Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-04-12
Appears to Transgress
on Railway Conces-
sions and Pledges Re-
ceived by En- CLAN d
from China
WARM CRITICISM
BY BRITISH PRESS

pekin, China, April 11.--Article 5 of
Group V of the Japanese demands
made on China-an article which, it
is pointed out here, may be regard
ed by the British as transgressing on
their railway concessions and rail-
way pledges received from China
was reached in the discussion at the
conference held yesterday between
the Japanese minister to China Mr..
Hioki and the Pekin government Off
Gals.
Article 5 of group ) reads:
China agrees to Japans right to
build a railway connecting W.T. Chang
with Kiu- kiang and Na-Chang; also
d line between Wu-Chang and Hank
Chow, and a line between Nan-C Chang
and kiao-Chow."
British Hesitation
Influential Japanese in Toxic and
in Pekin have been suggesting fer
many months that British capital AMI
Japanese enterprise for railway and
other developments in China be COM
bined. British capitalists, however, so
/ far have failed to respond to the idea
The British press in the Orient is
unsparing in it's criticism of Japan.
The North China Daily News, one of
j the most important British newspa-
pers in the Far East recently styled
Japan's demand on China as dirty
trick"
Those foreign advisers who believe
that Japan dare not employ force
Especially after China has conceded in
| lone form or another all but one article
sof the first four groups of Japan 5
Edallands are prevailing with President
flDn Shi-Kai for the time being. The
[SfSer attitude which the Chinese be-
#Han to display at the conference held
| on Thursday was continued at yesteT-
DAYS meeting, Foreign Minister Lu
| Cheng- Hsiang refusing to discuss ar
ticles 4, and of group despite. it
is said by Chinese officials definite
threats of the part of Japan.
Articles Four and Six
Article 4 on group V proposes that
Il China shall purchase from Japan a
II fixed ratio of the quantity of NUM-
4 tons of war-say above so per cent
i or Japan shall establish in China a
\ Jointly worked arsenal, Japanese tech
meal experts to be employed an
\ Japanese material to be purchased. }
(Article of the same group says
Il China agrees that in the Province
of Fukien Japan shall have the right
IL Ito work mines and build railways and
|fto construct harbor works including
Hd,6kyaras and in case of employing
Hfbreion capital Japan shall be first
xfchsulted.D
Foreign Minister Lucheng- Hsians
IIagain asked that discussion regarding
{tthe Nanchurian groups be concluded.
HThe Japanese minister replied as on
Hal previous occasion that he was with
II out instructions in TINS regard from
NTokio There seems to be no DOUBT
Erow in Chinese and foreign circles IN
HPekin that the Japanese are DELHI
II eratelv maintaining the Manchurlan
group open.
II u. S, Not to Interfere
a In Japanese newspaper published IN
China, and otherwise, the japanese are
Estriving to impress upon the chi
tnese that the latter's hope of Amefl-
il can assistance will be unaValllng' II
II being declared that Japan has knoWl-
ii edge that the American government
u will not interfere.
The Japanese are also arguing OF
II fcially and in the press that emma =
Japanese combination, meaning an al
II lance, will strengthen China. Such
lt'combination is specially argued when
I article of group is the SUBJECT Oh
u discussion.