On January 27 the Japanese argued their case before the Council, the Chinese delegates being present; and on the 28th Dr.V.K.Wellington Koo spoke on behalf of China.

In a note on the meeting I recorded that "he simply overwhelmed the Japanese with his argument." I believe that that opinion was common to all those who heard the two presentations.

In fact it made such an impression on the Japanese themselves, that one of the delegates called upon me the following day and attempted to offset the effect by declaring that the United States, since it had not promised to support Japan's contention, would be blamed if Kiao-Chau was returned directly to China.

He added that there was intense feeling in Japan in regard to the matter.

It was an indirect threat of what would happen to the friendly relations between the two countries if Japan's claim was denied.
The sessions of the Commission on the League of Nations and the absence of President Wilson from Paris interrupted further consideration of the Shantung Question until the latter part of March, when the Council of Four came into being.