OCR Text |
Show CHINA AVOIDS SNARE IN SHANTUNG QUESTION TOKIO. May 25. By Tho Associated Associ-ated Press) China's reply rejecting Japan's offer to open negotiations relative to tho future status of Shantung Shan-tung has been received at the foreign for-eign office here. It says China is ready to supply guards for the railroad rail-road to displace Japanese engaged In that service, and declares that country considers tho railroad a distinct dis-tinct and separate question from that of the province. Japaneso officials point out the withdrawal of Japanese guards was offered conditional upon China's opening goneral .conversations relative rela-tive to Shantung. no |