The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-02-23
UNITED STATES
MAKES A MOVE
Sounds Powers Interested In
Maintaining Cblna's Integrity.
JAPANESE UNDER SUSPICION
Secret Negotiations Being Conducted
by Tokyo and Peking Engage the
Serious Attention Of the American
State Department - Congressman
Hobson Discusses His Resolution
Now Before the House.

State Department - Congressman
Hobson Discusses His Resolution
Now Before the House.
Washington, Feb. 10. - The secret
negotiations by Japan and China are
engaging the serious attention of the
state department. 1t was learned that
the United States government has
moved with a view TO securing con-
certed action by all the powers inter-
ested In the maintenance Of Chinese
integrity and the principles Of the
open door.
What will be the response to ;hese
suggestions by the United States is
not yet known. It is understood. how.
ever, that the chief reliance is at
present placed In Great Britain and
France, there being little nops that
Russia can be counted on to Join in
ouch concerted action. Even IN re.
spect to Great Britain and France it
40 lCoi GU that thO tlld1 lCldtlOuS VI
these governments to Japan in con-
nection with the war may Offset what
would be expected to be their natural
inclination in regard to affairs in
China, and that they may not feel dis
posed to attempt to exercise re-
straining influence upon Japan nc this
time. Until the state department has
received responses from these three
governments, however, there is little
likelihood of any action being taken
directly with Japan.
The strictest secrecy is still main
tanned at the state department as to
the details Of the proposals japan is
laying before China. 1t is explained
that there can be no statement made
officially on the subject as long as
this government is in the midst of
tentative discussions Of the subject
with other powers. Secrecy Is also
desired by the Japanese government,
which holds that 1t would embarrass
both herself and China II the negotia-
items were made public at this stage.
It is definitely understood that the
United States government contem-
plates no action whatsoever except as
IL may be necessary TO avert an i'm.
palrment OF the principles of the open
door in China.
I. Hobson's Resolution.
in the house a resolution relating to
Japan's demands upon China, saying
that the people of the United States
will look with grave concern on any
aggressive move on the part Of for
eign government against the intes rity
and sovereignty of China"
Speaking In regard to his resolu-
tion, Hobson said: Step by step, a
crisis has been created. The Chinese
government requested that the JAP
anese government. when the Germans
had been removed, would withdraw
her troops and abolish the war zone.
since no war further existed. The
Japanese responded by making fur
ther demands upon the Chinese gov
ernment, twenty-one in number Sc.
crecy was maintained with regard to
them. There was indication that ia.
pan had very serious designs on Chi
ma, and the Chinese government was
not permitted to give out ofiicially
what these demands were The Jap
anese government has been giving
out, at least in part, what these de-
mands were. and am convince that
they were given out only In part.
nave very good reason to believe that
what they gave out did not ineluds
those parts that went to the heart OF
the sovereignty of China and went to
the heart OF the open door policy"