Rock Island Argus., 1916-06-02

PukOW railroad, owing to destruction
of the tracks. Several houses in the
city were destroyed by fire. Many
families fled from the city. which is the
capital of Shan-tung province.
Reports from Weihaien on the Shan
.tung railroad declared that force of
about one thousand revolutionists had
attacked the city and destroyed the
South Gate. The government troops
defended the place with machine guns,
which were mounted on the ramparts.
The rebels were forced to retire. They
have cut many telegraph wires. Their
object is to force Shan-tung province
to declare itself against the govern
ment of President Yuan Shi-kai.
An apparently inspired statement
published here affirms that Japan has
no intention of interfering in the in
ternal affairs of China and will not go
beyond protecting her interests should
the present state of revolution prove a
menace. But the statement declares
that the Japanese government is TAX
ing every precaution against the work
of anti-Japanese mischief-makers in
China. 1t continues by charging that
there are among Chinese politicians
many who are prejudiced against
Japan and that they are now being as
sisted by the Germans in China
"A number of newspapers in China
are known to be under German infiu-
ence,' the statement continues, "and
since the new Premier General Tuan
came into power the Germans are be-
lieved to have been afforded a great
deal of facility in carrying on their in
trigues against Japan and Japan's al
| lies"
| The statement says that Japan is
| taking every precaution to prevent the
belief among the Chinese authorities
that Japan is opposed to President
Yuan Shi-kai and his government, but
admits that Japan has been placed in
delicate position since the opposi-
ton to the Peking government was
started in the south. Moreover, the at
titude OF President Yuan and his gov
ernment has. it is declared, been far
from that calculated to encourage the
| friendly relations between China and
Japan which were necessary to the
permanent peace of the far east Japan
| had been suspected and mistrusted
and it was felt by those interested in
| Chinas politics that had President
Yuan been more friendly, the council
| of the joint interests in China in CO.
! operation with Japan might have saw
ed China from its present chaos, says
| the statement; meanwhile, present
conditions were not at all promising
and delay in restoring peace and or
| der was fraught with serious danger
not only to China but also to the inter-
ests of the powers. The statement con-
cludes:
AT present the wisest policy for
Japan is thought to be found in SIM
ply watching developments. In what
ever direction her efforts may he eX-
erted it must be understood to be the
outcome of the fullest interest with
Great Britain and other friendly pow
ers interested in China"
In an interview. Yukis Ozaki, the
minister of justice, declares that the
| fundamental policy of Japans atti-
tude toward China is the maintenance
| of the permanent tranquility in the
Orient. IF the Chinese understood us
perfectly" he is quoted as saying, and
wish for further cordiality and if the
head of the Chinese republic TO man
who faithfully presents the national
hopes and inspirations. il is immater-
ial to Japan whether he be Yuan Shi-
kai or anybody else Japan certainly
will extend the hand of friendship &c
China and cooperate for the peace OF
1.-THE Orient. Should Presiden,
Yuan realize the benefit of relying up-