The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-02-24
TWO NOTES DON'T AGREE.
MEMORANDA on JAPANESE DE-
MANDS HANDED POWERS
DIFFER MATERIALLY,
Chinese last the Longcr-Somc OBJ
servers Believe Nipon's Demands
Will not Conflict with U. :. Policies

Washington. Feb. 1S.-China has in
structed her ministers in the United
sttaes. Great Britain. France and
Russia TO deliver to those powers a
memorandum OF the demands origin
ally made by Japan for concessions
and privileges i'm return for the
restoration of the territory OF Kino-
Chow. in China.
Rai Fu shah. the Chinese minister
here. has just presented the memo
randum to the State department. This
contains even or eight more demands
than those in the memorandum the
Japanese foreign Office on February
gave to foreign diplomatic represen-
tatives.
officials of the American govern
ment were considering today direct
ing an informal inquiry to the Ameri-
can AMBASSADOR at TOXIC and the min
lister at Peki to learn which OF the
two versions was the present basis Of
negotiations. but 1t was not believed
this plan would be carried out. be-
cause n voluntary explanation of the
differences I'm the two versions was
expected. High officials here were
disinclined to discuss the demands.
Secretary Bryan denied published
reports that "a note had been sent TO
Japan and II was stated authoritative
ly that the American government
since the beginning of the negotiations
had made no representations and TAX
en- no diplomatic steps beyond Keep
ing itself informed along with the
other powers.
The belief prevailed In official quar-
ters that inasmuch as the Chinese
memorandum antedated considerably
the statement given the powers by
Japan. the latter document probably
constituted the present basis OF nego-
uations and signifed either that the
original demands were only tentative
or that they had been abandoned by
japan.
The japanese version published
yesterday conhning Japan's request
to privileges and concessions In
southern Manchuria, interchangeable
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 in
tegrity Of China and the "open door"
for commercial opportunity.
As for the original version. II Is re-
ported in some quarters that the
japanese also had asked for privileges
In certain localities. as the provinces
OF Fukian and Kiangsi. 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 provisions and not to
the Republic OF China.
According to the japanese version.
as given In Japans memorandum TO
the powers. her demands are restrict
ed TO the territory within her sphere
OF influence" in China.
They are summarized as follows:
In Shantung-China is not to alien
ate or lease TO another power part
OF the Shantung coast or islands: also
Japan is to build a spur of railway
from the main line back to Kiao- Chow
up to Chefoo.
In Manchuria and Mongolia-Lease
OF the railways acquired from Rus
STA ls to be extended; also four re-
quests as to japanese advisers. in
vestment OF capital. foreign conces-
sions. etc. In these regions.
In Fukien--As this Is the province
on the mainland of China. lying op-
posite to the japanese island of For
mosa. China Is not to cede or TO lease
any port or bay In this locality.
IL was pointed out In some quar-
ters today that II was To- prevent dis
elimination against foreigners i'm these
vers spheres OF Influence that the
open door" agreement between the
powers was brought about by the
United States.
Secretary Hays note To- Japan on
November IS. 1899. said: 1T has
seemed To this government highly de-
sirable that the various powers claim
Ing spheres OF influence in China
should give formal assurances: First.
they will In no way interfere with
any treaty port or any vested inter
est within any so-called sphere Of i'm
terest or leased territory they may
have I'm China"
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