Mr. Debuchi handed me the attached clipping this afternoon and asked
that it be filed in the Department.
Upon inquiring as to whether he considered it to be official
notification of the statements therein contained he replied that it
was
[Page 715]
only semiofficial and
really an expression of his personal views, but, that he would like
to have it on file in the Department.
He asked me to give him an expression of opinion in regard to the
subject matter. I did not do so.
[Enclosure]
Article from the “New York Herald” of July
29, 1919
Chargé of Japanese Embassy
Discusses Shantung’s Future
expressing his personal
views, he says kiaochow territory will be returned to china
and all nipponese troops withdrawn as soon as
possible
Washington, D. C, Monday—Mr. Debuchi, Counsellor for the Japanese
Embassy and Chargé in the absence of Viscount Ishii, conferred
today at the State Department with Secretary Lansing.
So far as is known, no formal request has been made upon the
Japanese Embassy by the Administration, to issue any statement
regarding the Japanese purposes as to Shantung, but Mr. Debuchi
was willing to discuss the subject with the Associated Press,
with the distinct understanding, however, that he was expressing
his own personal views.
In answer to a question as to what was to be the final
disposition of the Japanese troops in Shantung, Mr. Debuchi
replied:—
“Japan has firmly determined to restore to China her
sovereignty over the leased territory of Kiaochou, which
sovereignty was conferred upon Germany in accordance
with the stipulations of the treaty between China and
Japan in 1908.39
“Japan is not only prepared to restore that property to
China, but also is ready to open negotiations to that
end with China as soon as possible.
“The railroad between Tsingtau and Tsinanfu, which was
formerly under the exclusive management of Germany, will
be placed under the joint operation of China and Japan.
Likewise the fortified port of Tsingtau, formerly
exclusively controlled by Germany, and practically a
closed port to the rest of the world, will be opened to
foreign trade generally without discrimination.
“Japan contemplates the maintenance in Tsingtau in the
future of a Japanese settlement and also an
international settlement; the situation there will be
practically like that at Shanghai, where there is a
French settlement and an international settlement.
[Page 716]
“Germany enjoyed and exercised the right of stationing
troops in Kiaochou under the terms of her treaty with
China. Japan, however, in view of the fact that she has
determined to restore sovereignty over Kiaochou to China
is firmly determined to withdraw every one of her troops
actually stationed in Shantung just as soon as
possible.
“The above dispositions, however, are subject to the
signature of the German peace treaty by China and to a
subsequent agreement by China with Japan in regard to
the disposition of the restored territories.”
