tablished Japanese hegemony in the Far East. To what extent this situation has actually been brought about, can only be determined by future events.

In examining diplomatic negotiations between governments, especially in so complicated a case as those between Japan and China, it is important that the point of view of each shall be fully and fairly presented, so far as official statements make it possible to do so. The assertions, denials and counter assertions have been so many in this instance, that it seems proper to devote the necessary space to the statements of both nations.

The original Japanese demands were handed to the President of the Chinese Republic, Yuan-Shih-Kai, on January 18, 1915, by Mr. Eki Hioki, the Japanese Minister at Peking. This course was regarded by the Chinese Foreign Office as a departure from the ordinary methods of diplomatic negotiation; but the government waiving the informality, there ensued a series of conferences which continued from February 2 to April 7, twenty-four conferences being held. "Throughout this whole period the Chinese Government steadfastly strove to arrive at an amicable settlement and made every concession possible," says the official Chinese statement.

Of the twenty-one demands originally submitted by Japan, China agreed to fifteen, some in principle and some textually, six being initialed by both parties.

On April 18, the conferences were summarily suspended by Japan, whose Minister at Peking submitted a revised series of demands on April 26, whereupon the conferences were resumed and continued until May 7. On the latter date the Japanese Minister presented an ultimatum, accompanying a revised series of demands, seven in number, which concluded as follows-we use the Chinese translation:

The Imperial Government hereby again offer their advice and hope that the Chinese Government, upon this advice, will give a satisfactory reply by six o'clock p. m. on the ninth day of May. It is hereby declared that if no satisfactory reply is received before or at the specified time the Imperial Government will take such steps as they may deem neces

sary.

This ultimatum resulted in a prompt acceptance of the Japanese demands as finally revised, and the ratification of two treaties, under

date of May 25, 1915. These treaties are printed in the Supplement to this JOURNAL for January, 1915, and need not here be repeated. Shortly afterwards the Chinese Government made public what was called a "frank and plain statement" of the facts connected with the negotiations that had been thus abruptly terminated. Statements were likewise issued by Count Okuma, the Premier of Japan, and there were several interpellations in the Japanese Diet, to which Baron Kato, the Foreign Secretary, made reply. These documents and speeches are our main sources of information.

A full understanding of the purpose and the results of this protracted negotiation and these repeated modifications of the Japanese demands, can only be had by examining them together, and in connection with the treaties which followed. They should also be studied in connection with Baron Kato's instructions to Mr. Hioki, dated December 3, 1914, which we find in The Far Eastern Review for June, 1915:

In order to provide for the readjustment of affairs consequent on the Japan-German War and for the purpose of ensuring a lasting peace in the Far East by strengthening the position of the Empire, the Imperial Government have resolved to approach the Chinese Government with a view to conclude treaties and agreements mainly along the lines laid down in the first four Groups of the appended proposals. *

*

Believing it absolutely essential, for strengthening Japan's position in Eastern Asia as well as for preservation of the general interests of that region, to secure China's adherence to the foregoing proposals, the Imperial Government are determined to attain this end by all means within their power. You are, therefore, requested to use your best endeavor in the conduct of the negotiations, which are hereby placed in your hands.

As regards the proposals contained in the Fifth Group, they are presented as the wishes of the Imperial Government. The matters which are dealt with under this category are entirely different in character from those included in the first four Groups. An adjustment, at this time, of these matters, some of which have been pending between the two countries, being nevertheless highly desirable for the advancement of the friendly relations between Japan and China as well as for safeguarding their common interests, you are also requested to exercise your best efforts to have our wishes carried out.

It is very likely that in the course of these negotiations the Chinese Government will desire to find out the attitude of the Imperial Government on the question of the disposition of the leased territory of Kiaochow Bay. If the Chinese Government will accept our proposals as

above stated, the Imperial Government may, with due regard to the principle of China's territorial integrity and in the interest of the friendship of the two countries, well consider the question with a view to restoring the said territory to China, in the event of Japan's being given free hand in the disposition thereof as the result of the coming peace conference between Japan and Germany. As, however, it will be necessary in restoring the said territory to China, to lay certain conditions such as the opening of the territory for foreign trade, establishment of a Japanese settlement, etc., you will ask for further instructions when you propose to declare to the Chinese Government the willingness of the Imperial Government to consider the question.

The original Japanese demands were arranged in five groups, covering related subjects. The first group dealt with the Province of Shantung, in which is situated the German fortress of Kiaochow, attacked and reduced by Japan in the earlier months of the European War. Its four clauses read as follows, attention being particularly called to the preamble:

GROUP ONE

The Governments of Japan and China being desirous of maintaining the peace of Eastern Asia and of further strengthening the friendly relations existing between the two neighboring nations, agree to the following articles:

1. The Chinese Government agrees that when the Japanese Government hereafter approaches the German Government for the transfer of all rights and privileges of whatsoever nature enjoyed by Germany in the Province of Shantung, whether secured by treaty or in any other manner, China shall give her full assent thereto.

2. The Chinese Government agrees that within the Province of Shantung and along its sea border, no territory or island or land of any name or nature shall be ceded or leased to any third Power. 3. The Chinese Government consents to Japan building a railway from Chefoo or Lungkow to join the Kiaochow-Tsinanfa Railway. 4. The Chinese Government agrees that for the sake of trade and for the residence of foreigners certain important places shall be speedily opened in the Province of Shantung as treaty ports, such necessary places to be jointly decided upon by the two governments by separate agreement.

At first the Chinese representatives maintained in the Conference that the subject of the first article related to the post bellum settlement, and should be left open for discussion by all parties interested in the

European Peace Conference. They also desired an agreement that Japan would ultimately restore the leased territory of Kiaochow to China, and an agreement to indemnify China for the losses arising out of the Japanese military operations in and about the leased territory. These propositions were not accepted. As to Article 3, a slight change was made to the effect that China secured the privilege of building the railroad from Chefoo or Lungkow, provided she first approached Japanese capitalists to negotiate a loan.

In the "revised" draft of Japan's demands, presented April 26, 1915, the first group read as follows:

Article 1. The Chinese Government engages to give full assent to all matters upon which the Japanese Government may hereafter agree with the German Government, relating to the disposition of all rights, interests and concessions, which Germany, by virtue of treaties or otherwise, possesses in relation to the Province of Shantung.

Article 2. (Changed into an exchange of notes.)

The Chinese Government declares that within the Province of Shantung and along its coast no territory or island will be ceded or leased to any Power under any pretext.

Article 3. The Chinese Government consents that as regards the railway to be built by China herself from Chefoo or Lungkow to connect with the Kiaochow-Tsinanfu Railway, if Germany is willing to abandon the privilege of financing the Chefoo-Weihsien line, China will approach Japanese capitalists to negotiate for a loan.

Article 4. The Chinese Government engages, in the interest of trade and for the residence of foreigners, to open by China herself as soon as possible certain suitable places in the Province of Shantung as commercial ports.

(Supplementary exchange of notes.)

The places which ought to be opened are to be chosen, and the regulations are to be drafted, by the Chinese Government, but the Japanese Minister must be consulted before making a decision.

These revised demands were finally all accepted by China, and accordingly an explanatory note of the Japanese Minister dated May 7, declared: "If the Chinese government accept all the articles as demanded in the ultimatum, the offer of Japan to restore Kiaochow to China made April 26, will still hold good."

The second group of demands related to South Manchuria and Eastern Inner Mongolia, and, with the preamble, read as follows:

GROUP TWO

The Chinese Government has always acknowledged the specially favorable position enjoyed by Japan in South Manchuria and Eastern Inner Mongolia, and Japan therefore demands:

1. That the term of lease of Port Arthur and Dalny and the term of lease of the South Manchuria and Antung-Mukden Railways be extended to the period of 99 years.

2. That Japanese subjects in South Manchuria and Eastern Inner Mongolia in erecting buildings for the purpose of trade and manufacture or for farming shall have the right to lease or own land so required.

3. That Japanese subjects shall be free to reside and travel in South Manchuria and Eastern Inner Mongolia and to engage in business and in manufacture of any kind whatsoever.

4. That Japanese subjects be granted the right of opening all mines in South Manchuria and Eastern Inner Mongolia, such mining places to be jointly decided upon by the two governments.

5. That in respect of the two following subjects mentioned herein below the Japanese Government's consent shall be first obtained before action shall be taken:

(a) Whenever permission is granted to the subject of a third Power to build a railway or make a loan with a third Power for the purpose of building a railway in South Manchuria and Eastern Inner Mongolia.

(b) Whenever a loan is to be made with a third Power pledging the local taxes of South Manchuria and Eastern Inner Mongolia as security.

6. That if the Chinese Government in South Manchuria or Eastern Inner Mongolia employs advisers or instructors for political, financial, or military purposes the Japanese shall first be consulted.

7. That the control and administration of the Kirin-Changchun Railway shall be handed over to the Japanese Government to take effect on the signing of this agreement, the term to last for 99 years.

As presented in the "revised" form, Group Two read as follows:

Article 1. The two contracting Powers mutually agree that the term of lease of Port Arthur and Dalny and the terms of the South Manchuria Railway and the Antung-Mukden Railway, shall be extended to 99

years.

(Supplementary exchange of notes.)

The term of lease of Port Arthur and Dalny shall expire in the 86th year of the Republic, or 1997. The date for restoring the South Manchurian Railway to China shall fall due in the 91st year of the Republic,