terms of use.

Log in with RealMe®

If you’ve used a RealMe login somewhere else, you can use it here too. If you don’t already have a username and password, just click Log in and you can choose to create one.


Log in again to continue your work

Your session has expired.

Log in again with RealMe®


Alert