The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-19
CHINA ID DELIVER
 DEMANDS MADE BY , JAPAN ID POWERS
American Officials Consid- ering Situation, But De- cline Comment-Bryan
 Is Silent

Washington, February 1S.--Chfna has Instructed her mfniters in the United states, Great Britain, France and Rus- sin to deliver to those powers memor- andum of the demands originally made by Japan for concessions and privileges in return for the restoration of the ter ritory of kiauchau to China.
 kai Flu Shah, the Chinese minister here has just presented the memorandum 10 the state department. This contains seven or eight more demands than those h the memorandum the Japanese for eign office on February 3, gave to for 'eisn diplomatic representatives. Officials of the American government were considering today directing an in- formal inquiry to the American ambas- sador and the minister at Picking to learn which of the two versions was the present basis of negotiations, but it was not believed this plan would be carried out because a voluntary explanation of the difference in the versions was ex- pected High officials here were disin- clined to discuss the demands, Secretary Bryan announcing that no opinion could be given at this time
 Denies Reports
 The secretary denied published reports that note had been sent to Japan and il was stated authoritatively late today that the American government since the beginning of the negotiations had made 10 representations and taken no diplo- matic steps beyond keeping itself in- formed alorg with the other powers.
 The belief prevailed in official quar- tsrs that inasmuch as the Chinese mem- orandum antedated considerably the l statement given the powers by Japan, , the latter document probably constituted tne present basis of negotiations and sig 'niiied either that the original demands were only tentative and orally made or that they had been abandoned by Ja- pan. ef
 The Japanese version published yester- day, confining Japan's requests to privi- leges and concessions in southern Man churia, inner Mongolia and Shantung, competent American observers believe, does not conflict with the two policies to which the United States has been committed-the principle of maintaining the integrity of China and the "open door, for commercial opportunity. As for the original version, now given out. by the Chinese government, there was a be- lief in some quarters that the Japanese also had asked for privileges in certain localities, as the provinces of Fukian and kiangs, with new railway concessions and control of mining works. Obligations requiring the consent of Japan before choosing political, financial or military advisers or the floating of loans were thought here too, to have referred only to these provinces and not to the re- public of China, although there are per- sistent reports that China as. a whole was affected by the first set of requests.
 Japanese Version -
 According to the Japanese version as given in Japan's memorandum to the powers, her demands restricted to the territory within her sphere of in- f1uence' in China.
 They are summarized as follows ! In Shantung: China is not to alfenate lsor lease to another power part of the tShantung or islands; also Japan is to build spur of railway from the main line back to Kiauchau, up to Chefoo. In Manchuria and Mongolia Lease of Athe railways acquired from Russia is to be extended; also four requests as to Apanese advisers. investment of capital,
 
 k Fukien: As this is the province on tiles mainland of China lying opposite tothe Japanese island of Forrnusa, China 1 is not to cede or lease any port or bay l in this locality. It was pointed out in some quarters today that it was to prevent ,1iscrim- | nation against foreigners in these very sp7tlcs of influAnce that the 'open door' l agreement between the powers was brought about by the United States.
 Hays Note
 Secretary Hays note to Japan on No- | vernber IS, 1899 said: Tt has seemed to this government 1 highly desirable that the various pow CTS claiining spheres of influence in Chlna | should give formal assurances: First, they will in no way interfere with any treaty rort or any vested interest with | in any so-called sphere of inte rest or | leased territory they may have in Cniln."l Two ether requests were that the pov- CTS should apply the Chinese customs tariff to such regions and that no higher harbor dutles or railroad charges should | be paid than by their own nationals in | these respective spheres. ,1apun's reply said: ''The imperial gov ernment wsll have no hesitation to give their assent to so just and fair a pro- posal of the United States
 Interest in the Japanese-C Chinese ncgo- tiatioEs is intense in official and dipl0- matic qual rers. An effort today by nep- resentative Hobson to obtain the adop- ton of a resolution asking for inf0:ma- lion from the state department was met by the comment from both Chairman Flood of the House foreign affairs com lnittee and Representative Mann. the re- publican leader that President Wilson should bt given a free hand in dealing with the situation. V