The Washington times., 1915-06-20
CHINESE YIELD.
UPON BLUSTER
OF JAPANESE
Fifty Centuries Of Philosophy Of
Non-Resistance Give Way to
MiIitarism.
By OSCAR KING DAVIS.

foreign affairs at the conference at the
foreign office on May /. when he sub
mitted the formal reply of the Chinese
to the Japanese revised list of demands.
furnishes an interesting commentary
on the Chinese conduct of the whole
proceeding.
Chinese sensibilities have been badly
bruised by the Japanese performances
during the negotiations. The Chinese
are not clustering, rough-house peo-
pie, as the Japanese are. They are fond
of ceremonial politeness and sauvity,
and they do not enjoy swashbuckling
and turbulence.
But the Japanese have conceived it to
be part of wisdom for them to play the
swashbuckler all through the negotia-
tions. in order to impress the timid Chi
nece with a due sense OF their own help
lessness and of Japanese readiness and
ability to deal roughly when the occa-
sion arises.
Insult On Injury.
It was q good enough game from the
Japanese point of view, and undoubtedly
1t had its effect. That has been ap-
parent for a long time. But 1t surely
did hurt the feelings Of the Chinese.
Moreover, the Japanese negotiators
heaped insult upon previous injury in
the presentation of the revised demands
not only by coolly asserting that Mr.. Lu
had made concessions in the fifth group
which he had not made, but by accus-
ing the Chinese of a lack of sincerity
and frankness in handling the negot1a-
tions. and Of purposely delaying mat
ters.
Mr.. Hioki has been especially indig-
nant over what he has termed the cam
paisn of publicity maintained by the
Chinese.
That is another bluff of the Japanese.
and a good one. For it has prevented
tho Chinese from using the only weapon
they had. In the absence Of support
from any foreign government the only
means open to the Chinese to secure
foreign interest was to let foreigners
know what was going on here.
The statement of Minister Lu ran
perfectly true to Chinese form. His
performance was exactly what might
fifty centuries Of the philosophy Of pas
sive resistance.
And that is at the heart of the whole
matter. A people which has taught and
practiced that philosophy for four or
five thousand years has no business at
all getting into any sort Of an encounter
with a people that for their whole ma
tional lifetime have taught thought.
and practiced nothing but miltarism
and hero worship. That is why the
speech of Mr.. Lu is so informative on
the general situation. This is what he
said:
Grave Consideration.
The list of demands which the Jap
anese government first presented to
the Chinese government consists or
tung. the second relating to South Man
churia and eastern inner Mongolia. the
third relating to the Hanyephing
company, the first asking for nom
alienation of the coast of the country
and the fifth relating to the questions
Of national advisers. national police
national arms, missionary propaganda
Yngtse valley railways. and Fukien
province.
out Of profound regard for the in
tentions entertained by Japan, the
mentous demands into grave and care
full consideration. and decided to nego-
tiate with the Japanese government
frankly and sincerely what were pos
sible to negotiate. This Is a manires-
tation to Japan of the most profound
regard which the Chinese government
entertains for the relations between the
two nations.
Ever since the opening of the nego-
tiations China has been doing her best
TO hasten their progress, holding as
many as three conferences a week.
AS regards the articles in the second
group. the Chinese government. being
disposed to allow the japanese govern
ment to develop the economic relations
Of the two countries in south Man
churia, realizing that the Japanese
government attaches Importance to its
interests In that region. and wishing 70
meet the hopes of Japan. made a pail
full effort. without hesitation, to agree
to the extension OF the twenty-five year
lease of Port Arthur and Dalny. the
Manchurian railway. and the fifteen
year period of the Antung -Mukden rail-
way all to ninety-nine years; and to
abandon its own cherished hopes to re-
gain control of these places and proper
ties at the expiration of their respective
terms Of lease
at cannot but be admitted that this is
a most genuine proof OF China's friend
ship for japan. As to the right OF
opening mines in south Manchuria. the
Chinese government has already agreed
TO permit JaDanese to worIr mines With
In the mining areas designated by
Japan.
Right of Preference.
"China has further agreed to give
Japan right OF preference in the event
Of borrowing foreign capital for build
Ing railways. or of making a loan on
the security or local taxes in south Man.
churia. The question Of revising the
arrangement for the Kirin- -Changchun
railway has been settled in accordance
with the proposal made by Japan.
THE Chinese government has further
agreed to employ Japanese first in the
event of employing foreign advisers or
political, military. financial. and police
matters.
Furthermore, the provision about the
repurchase period in the South Man.
Churian railway was not mentioned n
Japan's original proposal. Subsequently
the Japanese government, alleging that
its meaning was not clear, asked China
to cancel the provision altogether.
Again, Japan at first demanded the
right of Japanese to carry on farming
in south Manchuria, but subsequently
she considered the word farming was
not broad enough. and asked to replac,
II with the phrase agricultural enter
prises'
ITO these requests the Chinese gov.
eminent, though well aware that the
I proposed changes could only benefit
Japan, still acceded without delay. This
too, Is n proof Of China's frankness and
sincerity toward Japan.
"As regards matters relating to Shan
tung the Chinese government has agreed
to a majority OF the demands.
THE question of inland residence iT