Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-05-07

tdluCt ny lilC ClillCb ASSoSSo Will hCA-
erence to the Japanese-Chinese nego-
tiationc since they began nearly four
months ago was broken tonight by
the issuance of a statement by Secre-
tary Bryan explaining the position Of
the American government.
Tie statement was prepared earlier
in the day. after consultation by
President Wilson. While press reports
had told Of Japan's decision to send
an .ultimatum to China, no official in
formation had been received to con-
firm this tonight.
The American government in its
announcement, in effect, reiterates
it's adherence to the open door policy
and the maintenance of the territorial
integrity of China and points out
that there has been mo abatement of
its interest in the welfare and prog
ress of China"
THE sole interest" of the United
States is declared to be that the ne
eotiations between Japan and China
may be concluded in a manner sat
isfactory to both nations" and thus
contribute to 1.-The peace Of the
world.'
The statement was interpreted in
some quarters as meaning that while
no tender of good offices would be
made by the Washington government.
the services Of the United States were
at the disposal of both countries
should they desire the assistance of
any third power to bring about dip
lomatic settlement Of the questions at
issue.
Interviews Thursday
Viscount Chinda, the Japanese am
bassador. and Kai Flu Shah, the Chi
nese minister sought separate inter-
views with Mr.. Bryan late today, but
declined to discuss the object Of their
visits. While at the department it IS
believed they were shown copies Of
the statement of the American POSI-
ton occasioned by the critical situat
ton that has arisen in the Far East.
The Statement
The text Of the statement follows:
I'm order that there may be no mis-
understanding Of the position Of the
United States in reference to the ne
gotiations pending between Japan and
China the following announcement Is
made:
"At the beginning of negotiations the
Japanese government confidentially in
formed this government of the matters
which were under discussion and accom-
panied the information by the assurance
that Japan had no intention of interior
ing with either the political independence
or territorial integrity of China, and that
nothing that she proposed would discrim-
mate against other powers having trea-
ties with China, or interfere with the
''open door" policy to which all the lead
ing nations are committed.
This government has not only had no
though of surrendering any of it's treaty
rights with China, but it has never been
asked by either Japan or China to make
any surrender of these rights. There is
no abatement Of its interest in the well
fare and progress of China, and it's sole
interest in the present negotiations is
that they may be concluded in a man.
ner satisfactory to both nations, and that
the terms of the agreement will not only
contribute to the prosperity of both OF
these great Oriental empires. but main
tain that cordial relationship so essential
to the future of both and to the peace Of
the world
No remarks accompanied the statement
nor was there any further explanation of
the purpose OF it's issuance at this time.
Holds Treaty Rights
1t was noted in many quarters, how
ever, that the American government by
pointing out that it had no intention of
surrendering any of it's treaty rights with
China might be endeavoring to dissipate
the notion that has existed in some parts
of the Far East that the United States
would remain entirely passive with re-
spect to any treaties between the United
States and China which might be violated
by acceptance of some of the Japanese
demands.
Since the recent exchange Of notes be-
tween Japan and the United States, press
reports from Toxic have stated that the
United States was in accord with the
Japanese policy, and that China might
expect no moral assistance from the
United States. It was intimated in To-
kio dispatches published in Pekin and
here that the United States was satisfied
with the Japanese explanation of the de-
mands.
Silent About Notes
officials have declined to reveal what
was said in the notes sent to Japan or
China, or to comment on the Japanese
reply.
1t has been understood for some time.
however, that the United States thought
the way would be cleared by mutual con-
cessions and compromise to modification
Of the Japanese demands so that they
would not contravene the Root-Takahira
agreement for the "open door, in the
Far East or the treaties between the
United States and China giving this
country equal commercial treatment with
all other powers. The belief has pre-
vailed that the negotiations would end
satisfactorily and that the talk Of dras-
tic measures was merely circulated for
its influence on the Chinese plenipoten-
tiaries. There still was nothing to indi-
cate tonight that the United States gov
eminent has lost hope Of a friendly set.
Element.
It would not be surprising to well in
formed persons If President Yuan Shi
Kai appealed to the powers before an
swering the Japanese ultimatum. It
WAS reported here generally tonight that