Evening star., 1915-05-14
Japan Suspends Negotiations.

After a long explanation of the
consideration accorded the original de-
mands and the concessions made in an
effort to placate the Japanese the state
ment says:
THE foregoing Is an outlining of the
negotiations up to April Ia. The Japa-
nese government suspended negotia-
tions until April 26, when it surprised
the Chinese government by presenting
new list of twentyfour demands and
requested that China accord their ac-
ceptance without delay, adding that II
was the final proposal. The new list
introduced four new demands concern
ing inner Mongolia. In Difference to
the wishes of Japan the Chinese gov
ernment May l agreed to three of the
four articles relating to inner Mon
golia.
Japan, however, expressed dissatis-
faction. and intimated that if China
did not give full compliance with the
twenty-four demands Japan would have
recourse to drastic measures.
Upon receiving this intimation
China. inspired by a concliatory spirit
and desirous of avoiding a rupture in
the relations between the two coun-
tries, made supreme effort to meet
the situation. Even on the evening of
May 6, after the japanese minister had
notified China the ultimateum had ar
rived in Peking. China, in the interests
of peace. still eXerted efforts to save
the situation by offering to meet ia
pans wishes. Her oyertures again Were
rejected and thus was exhausted the
means at the disposal of China to pre-
vent an impaSSe.
Tried to Protect Powers.
1T is plain China proceeded to the
fullest extent possible in making con-
cessions in view of the strong national
sentiment manifested by the people
Throughout the whole period of nego-
tiations all the Chinese government
strove to maintain was China's plenary
sovereignty, the treaty rights of for
eign powers and the principles of equal
opportunity. To the profound regret of
China. however, the tremendous sac
riffces they had shown themselves ready
to make proved unavailing and the ul-
timatum was delivered by the Japanese
minister at 3 pm. on May Z.
AS to the allegations in the ultima
tum against China, the Chinese govern
ment hopes the foregoing outline of the
negotiations constitutes a clear and
dispassionate reply In considering the
nature of the course it should take
with reference to the u1timatum, China
was influenced by desire to preserve
the Chinese people we'll as the large
number of foreign residents in China
from unnecessary suffering and also
prevent the interests of friendly powers
from DelnS lmperIlled.
China was compelled to comply in
fuli with the terms of the ultimatum
put IN complying China disclaims any
desire TO associate itself with any re-
vision which thus may be effected upon
the various conventions and agree
ments concluded between various other
powers In respect to the maintenance
OF Chlnas territorial independence and
integrity. the preservation of the stat
US quo and the principle of equal op-
portunltF pc, IN commerce and industry for
all nations in China"
Why Japan Compromised.
TOXIC, Japan, Friday. Nav I INV
mall to Shanghai. May 13)-Informa-
ton has reached the Associated Press
concerning the manner in which A
peaceful adjustment of the differences
between Japan and China was reached
at a time when rupture seemed prob
able. The elder statesmen advocated
strongly policy of moderation. and
their views finally prevailed The de-
mands of Japan were modified and
China's acceptance followed
The action taken by Japan represent
ed compromise. The elder statesmen
urged. instead of the presentation of
an ultimatum to China, the sending of
a special mission to President Yuan
Shi kai in an effort to persuade him to
accede to Japan's wishes. This plan
was abandoned. however, in view of
the aroused state of public feeling
The cabinet held the view that pub
lie opinion demanded drastic action.
The elder statesmen, however, felt that
to send an ultimatum dema ndng ac-
ceptance of Japan's demands in full
would involve q greater hazard than
the government was justified in assum-
ing. Marquis Matsuketa, former prem
ier. and Field Marshal Prince Yama-
gaia, of the military council of the
empire, questioned the advisability of
risking a war with China at a time
when most of the world was in arms
and Japans finances were not in a
condition to warrant a military adven-
ture whose limits and outcome could