The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1916-09-08
i. 5. ALARMED BY
JAPAN'S DEMANDS
ULTIMATUM TO CHINA MIGHT
INVOLVE AMERICAN INTER-
ESTS BELIEF.
WATCH DEVELOPMENTS
Clash Between Oriental Troops At
Chengchiatun May Lead To
Serious Trouble.

Washington, Sept 4.-Secret de-
mands, in addition to those publish
ed today in dispatches from Picking,
are being pressed on China by Japan
as result of the recent clash of
Chinese and Japanese troops at
Chengchiatun. 1t became known
here tonight that the situation is
much more serious than has been in
| Dictated, confidential reports saying
the unpublished demands threaten
the authority of China over the
whole of inner Mongolia.
Officials here view the development
with real anxiety, fearing another
China-Japanese crisis which might in
volve the interests of the United
States. The Chengchiatun incident,
trivial in itself, but coming on top
of the strained relations ever since
japan took over Kiaochow from
Germany, has been closely watched
since japan fastened to send 1000
soldiers to the disturbed district and
the cabinet announced that salts
factory outcome depended on Chi
ma. Reports from Peking show
alarm here. The prompt and unan-
imous acceptance of. the new Cabinet
announced today is believed to have
been a result of the seriousness of
the Japanese and financial problems.
Japan's Demands.
Japan's demands, as published call
for dismissal of Chinese officers in
command of the troops at the scene
of the trouble, withdrawal of the
Chinese garrison, naturalization Of
the families of the Japanese killed.
and extension of japanese police
rights to inner Mongolia. Actual
accounts of the dispute vary.
The Chinese claim it arose when
japanese soldiers attacked the Chi
nese garrison at Chengchiatun and
seized both the local Magistrate and
a Japanese merchant who had refus-
ed to obey instructions issued by the
Chinese because bandits were operat-
ing in the city. The Japanese con-
tend the Chinese arrested the mer-
chant illegally and fired on small
body of Japanese troops sent to in
vestigate. About fifty Chinese and
seventeen Japanese were killed. 4
The secret demands are believed
here to seek extension to inner Mon
golia of rights which already have
been won in South Manchuria. In
both places China is forbidden under
the treaty of May s, 1915, to raise
foreign loan on local taxes without
Japan's consent, and forced to con-
suit Japan in case she can not raise
money herself for the railroads there.
Beyond that, however. the Japanese
in South Manchuria have unlimited
rights of travel, residence. trade and
leasing of land, together with the
right OF trial before Japanese con-
sui in civil and criminal cases where
a japanese is defendant, the right of
opening and operating specified
mines, and preference in case foreign
advisors are sought in military, po-
litical. police or financial matters.
United States Awaits Reports.
None Of the demands as published
infringes upon any right of the Unit
ed States, officials think, but report
on the secret negotiations will be
awaited with concern as they may
conflict with the open door policy and
the integrity of China. Except for
the possibility of American Interior
ence, it is pointed out, Japan prac-
tically has free hand in China, as
all the European powers are too full
ly occupied at home 10 devote much
attention to the Far East.
The report of secret demands re-
called to diplomats the famous TWEEN
ty-one demands made upon China by
Japan on January IS, 1915. the exis-
tence of which was denied for sever
al weeks. A version containing all
demands later was given out by the
Japanese Embassy in London, omit
ting the vital group Ave. On April
20. revised list was published. and
ON May 7. Japan sent forty-eight-
hour ultimatum which was acceded
10 the next day.