Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-07-03
China ADMITS WEAKNESS
AND HUMILIATION in AGREEING
TO THE JAPANESE DEMANDS

ASSOCIATED Press Correspondence
Picking. Nav 27.-Remarkably frank
confessions OF Chinas weakness and
humiliation in agreeing to the Japan
ESQ demands, appear not only in the
newspapers, but in high official docu-
mentS which are attracting general
notice among both the Chinese and
foreigners. For instance, q presiden-
tai proclamation which was issued i'm
r,ediately after the signing of the new
treaties with Japan, says we are
ashamed of the humiliation and
herewith the President goes so far as
to add land l feel that l am a man
Of little virtue and ability"
Quoting more fully, the proclamation
reads as follows:
Every nation in the world desires
to protect it's own rights and privi-
leges against the aggression of aliens,
but only those which have a good in
ternal administration can resist ag-
erosion with success. In 1894 and 1900
China went to war with foreign pow
Of our real strength we met on both
occasions with grave disasters. losing
great privileges and paying hundreds
Of millions in irdemnities.
THE heart of the people was then
aroused, and had we commenced re-
form with one accord we would have
been strong and powerful. But as soon
as the trouble was over. we INDUCED
again in all kinds of pleasures, forget
oil hun iot
being aware of the critical situation of
this country, have adopted a peaceful
policy with the hope that the founda-
ton of our nation may still be consoli-
dated. Yet all the time violent people
have started sedition and disturbance
in many places, ready to make them
selves tools of the enemy.
unfortunately the European war
broke out and the Chino-Japanese
question arose. For months the Min
istry of Foreign Affairs negotiated
with the Japanese minister in Picking,
and now the treaty has been signed.
With regard to the details of the ne
gotiation, the Ministry of Foreign At
fairs has already published report
Although there is hope for the restora-
ton Of Kiao-Chow bay, our rights and
privileges in Southern Manchuria have
suffered enormously. We are ashamed
of the humiliation; but why should we
blame others while we ourselves are
at fault? Our own weakness has in
vited the insult, and l feel that I am
a man Of little virtue and ability
However, we have no right to stake
nf hn
we have to work out her salvation with
care.
IF we can remember our past mis-
takes and be warned, and resolve to
leave the pernicious rut Of anguish
ing, then we can still hope for strong
China. The people should absolutely
refrain from letting loose their pas
sions and acting like mad men. Re-
member the mistakes of 1894 and 1900. y
Another example of this same sort
of frankness is found in an appeal for
certain reforms made to President Yu-
an Shi-kai by the National Censors.
This document entitled THE Saliva
ton of the Nation seems to voice the
opinion Of all the leading people OF
China, and is being widely printed and
circulated throughout the provinces
1t says, in part:
1.-THE citizens Of this country have
come to understand that imminent
danger threatens the existence Of this
nation. After the war at Tsingtau, the
Japanese demands came. For months
the Government carried on negotia-
tions with great care, and finally we
have accepted the demands. AS. the
cause can be traced to the accumulated
weakness Of the late regime, we dc
not intend to blame our diplomats fol
their failure. The demands are so cru.
ell and far-reaching that hereafter oul
country will be faced with extreme diff.
fculties and dangers all around her.
This country is passing through q
most difficult and critical period ant
we should not fold our hands and wal
for destruction to come. We shoult
work together with one accord and fol
the salvation of the nation. We offel
the following suggestions:
1.-THE military expenditure should b,