Arizona republican. [volume], July 16, 1919, Image 1

About Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930

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E ARIZONA RE PUBLICAN
AN INDEPENDENT PROGRESSIVE JOURNAL
THIRTIETH YEAR
12 PAGES
PHOENIX, ARIZONA, WEDNESDAY MORNING, JULY 16, 1919
12 PAGES
VOL. XXX., NO. 80
T
H
IN MISTREATED
II PRISON UK
EX-SOLDIERS SAI
Lieut. Frank Smith, One of
Men Convicted 1 for Out
rages, Is Phoenix Boy
Investigation B r i n g s to
Light Many Cruel Acts
By Camp Officers
WASHINGTON. July 15. Six for
mcr American soldiers, testifying to
day before a special house committee
investigating alleged cruelties to mili
tary prisoners in France, declared that
merciless assaults were committed
without provocation by arrogant offi
c em in charge of the prisons and
camps. Only one of the witnesses, all
of whom were charged with being ab
sent without leave, was convicted, the
ohers having been acquitted or the
charge lismissed.
"The bastille" "the stockade," "pris
on farm Xo. 2," and "St. Ann's hotel."
also known as "The Brig," were the
places named by the witnesses as the
scene of the alleged cruelties which
were said to have extended over sev
eral months in 1918. Some officers in
charge of the prison camps, it was
said, had been convicted by court-martial,
and others were awaiting trial.
Lieutenant "Hard-Boiled" Smith,
one of the prison carnp officers, was
mentioned freely, while others named
were Lieutenants Mason and Sullivan.
Smith Is Phoenix Boy
When Lieutenant "Hard-Boiled"
Smith was tried at Tours early this
year, a hundred witnesses appeared
against him. and he was convicted,
testified Sidney Kemp New York city.
"Fifty witnesses w.hom I can name
will verify everything said here, and
tell more, too," asserted Kemp.
Several of the soldiers testified that
in addition to being beaten food in
small amounts and of poor quality was
supplied, and that the bedding was
poor, sometimes the mattress being in
mud under a small tent.
"A prisoner was smiling and an offi-
cer says, "Take that smile off or I
will,' " A. P. Mendleburg, Baltimore'
who served with base hospital 42, tes
tified. "The officer did by rolling the
man in the mud" Mendleburg asserted.
When telling of poor food, Mendle
burg said that "if you asked 'for an
extra piece of bread you were flat on
your back." Meals he and others had,
he said, consisted of a stew made from
canned beef, one slice of bread and
part of a cup of coffee. Sometimes
only the stew was served, witnesses
said.
Lieutenant Frank Smith, mentioned
by the members before the house in
vestigating commithtee. is a former
I'hoenix boy and is well known here.
He was formerly employed on The Re
publican as a proofreader. Later he
was employed by the city an night su
perintendent of streets.
Smith comes of a prominent family.
His father, Joseph Smith, was secre
tary to Wiiliam McKinley during the
latter's administration as governor of
Ohio. When McKinley was elected to
' the presidency, Smith's father practi
cally dictated the political patronage
In Arizona. Joseph Barker, a brother-in-law
of Smith's father, was citizen
member of the board of control during
. McCord s administration in this state.
Frank Smith is well known by for
mer soldiers in I'hoenix. Heleft here
on May 9. 1016, as first lieutenant in
F company of the Firxtr'Arizona infan
try. The company Vius composed en
tirely of Indians from the reservations
near Phoenix, and while in that or
ganization Smith first gained his nick
name as "Hard Boiled' Smith. Later
he was transferred to K company of
Ce same regiment, from which com
pany he was detailed as provost mar
shal of Itisbee while the regiment was
stationed at Nam.
While in charge of the military po
lice at Bisbee. Smith first gained no
toriety as a hard man to run up
against. While he was on duty there
Sergeant Joe Bush, Also mentioned in
the dispatches, was under him. Bush,
who is from Tucson returned to the
regiment with Smith and became first
sergeant of K company when Smith
took command.
Both Smiih and Bush bore the repu
tation in the regiment of being unusu
ally strict. When recruits first started
coming to the 158th regiment, formerly
the First Arizona. Smith was placed
in charge of their instruction, with
Bush as his first aid.
Charles Goldberg. New York City, a
corporal in company G, 38th infantry,
said while at "The Brig." he was
knocked by an officer and one of his
teeth knocked out when he refused
to surrender his money belt.
"Once when I was scrubbing a floor,
a sergeant (swung a club at my head
"very five seconds." testified Goldberg.
Paul Rogsrs, Baldwin, X. Y., 318th
field signal battalion, said men on the
rm were often hungry; that they
'we're glad to oat dirty potato deal
ings." He said he "dipped a tin cup
in a swill barrel so as to get some
urease that he would eat with a relish."
"Instead r-f giving a command, it
sal generally with a club." asserted
(Continued on Page Two)
NEWS EPITOPE
FOREIGN
British dirigible, on mine sweeping
expedition, believed struck by
lightning with entire erew of 12
lost.
DOMESTIC
Shantung was price paid for Jap
anese acceptance of treaty terms,
senators charge in stirring debate
yesterday.
Committee hears testimony regard
ing mistreatment of men in prison
camps overseas; Phoenix boy al
leged to be one of chief offenders.
Chief witness against alleged Bisbee
Reporters admits being paid by
County Attorney French as deputy
sheriff.
LOCAL
State demands its share of protested
taxes paid by big mines from Gila
county treasurer.
Parents of drowned girls give warn
ing against perils of Joint Head.
Cantaloupe season is closing rap
idly; shipments make sharp decrease.
British NS-11
and Crew Are
Believed Lost
LONDON, July 15. The British
airship NS-11 which left Pulham
last night on a 43 hour flight, is
believed to have been struck by
lightning and the crew of 12 lost.
The NS-11 was engaged in mine
sweeping operations.
Wreckage of the airship, which
was of the non-rigid type and
which had been engaged in obser
vation work for the mine sweepers,
was washed ashore at Cromer to
day. The airship exploded and crash
ed into the sea in flames early
Tuesday morning. The mass of
wreckage floaed on the surface
and burned for some hours after
ward. KOREAiUTROCITIES
Elffl
MILITIfflEIH
Investigating Committee
Confirms Reports of Bru
tal Treatment of Native
Christians
NEW YORK, July 15 The follow
ing statement concerning the situation
in Korea was given out today by the
commission on relations with the
orient of the federal council of the
churches of Christ in America, of
which commission William I. Haven is
chairman and Sidney L. Gulici is sec
retary. "The reports of atrocities against the
Korean population and especially
against the native Christians that have
been coming from Korea for several
months are confirmed in abundant de
tail by a special report about to be
issued by the commission on relations
with the orient of the federal council
of the churches of Christ in America.
"The commission wishes to make
clear that while it has no jurisdiction
to speak on the political issues at stake
in Korea, yet as representing the
Christian sentiment of a majority of
American churches, it cannot remain
silent when a defenseless people are
made the victims of massacre and
widespread brutality.
"After nearly three months study of
the Korean situation, this commission
is issuing a statement based on the
examination of about 1.000 pages of
manuscript reports of committees, let
ters and the personal accounts of re
sponsible eye witnesses to the events
attending the Korean demonstrations
in favor of national independence and
their ruthless suppression by the Jap
anese military government.
Sword Emblem of Authority
"This report substantiates the
charge that the Japanese colonial sys
tem which has been forced upon the
Koreans is thoroughly Prussian in its
military severity and its treatment of
the native population. Everywhere Ui
Korea, it is stated, the sword is the
emblem of authority and even worn by
male school teachers in the class room.
"The recent movement for independ
ence was started by educated Koreans
anxious to save the people of their
country from national extinction and
for the recovery of many of the ele-
mental rights of justice, such as the
use of their own language, freedom of
the press, of speech and assembly
which have been denied them by
Japan.
"They hoped by peaceful demonstra
tions of passive resistance to the con
querors to attract the attention of the
peace conference at Paris to their
cause.
''The invariable procedure of the so
called revolutionists was to assemble,
usually carrying the national colors
and shouting 'mansei' (equivalent to
the Japanese 'banzai' or to our 'hur
rah'.) In no case was anything more
violent attempted, nor were arms borne
by the revolutionists. In scores of
cases these defenseless demonstrators
were fired upon by Japanese troops and
wounded by hundreds.
In other instances, native high school
students of both sexes who had joined
the processions in behalf of Korean lib
erty, were imprisoned and tortured.
The stripping and beating of girl dem
onstrators and the brutal treatment of
tvorean women by Japanese soldiers
were frequent, while bands of armed
Japanes? thugs were turned loose upon
the Korean crowds.
"From March 1 to April 11, 361 Ko
reans were known to have been killed
and 860 wounded. Indignities to a few
missionaries and especially the Arrest
and imprisonment of the Rev. Eli Mow
ry. are already well known in imu
The latest reports are to the effect that
the arrest and torture of suspected per
sons by the police were continuing and
that a reign of terror prevailed.
I nat the forbearing policv of the
federal council's commission "has met
with an appreciative response from the
Japanese government is evident from
the following cablegram just received
from the Hon. Takashi Hara, premier
ui ine imperial cabinet:
" 'I desire to assure you that the re
port of abuses committed by agenta of
the Japanese government in Korea has
neen engaging my most serious atten
tion. i am fully prepared to look
squarely at actual facts. As I have
declared on various occasions, the re
time ot administration inaugurated in
" me time or annexation, near
ly ten years ago, calls for substantial
modification to meet the altered con
dition of things. A comprehensive
plan of reorganization with this object
In view has already been on the tapis.'
" In view, however, of the recent im
provement in the situation, the con
templated reform can now be. in my
estimation, safely introduced and wiil
he carried into -effect as soon as the
legal requirements of procedure to
make them definite shall have been
completed." "
The commission also makes public
part of a cablegram from Viscount
I'chida, minister of foreign affairs in
Tokio. wherein he confirm the assur
ances of Premier Hara that the latter
is striving to remedy the Korean trou
ble. The message thanks the Ameri
cans for their "cordial and friendlv
spirit," and asks for a continuance of
their "sane and moderate attitude."
Th inquiry was undertaken, the
commssion says, at the request of rep
resentatives of the Presbyterian and
Methodist churches and the American
Bible society. The Japanese govern
ment was kept informed of the dls.
j closures.
I
E PROS
PAYS CHIEF WITNESS
AS "0EPUT SHERIFF"
Complainant in Actions
Against the Alleged De
porters Admits Being
Paid By Robert French,
County Attorney
DOUGLAS, July 15. After spending
all of today hearing testimony in the
case of H. E. Wooten of Bisbee, on the
charge of kidnaping, in connection with
the deportation of more than 1,10ft al
leged I. W. W. and their alleged sym
pathizers from Bisbee, July 12, 1917,
argument was postponed by agreement
between Robert N. French, county at
torney, for the state and TV- G. Gilmore
for defendants, until taking of testi
mony in all cases had been completed.
When all testimony has been offered.
Judge W. C. Jack the presiding mag
istrate, said he would grant one week
for arguments.
Mr. French announced at the close,
of Wooten's hearing that the state
would rest in that particular case, but
that he had a number of witnesses
coming, some of whom he expected to
reach Douglas tonight. That all of his
witnesses will not testify in the pre
limiry hearings was broadly intimated
by Mr. French, who said he had some
witnesses coming from as far away as
Montana, but did not wish to bring
them here for preliminary hearings.
"Hired" by County Attorney.
Fred W. Brown, who was the chief
witness against Harry Walters, again
occupied the center of the stage today
again.. One statemnt of Brown's cre
ated more than ordinary interest in the
crowded courtroom and that was when
F. E. Curley of Tucson, of defendant's
counsel, obtained the admission from
him that he had come back to Arizona
by request of Mr. French after being
11 months in Minnesota. The county
attorney, sent him $90 to pay his rail
road fare and he was now commis
sioned as a deputy sheriff but paid
through the attorney's office. ' He had
come back to Arizona for the particular
purpose of looking up evidence.
Testifying as to happenings on the
day of the deportation. Brown said he
had been stopped by Charles Bear, and
was taken to the plaza in front of the
Phelps-Dodge store, where; Wooten,
who had a rifle in' his hand, had or
dered him into a "ring sunrrounded by
gunmen." '
"Wooten asked me if I had not de
clared his place unfair and I told him
the American Federation of Labor had
done so.'
Witness said he had recognized Ger
ald Sherman and M. J. Cunningham in
tne line of armed men escorting pris
oners to the Warren ball park and that
as he was being placed in a box cat
for deportation, he recognized John C:
Greenway and Dr. N. C. Bledsoe, both
armed, near the car door. Sheriff
Harry Wheeler also was near the door
but as he wore a coat and had no
weapons in sight, witness did not
know whether he had been armed.
Explained Presence "in Ring"
Freeman Crouch, who said he had
been deported from Bisbee. said he had
heard Wooten make remarks as to why
Brown had been in "the ring. ' Wit
ness said he already was surrounded
by the armed men when Biown was
put in the ring and someone said:
"You have no business here; what
arc you doing nere, Brown?"
Wooten then said;
'Td like to know why: he told me
my place was unfair." He said while
a- the ball park he bad seen a man
approach other men and talk with
them and take notes. He had thought
the men were being offered work. Xo
one came to him to offer work on that
day. he said, but a few days previous
a man from the Holbrook mine of the
(CitUaudaODPag Two) -
US
ECUTOR
CUT BEHIND!
Uncle Sam's'newrdeliveryiboyisn't going.to stand
any foolishness from.those,IDemocxatic Kids..
Mail Service
To Huns To Be
Resumed Soon
WASHINGTON, July 15. Re
sumption of mail service between
the United States and Germany,
effective immediately) was provid
ed in an order signed late today by
Postmaster General Burleson,
Mail matter addressed to any
portion of Germany now will be
accepted under the same regula
tions and at tha same rates as ap
ply to mail' to other European
countries.
Direct mail service with Ger
many has bean prohibited since
April 7, 1917.
' : o
WASHINGTON, July 15- -Consideration
in the house today of the sundry
civil appropriation bill as remodeled to
meet the objections raised by the pres
ident in vetoing it. precipitated a par
tisan battle which finally prevented
further progress on the measure and
ended only when the republicans forced
through a motion to adjourn.
The discussion began when the rules
committee brought in a special rule for
the immediate consideration of the ap
propriation measure, changed to pro
vide J12.000.000 for the rehabilitation
of wounded soldiers and sailors, in
stead of $i,000,000, as originally carried.
Democrats opposed the resolution,
declaring that if it were adopted and
the sundry civil bill would be passed,
it would enable the republicans to
evade placing themselves on record as
being opposed to the president's veto,
and that therefore opposed to an in
crease in the appropriation for the vo
cational training board. They con
tended that a president's veto, accord
ing to the constitution, would have to
be rejected, or accepted by a record
vote.
Republicans argued, however, that
such a course was backed by precedent
and would expedite action on the meas
ure. Speaker Gillett overruled a point
of order raised by Minority Leader
Champ Clark and the resolution was
adopted by a substantial majority.
Debate on the appropriation hill re
sults from attempts of democrats' and
Representative Madden, republican of
Illinois, , to increase the vocational
training appropriation. It was con
tended that the first duty of the coun
try was to provide for its injured sol
diers, regardless of the expense, and
that $12,000,000 was entirely inade
quate. The amendments were opposed
by Chairman. Good of the appropria
tions committee, who declared that
even $12,000,000 waa more than the vo
cational training board . had ever
asked for. .,....,' . i
YUMA-MESA PROJECT
OPENED FOR ENTRY
WASHINGTON, July 15. Secretary
Lane has signed an order opening to
purchase and settlement the Yuma
Mesa, Arizona; auxiliary reclamation
project, under which 11,000 acres of
land, said to be frostless. immediately
are made available, and through which
eventually 45,000 acres will be brought
under irrigation. Bids will be ac
cepted in November for the sale of
tracts by the government. Arizona,
representatives in congress attended
the ceremonies incident to the signing.
o
NORWEGIAN MINISTER RETURNS
NEW YORK, July 15. Albert G.
Schmedeman, - United States minister
to Norway, was among the passengers
arriving today on the Norwegian
steaaper -Stavaagerfjerd from. Berg-en,
1
PROPOSED
INCREASE
.Reid liTNational Republican
J
IF LEAGUE OF
NATIONS PLAN FAILS
Auto Magnate Asserts He
Is Now for "Preparedness
to the Hilt" Day in
Court Brings Many Sen
sations MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich., July 15.
A great change has come over Henry
Ford's view in regard to internationaal
relations since he blossomed out as a
pacifist propagandist in 1915, for now,
according to his testimony in his $1,
000,000 libel suit against the Chicago
Daily Tribune, he favors another great
war without delay if the present plan
for a league of nations fails.
The Henry Ford who. in 1916. was
opposing the sending of the national
guard to the Mexican border and urg
ing the United States to take the lead
in disarmament, asserted today that he
is now for "preparedness to the hilt"
if it appears that this new war is nec
essary. He took the position as a wit
ness, that now is the time to establish
universal peace, and that if the Breat
war which ceased in the field last No
vember does not result in a league
which will assure that peace, there can
be no better time than the present to
renew the strife.
According to Mr. Ford most of the
pacifist propaganda distributed broad
cast in his name was written by Theo
dore Delavigne, a publicity agent em
ployed by him to educate the public, as
he put it, as to the waste and horror
of tar and to its needlessness. More
ofteh than not, said Mr. Ford, these ar
guments were sent out without him
having read them at all. He repeatedly
stated, however, that he assumed full
responsibility for the propaganda and
in his answers to questions propounded
by Attorney Elliott G. Stevenson, rep
resenting the Tribune, he affirmed all
the essential elements put in print by
Mr. Delavigne.
He interposed one important qualifi
cation regarding the use of the "pre
paredness." What he meant, he said.
was 'over-preparedness." In 1916, he
said he considered the United States
was sufficiently prepared for defense
and nence he opposed additions to the
army and navy. Mr. Stevenson pointed
out that in none of the articles was the
wora over-preparedness" emoloved
but instead Mr. Ford urged that the
united btates should assume leader
ship in complete disarmament in the
belief that the rest of the world would
follow this example.
i still think it is a good plan," said
tne witness.
Oustanding features of the day were:
"Production of the "flag of humanity,"
or "World Brotherhood" flag con
structed by Ford employes without au
thorization by Mr. Ford but inspired,
apparently, oy one ot his utterances,
Air. i-ords admission that he still
considers wars of aggreasion as mur
der and professional soldiers, not even
excepting General Grant and General
Pershing as murderers;
His reiteration that to1 him' history
was so much "bunk" and an admission
that on many subjects he was ignorant,
Although he did not consider himself an
"ignorant idealist" as charged bv the
Tribune in the alleged libelous editorial
of June 23, 1916, headed "Ford is un
Anarchist."
MINERS GRANTED WAGE RAISE
BUTTE, Mont., July 15. An agree
ment for a new wage scale providing
for an increase of $1 a day for mine
and smelter employes of the Anaconda
Copper Mining company here and at
Great Falls and Anaconda, Mont-, was
reached at a conference here today be
tween C!. F. KpUv nrneiilont tt tha mm
Pany, and representatives oS the em
Lpioyes.
FIRS
SHANTUNG WAS PRICE OF
JAPANESE ACCEPTANCE OF
TREATY SENATORS ASSERT
Ambition of Conquest Is
Only Excuse for Action,
Debators Charge Seek
Additional Information
From Wilson Forgot In
tegrity of China
WASHINGTON". July 15. The
stormy senate fight over the peace
treaty shifted away from the league
of nations covenant today and broke
with a new fury about the provision
giving Shantung peninsula to Japan.
In five hours of debate the treaty vp
ponents charged in bitter terms that
the Tokio government had wheedled
Shantung from China at the peace
table without the shdaow of a cause
except the ambition of conquest, and
supporters of the treaty defended the
course of President Wilson in the ne
gotiations by declaring the only alter
native was failure of the whole peace
conference.
Chairman Lodge of the foreign rela
tions committee declared Shantung
was a "price paid" for Japan's ac
ceptance of the league of nations. Sen
ator Norris. republican. Nebraska,
charged that Japan in 1917 secretly
had inveigled the European allies into
promise to support her Shantung
claims. Senator Borah, republican,
Idaho, asserted that if the United
States must either underwrite the
Shantung agreement or accept the
challenge of another power, the coun
try would choose the latter course.
"Bought" Japan's Acceptance
Senator Hitchcock, Nebraska, rank
ing democrat of the committee, re
plied that the German rights in Shan
ti ng were obtained legally by treaty in
1998 and were Won fairly from Uer-
many by Japanese long before the
United States entered the war. Sen
ator Williams, democrat, Mississippi,
said the president had to accept the
Shantung settlement or come home
without a general treaty of peace and
that Japan never would give up ine
peninsula unless forced to do so by
war.
In the end the senate adopted with
a record vote a resolution by Senator
Lodge, asking the president for any
available information about a secret
treaty alleged to have been negotiated
between Japan and Germany in 1918
embodying a plan for Russian rehab
ilitation and promising Japan's indirect
protection of German Interests at the
Versailles negotiations.
A sweeping request for information
about the conversations at Versailles
also was sent to the white house by
the foreign relations committee, which
adopted a resolution by Senator John
son, republican, California, calling for
an proposed drafts for a league cove
Jiant, for reports of arguments relative
to the league and for "all data bearing
upon or used in connection with the
treaty of peace."
At its meeting the committee began
the reading of the treaty, covering in
less than two hours about one-fifth of
its sections but passing over for fu-
ture consideration the league covenant,
tn? boundaries of Germany, and many
iiimui provisions, ine reading will
continue at a long session tomorrow
the senate having adjourned tonight
until Thursday so the committee would
not be interrupted in its work.
There was no discussion of Presi
dent Wilson's offer to consult with the
committee on doubtful points of the
treaty, nor was any attempt made to
have the committee open its doors to
the public. It was said these Questions
mignt not come to a head for several
days after the reading of the document
was iinissnea. mere was a growing
conviction, nowever, that should the
president see the committee, it would
be at the white house and not at the
committee room.
Chinese Dismemberment Llkelv
Declaring the whole reason for the
bnantune decision was that .la nan
threatened to quit the conference un
less her demands were satisfied. Sen
ator Borah said Japanese possession of
nantung meant that Tokio would con
trol all three gateways to China and
tne result would be Chinese dismem
berment.
"Every nation that sat around the
council table," said the Idaho senator,
"was under a solemn duty to protect
the integrity of China. But no nation
ever played her diplomatic game with
greater toresight than did Japan. In
the first place she put forward her
racial equality clause, which she did
not expect to be accepted. Then when
me quesuon oi uerman possessions
came up, she was in a position to sav
that she must not be refused twice on
matters vital to her.
"The president could do nothing else
than give Shantung to Japan if he
wanted the treaty signed, but the whole
question with us is whether the United
States will become now a party to
tnat transaction.
Would Guarantee Rape of China
"I do not anticipate that if we re
fuse to underwrite and guarantee the
rape of China, we will have to go to
war. I do not think .la Dan cinscts
to underwrite this. She would have
been perfectly satisfied with a treaty
with Great Britain and France. That
is their business.
"But if the time indeed has com
when the United States must engage
in the enslaving of peoples and must
break her 48 treaties guaranteeing
Chinese integrity, or else face the chal
le nge of another nation, then she will
face the challenge of another nation.
We have cringed long enough."
. Senator Lodge's charge that Japan's
support of the league had been pur
chased by the Shantung agreement was
coupled with a warning that Japan
was following in the footsteps of Ger
many as an empire builder.
MOTHER WAS SUICIDE
IS DEFENSE OF SON
MOUNT AYR, Iowa. July 15. The
defense in the trial of Roy Emerson on
charge of matricide began presenta
tion of its issues today, introducing a
half dozen witnesses in its efforts to
show that Mrs. Kate Emerson commit
ted suicide and was not beaten to
death by her son, as the state con
tends. - Several witnesses testified that Mrs
Emerson had at times intimated tha
she intended to commit suicide soml
Mtmft And that she was melanebolvt
Official Documents That
Passed Between Japan
and French and British
Introduced By Norris to
Expose Alleged . Secret
"Treaties"
WASHINGTON. July 15. A chargs
thai Japan secretly secured pledgta
from Great Britain, France, Italy and
Russia early in 1917 that in the peace,
settlement Shantung peninsula shouid.
for certain considerations. e turned
over to the Tokio government, was
made in thesenate today by Senator
Norris, republican, of Nebraska, who
produced what he declared to be
copies of diplomatic correspondence
embodying the promises of Great
Britain and Rrance.
Thepledges the Nebraska senator
declared, fully explained the pressure
which resulted in Shantung's transfer
Japan under the ersailles treatv
whose ratification by the senate, he
asserted, would write "the blackest
page in the nation's history."
Great Britain s influence . in the
matter, he charged, was scecured by
Japan's support of British claims toi
Pacific islands south of the equator,
while France's aid was purchased bv
a promise of the Tokio government to
help draw China intothe war so that
German ships in Chinese harbors,
would be available for carrying troops
and provisions to France.
Talk Agreement with British ' -
"On the 27th day of March. 1916."
said Senator Norris, "the Japanese
minister of foreign affairs at Tokio.
approached the British - ambassador
located at that place with a view of
bringing about an agreement with the
eriusn government. The British min
ister cabled to his government at I.nn-
don, and after receiving instructions
irom nis government, wrote the Japa
nese government as follows:
British Embassy, Tokio, Feb
16, 1917.
"'My Dear Excellency: With
reference to the subject of our
conversation of the 27th ultimo
.... his Brittannic majesty's
government accedes with -pleasure
to the request of the Japanese
government for an assurance that
they wil lsupport Japan's claims
in regard to the disposal of Ger
many's rigfhts in Shantung pos
sessions' and the islands north of
the equator on tne occasion of
the peace conference. It being
understood that the Japanese gov
ernment will in the eventual peace
settlement treat in the same spirit
Great Britain's claims to the Ger
man islands south of the equator
" 'I avail myself ot this opportu
nity to renew to your excellency
the assurance of my highest con
sideration. "'Conyngham Green, his Brittan
nic majesty's ambassador.'
noi'?n.v.the, 21st day of February.
ii, the Japanese government re
plied to this communication of tha
British government as follows
(Omitted formal part):
"The Japanese government is
deeply appreciate iof the friendlv
sprit in which your government
nas fgiven assurance, and happy
to note it as fresh proof of the
close ties that unite the two allied
fw??- J take P,easure in stating
tnatthe Japanese government on
us part is fully prepaid to sup
port in the same spirit the claim?
which may be put forward at th
peace conference in iregard to the
German possessions in the island'
south of the equator.
rench Agree to Proposals
The government of the French re
public is disposed to give the Japanese
government its accord in regulating at
outtio f, ,the PPaCe "WUtToE
questions vital to Japan concerning
Shantung and the German islands in
the Pacific, north of the equator It
orS'thTeS t0, S,Upport ,he demand
of the imperial Japanese government
for. the surrender of the rights Ger
many possessed before the war in this
Chinese province and these Islands
ba'n!r',r.'and demands on the other
hand, that Japan give its support to
obtain from China breaking of its re
lations with Germany and that it gives
this act desirable significance Tha
beTfXwmg?hiS in China Sh0uM
"'First, handing of passports to the
German diplomatic agents and consuls.
Second, the obligation of all under-
termorV diCtin l l6aVe Chine
" 'Third, the .internment of German
ships in Chinese ports, and the ulti
mate requisition of these ships in order
amPIalnhem atJhe disPsal of the
allies, following the ejample of Italv
of Portugal. According to the infor
mation of the French government
there are 15 German ships in Chinese,
ports, totalling about 40,000 tons.
"'Fourth, requisition of German
commercial houses established in
Tr, Vr lms lne r'Knt of Germans
m the concessions she possesses in.
certain parts of China,'
tv,lrfPn receipt of this communication
the foreign minister of Japan, on be-
wl i Pan' Promised compliance-
with the request of the French gov
ernment contained in this letter. Sim
ilar negotiations were entered into
with similar results with Italy al
though the negotiations with Italv' took I
place in Rome and not in Tokio.
similar agreement also was made with
Russia, and it must be remembered!
that at that time Russia was still in,
the war and it was anticipated thati
at the close of the war she would havei
a place at the peace table.
"A Dishonorable Agreement"
"It is thus clearly disclosed that'
while these leading governments of the-'
world were inducing China to get into,
the war. in order that they might se- .
cure her assistance and particularlyi
uiibiii uk ttDie to get possession
of the German ships in China's harbors
they were secretly plotting amonf
a.-. lu ner aestruction asl
soon as she had complied with theirt
wishes and the war was over. In
the annais of history, I do not believe-i
there is recorded an instance of a
more disgraceful and dishonorable,
agreement to carve up the territory
not of an enemy, but of an allied'
friend.
"And if we approve this wicked de-,
cree, is it any -nicked offanse. to s&jS