Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-04-09
THE US. NOTE
TOJAPANAND
REPLY MADE
Chinese Government
Receives Outline

Pekin, April S.-The Chinese gov
eminent received today an outline Of
the note Of the United States govern
ment TO Japan concerning the de-
mands made upon China by Japan, and
Of the reply Of the japanese govern
ment. II is said this reply was made
on March - by Takaaki kato Japa-
nese minister Of foreign affairs.
Japans Replies
The Chinese reporJ says that tn"
American note covered 20 pages and
specifically asked five questions.
These questions and the replies Of
Japan thereto are set forth as fol-
lows
The United States inquired con-
corning Japaus demand thai. IN the
province OF Fukien, Japan shall have
the right 10 work mines, build rail-
roads ana construct harbor works and
that IN case of the employment OF for
elCn capital Japan shall be first con-
suited, The Japanese government re
piled that these concessions We're &c
sired for the primary purpose OF pre-
venting other nationals from acQuII-
ing special rights there, Japan under
standing that Americans wish TO build
dcck@&rds III The harbor at Suntuao.
This position IS OF great strategic I'M
portance, il was pointed out. on &C
count Of the possibility Of its use for
directing operations against tormosa
IL case OF war.
The second question concerned the
Japanese demand for supervision over
the manufacture or purchase OF war
munitions by China. The japanese
government expressed the opinion thai
tins question could be solved more
satisfactorily by the employment OF
mixed forces Of japanese and Chi
nese: q system which, Japan says, al
ready exists.
The third question dealt with the
Japanese demand that the Chinese po-
lice III certain places be administered
Jointly with Japan md Chinese off,
Gals but China shall employ numer-
Gus Japanese 10 organize the Chlnese
police TIL. Japanese government re
Piled that this demand applied only
10 southern Manchuria.
THE fourth question concerned the
demand Tor employment by China G
japanese political advisers Japan
replied that political advisers would
not be imposed on China, but merely
recommended.
The fifth question related TO the
demand which Japan was said TO have
made that no island, port or harbof
along the coast shall be ceded or
leased TO any third power The Jap
anese government replied that this
proposed restriction would apply to
Japan as we'll as TO other powers
The Chinese government, it is said, has
been informed that if the American gov
eminent pledges itself not TO construct a
naval docilyard al Santuao the Japanese
will forego their demand for special priv
ileges in Fullien. probably excepting the
building Of railroads. Ii has been learned
that agents Of an American steel compa
ny visited Santuao two years ago at the
request of the government considered the
project of q naval base there but even a
preliminary contract was not signed.
The American steel company still holds
contract with China aEgrccating $50,
coo, 900 for underlined naval construction,
under which only one gunboat has been
specified UP to the present. This contract
was awarded by the Manchu government.
The Republican government evidently de-
sire the Santuao proiec- TO absorb the re
mainder Of the s.o000 600. but the compa-
ny expressed dissatisfaction.
Regarding the reply Of Japan to the
second question Of the United States it is
denied III well-informed quarters that a
mixed system exists in the arsenal. Il
is added that the replies to the third
fourth and fifth questions are contrary
to the text Of Japan's demands. but that
Japan already has given the Chinese to
understand that she would modify these
demands