793.94/946
Memorandum of the Third Assistant Secretary of
State (Long)
[Washington,] August 3, 1919.
Mr. Debuchi called upon me at my house about noon today and handed me
a copy of the announcement of the Japanese Government as made in
Tokyo concerning Japan’s intentions in Shantung. He handed it to me
for the information of the Department and with the statement that it
was not for publication here for it had been published in Japan and
the arrangements were made by the Japanese to allow the Associated
Press cable facilities for distributing it at large.
I received it without comment except upon the fact that there was no
time limit set within which any action should be taken.
[Page 718]
[Enclosure]
Statement by the Japanese Minister of
Foreign Affairs (Uchida), August 2, 1919
It appears in spite of official statement which Japanese
Delegation Paris issued May 5th last42 and which I fully endorsed in
interview with representatives of press on May 17th, Japan’s
policy respecting Shantung question is little understood or
appreciated abroad.
Public will remember that in ultimatum which Japanese Government
addressed to German Government August 15th, 1914, they demanded
Germany “to deliver on date not later than September 15th, 1914,
to Japanese authorities without condition or compensation entire
leased territory of Kiaochow with view to eventual restoration
of same to China.”43 Terms of that demand have never elicited
protest on part of China or any other Allied or Associated
Powers.
Following same line policy Japan now claims as one of essential
conditions of peace that leased territory of Kiaochow be
surrendered her without compensation or condition. At same time
abiding faithfully by pledge which she gave China in 1915 she is
quite willing to restore to China whole territory in question
and enter upon negotiations with Peking Government regarding
necessary arrangements to give effect to pledge as soon as
possible after Versailles Treaty shall have been ratified by
Japan.
Nor has she any intention to retain or claim rights which affect
territorial sovereignty China in Shantung province. Significance
of clause appearing in Baron Makino’s statement May 5th that
“policy of Japan is to return Shantung Peninsula in full
sovereignty to China, retain only economic privileges granted
Germany” must be clear to all.
Upon arrangement being reached between Japan and China for
restitution of Kiaochow Japanese troops now guarding that
territory and Kiaochow-Tsingtau railway will be completely
withdrawn. Kiaochow-Tsingtau railway is intended [to] be
operated as joint Chino-Japan enterprise without discrimination
in treatment against people [of] any nation. Japanese Government
has moreover under contemplation proposals for establishment at
Tsingtau of general foreign settlement instead of exclusive
Japanese settlement which by agreement of 1915 with China they
are entitled to claim.
