The Daily News. TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1922. SHANTUNG AND SIBERIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 January 1922, Page 4

The Daily News. TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1922. SHANTUNG AND SIBERIA.

The two outstanding problems that appear to defy solution by the delegates to the Washington Conference are those concerning Shantung and Siberia. When it is considered that the parties chiefly interested are Japan and China, there need be no marvel at difficulties arising to prevent a settlement, as both these countries are deeply imbued with methods that do not lend themselves to straight-out issues. It may be recalled that while Russia and France, in 1897, were profiting by what they were pleased to call the generosity of China over the readjustment of boundaries, Germany alone had then received no reward for her share in compelling the retrocession of Liaotung, but in November of that year she proceeded to help herself by seizing the bay of Kiaochow, in the province of Shantung, and eventually obtained a ninety-nine years’ lease with full rights of sovereignty. In the following year, China, after much hesitation, agreed to permit the construction of railways with foreign capital, as th'e result of whieh a keen competition ensued between syndicates of different nationalities. Germany had already insisted upon obtaining, as part of the Kiaochow settlement, certain preferential railway and mining rights in the province of Shantung, while Russia. clearly indicated that she considered Manchuria as her particular field of exploitation, a policy that cost her dearly, as it was the cause of hostilities, which resulted in her defeat by Japan and the passing of the control of Manchuria to the Japanese. The partitioning of China as regards spheres of influence and foreign rights connected with railways, mining, coaling and other concessions led to the “open door” policy securing definite adhesion. It is admitted that since the conclusion of the war with Japan, China favored railway construction, but hoped to be able to retain the control in her own hands, but the masterful methods of Russia and Germany had obliged China to surrender that control so far as concerned Manchuria and Shantung. It is a curious commentary on the instability of mundane affairs that both Germany and Russia should have suffered defeat, and that their respective interests in Chinese territory should have passed to the youngest of the Great Powers —Japan. This brief sur. unary of events throws some light cn the problems of the East and the Washington Conference is endeavoring to solve. Several times during this conference the Shantung question has appeared to be on the point of settlement, and then to recede from agreement, thourh strong American pressure is being exerted on the Chinese to persuade them to abandon their uncompromising attitude. Apparently an agreement lias been reached as to opening up the leased ’territory at Kiaochow, and certain cities in Shantung, to international trade, but the payment for and control of the railways, as well as matters connected with their extension, have yet to be determined. Practically China want's to obtain control of the railways and pay for them as she pleases, which means when she can borrow the necessary capital. Japan is concerned not only with receiving the money for the railway constructed by the Germans, such money being part of German reparations payments, but also is desirous of ensuring that the management of the railways shall be so fixed that Japanese officers will take part therein. Unfortunately . China is under the influence of two parties, so that the Chinese delegates do not appear to be in a position to arrive at any definite decision, and are engaged in marking time. That attitude cannot be idulged in for any length of time without stultifying the Conference. It has all the appearance of the cat and mouse tactics, and it would seem the time has arrived for the representatives of the other nations to insist on the cessation of such a. policy, and they should proceed to draw up fair and just terms and bring pressure to bear to secure acceptance of the same. China has been so used to obeying the mas jterful policy of the Powers that

she has lost initiative, and rather looks to be told what to do than to work out her own salvation. Neither the Shantung nor the Siberian question presents any insuperable difficulties, so that a firm tone on the part of the Conference would doubtless put an end to the present elusive tactics, whieh are holding up other matters of the highest importance.