The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-05-15
CHINA YIELDED
UNDER THREATS
Japan Was About to Adopt
Drastic Measures. Pekin
Explains.
"OPEN DOOR" ASSURANCE

PERM, May IA statement was is
pued to-day by the Chinese Government
giving its version OF the events lead
ing up to the recent Japa nese ultimatum
and the attitude of China toward the
other Powers with regard to the aues-
tions involved. The statement says that
Chinas wishes were for the consolidation
OF the friendship existing between her
and Japan ard for the preservation Of
peace In the Far East. II continues:
Unexpectedly. on January Is. Japan
adopted the unusual course Of presenting
q list of twenty.one momentous demands.
arranged in FIVE groups. The hrst four
groups were each introduced by pre-
smbie. bu, there was no explanation OF
the Attn group. Respecting the charac-
ter OF the demands la this group, how
ever no difference was indicated In Inc
document between them and those EN-
bodied in the preceding groups
Although there was no cause FOR
such a demarche, the Chinese Govern
ment in Difference to the wishes or
the Japanese Government. Immediately
agreed to open negotiations on those
articles watch IL was possible Tor
China to consider. Despite the palpable-
ness of the whole OF the demands being
intended to extend the rights and IN
terests of Japan without securing
atlid pro quo OF any kind for China,
China approached the pending conference
in spirit of the utmost friendlinesr
and with the determination to deal
VII, all questions frankly and sincerely.
1T was hoped BY the Chinese Govern
ment that In view of the great eonces.
sions made by China AT conferences held
up to this time. the japanese would see
way OF effectiny an amicable settle
uent by modifying her position on GER
tain points in regard 10 which 1t had
become manifest China would encounter
almost insuperable obstacles TO making
further concessions.
The Japanese Government. however
suspended negotiations until April ~,
when they surprised the Chinese Gov
eminent by presenting new list oil
twenty-four demands and requested
that China accord their acceptance with.
out delay. adding that 1t was their hna
proposal At the same time the Japa'
nese Minister stated that Japan would
restore the leased territory OF kiao
chow at an opportune time in the future
II China agreed to the new liS OF de
mands withou; modification.
This Kiao-chow offer, however, wal
In no sense new proposal. rs II wal
advanced n the frst conference. bu
the new list introduced four nevs De
mands concerning inner Mongolia. II
Difference to til" wishes OF Japan th'
Chinese Government gave the revised
list the most careful consideration. an1
being sincerely DESTROYS OF an earl,
settlement offered new concessions in ;
reply presented on May !. agreeing u
three OF the four articles relating to IN
ner Mongolia.
Having made these concessions which
virtually brought the Views or CHM
into line with those OF Japan and ex
planned in a note accompanying the re
ply how difficult II was for China u
make further concessions. the Chimes
Government hoped Japan would accep
their reply, thus bringing the nefotla
tons to an amicah.e conclusion. Japan
however expressed dissatisfaction witt
China's reply withdrew the conditional
Offer to restore Kiao-chow and init
mated that II China did not give full
compliance with the twenty-iour de
mands Japan would nave recourse Z
drastic measures.
Upon receiving THE lntimation China
inspired by concliatory spirit and de
sirous OF avoiding a rupture In the re
latiors between the two countries. mad
a supreme EFFORT TO meet the sltuatI or
She represented 20 Japan she would re
consider her position and make anotne
attempt to find solution sPtisfactor
TO Japan with respect to the article
China had declared could not he take
up for consideration but 10 which Japa
attached Importance. Even OF the eve
ming OF May s, after the japanese Min
lster had notified China the ultimatur
had arrived In Pekin. China, in III
interests of peace. still exer,ed effort
to save the situation by Offering to NEE
Japan's wishes. Her overtures aeai
were rejected. and thus was exhauste
the means NJ the disposal OF China
prevent an impasse.
AS to the allegations in the ultima
tum against China. the Chinese Govern
ment hopes the foregoing outline of IN
negotiations constitutes "A clear and di'
passionate reply. In considering IN
nature of the course they should kak
with reference to the ultimatum, Chin
was influenced by a desire to preser,
the Chinese people AS well as the lars
number of foreign residents in China.
CHINA was compelled TO comply
full with the terms OF the ultimatun
but in complying China disclalms an
desire to associate itself with any r,
vision which thus may be effected upc
the various conventions and agreemen
concluded between various other Power
In respect to the maintenance OF China
territorial independence and integrit
the preservation OF the status quo ar
the principle OF equal opportunity
commerce and industry for all natioi
In China"