HARDING OFFERS IDEAS FOR SOLUTION TO DISPUTE BETWEEN CHINA & JAPAN
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On January 25, 1922, "China's claim for the return" of Shantung* Province was discussed for more than an hour at the White House. Participants in the discussion included President Warren G. Harding, Secretary of State Charles Evans Hughes and Chinese Minister Dr. Alfred Sze**.
President Harding offered "several suggestions for a possible solution" to the dispute between China and Japan. The New York Tribune reports that the President is hopeful that the matter can be settled by the close of the armaments conference.
Dr. Sze informed the President that the unconditional surrender of the Shantung Province is "essential" to the self-respect of the Chinese people.
The Tribune's Thomas Steep writes that it is Mr. Harding view "that Shantung belongs to China."
*The Shantung (Shandong) Dispute concerned Article 156 of the Treaty of Versailles, 1919 dealing with the Shandong Peninsula. The province was returned to Chinese leasehold by the Nine-Power Treaty, 1922 although Japan maintained economic dominance.
**Dr. Alfred Sao-ke Sze (1877-1958) was the 1st Chinese student to graduate from Cornell University, 1901. AS headed China's delegation to the United States 1921-1929 & was Ambassador to the U.S. 1933-1936.
SOURCE
"President Intervenes To Obtain Settlement Of Shantung Dispute," by Thomas Steep, The New York Tribune, January 26, 1922, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
