The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-09-05
JAPAN IS MAKING
SECRET DEMANDS
ON THE CHINESE
Trouble Seems to Be Brew
ing in East and United
States Government Be-
coming Watchful

. Washington, September 4.-Secret de-
nands in addition to those published to-
day in dispatches from Picking, are being
pressed on China by Japan as result
of the recent clash of Chinese and jap
anese troops at Chengchatun 1t became
known here tonight that the situation is
much more serious than has been indl-
Gated, confidential reports saying the un-
published demands threaten the authority
of China over the whole of inner Mon
goia.
Officials here view the development
with real anxiety. fearing another China
Japan crisis which might involve the
interests of the United States Ine'
Chengchiatun incident, trivial in ITSELF
but coming on top of the strained re-
stions ever since Japan took over kiau-
chau from Germany, has been closely
watched since Japan FASTENED to send
2ooC soldiers to the disturbed district and
her cabinet announced that satisfac-
tory outcome depended on China Re-
ports from Picking show alarm there:
The prompt an unanimous acceptance Of
the new cabinet announced today is be-
lieved to have been result of the Sc
robustness of the Japanese and financial
problems.
PUBLISHED DEMANDS
Japan's demands published call tor
dismissal of Chinese officers in command
Of the troops at the scene of the trou-
ble withdrawal of the Chinese garrison
naturalization of the families OF the
Japanese killed, and extension of Japan
csc police rights to inner Mongolia. Ac-
tual accounts of the dispute vary. The
Chinese claim it arose when japanese
soldiers attacked the Chinese garrison at
Chengchiatun and seized both the local
magistrate and a Japanese merchant wHo
had refused to obey instructions by the
Chinese because bandits were operating
In the city The Japanese contend the
Chinese arrested the merchant Illegally
and fired on small body of Japanese
troops sent TO investigate. About 80 Chi
nese and II Japanese troops were killed.
The secret demands were believed here
to seek extension to inner Mongolia of
rights which already have been won i'll
south Manchuria. In both plaeese China
is forbidden under the treaty of May 8,
1916, to raise a foreign loan on local taxes
without Japans consent and forced to
consult Japan in case she cannot raise
money herself for the railroad there. Be-
yond that, however, the japanese in
south Manchuria have unlimited rights of
travel, residence, trade and leasing OF
land, together with the right of trial be-
fore a Japanese consul in civil and cr1mi-
nal cases where a Japanese is defendant,
the right of opening and operating speci-
fled mines, and preference in case foreign
advisers are sought in military, political,
1 police or financial matters.
AWAITING REPORT s0 ~
None of the demands as published in
fringes upon any right of the United
State officials think, but a 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 interference, it is pointed out,
Japan has practically a free hand in
China, as the European powers are too
fully occupied at home to devote much
attention to the far east
The report of secret demanGA recalled
to diplomats the famous q demands made
upon China by Japan on January 49, 1915,
the existence of which was denied for
several weeks. version containing all
demands finally was given out by the
japanese embassy in London, emitting
the vital group five On April 25 re-
vised list was published and on May 7
Japan sent a 4S-hour ultimatum which
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