and liberty throughout the world depends upon whether the vision of the nations shall have been so clarified by the terrible lessons of these years that they can rise above small struggles for advantage in international affairs, and realize that correlative to each nation's individual right is that nation's duty to insist upon the observance of the principles of public right throughout the community of nations.

ELIHU ROOT.

THE NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN JAPAN AND CHINA IN 1915

One of the most far reaching events which may be said to have sprung indirectly from the European War, is the readjustment of the relations between Japan and China. The exact nature of this readjustment is but dimly understood in the United States, and its ultimate effects upon which is commonly called the Far Eastern Question, can be but vaguely foreseen at the present time. But the world will not fail to realize that these effects will be momentous. For this reason it is timely to trace the history of the "Japanese demands" upon China, to study the negotiations that followed and their results as embodied in the new treaties between the two Powers.

In attempting an impartial statement regarding this negotiation, it is impossible not to take cognizance of the fact that the demands of Japan for a radical modification of her treaty relations with China, followed within six months after the outbreak of the European War, and at a time when Japan's ally, Great Britain, was engrossed in that war, and unable to give close attention to Far Eastern matters. Under the terms of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance signed August 12, 1905, as modified July 13, 1911, the two governments are mutually bound to "the preservation of the common interests of all Powers in China by insuring the independence and integrity of the Chinese Empire, and the principle of equal opportunities for the commerce and industry of all nations in China." To what extent, if at all, that agreement may have to be disregarded in the new treaties, is a question certain to be raised when the European War shall have come to an end.

In the meanwhile, all the documents in relation to the negotiations justify the statement that the treaties were forced upon China against her protest and resistance; that they were accompanied by the dispatch of Japanese troops to strategic points in China, and the announcement that they would not be withdrawn until the negotiations were concluded; and that the demands, so far as they were acquiesced in, were accepted under duress. As originally presented, these demands would have es

tablished Japanese hegemony in the Far East. To what extent this situation has actually been brought about, can only be determined by future events.

In examining diplomatic negotiations between governments, especially in so complicated a case as those between Japan and China, it is important that the point of view of each shall be fully and fairly presented, so far as official statements make it possible to do so. The assertions, denials and counter assertions have been so many in this instance, that it seems proper to devote the necessary space to the statements of both nations.

The original Japanese demands were handed to the President of the Chinese Republic, Yuan-Shih-Kai, on January 18, 1915, by Mr. Eki Hioki, the Japanese Minister at Peking. This course was regarded by the Chinese Foreign Office as a departure from the ordinary methods of diplomatic negotiation; but the government waiving the informality, there ensued a series of conferences which continued from February 2 to April 7, twenty-four conferences being held. "Throughout this whole period the Chinese Government steadfastly strove to arrive at an amicable settlement and made every concession possible," says the official Chinese statement.

Of the twenty-one demands originally submitted by Japan, China agreed to fifteen, some in principle and some textually, six being initialed by both parties.

On April 18, the conferences were summarily suspended by Japan, whose Minister at Peking submitted a revised series of demands on April 26, whereupon the conferences were resumed and continued until May 7. On the latter date the Japanese Minister presented an ultimatum, accompanying a revised series of demands, seven in number, which concluded as follows-we use the Chinese translation:

The Imperial Government hereby again offer their advice and hope that the Chinese Government, upon this advice, will give a satisfactory reply by six o'clock p. m. on the ninth day of May. It is hereby declared that if no satisfactory reply is received before or at the specified time the Imperial Government will take such steps as they may deem necessary.

This ultimatum resulted in a prompt acceptance of the Japanese demands as finally revised, and the ratification of two treaties, under

date of May 25, 1915. These treaties are printed in the Supplement to this JOURNAL for January, 1915, and need not here be repeated. Shortly afterwards the Chinese Government made public what was called a "frank and plain statement" of the facts connected with the negotiations that had been thus abruptly terminated. Statements were likewise issued by Count Okuma, the Premier of Japan, and there were several interpellations in the Japanese Diet, to which Baron Kato, the Foreign Secretary, made reply. These documents and speeches are our main sources of information.

A full understanding of the purpose and the results of this protracted negotiation and these repeated modifications of the Japanese demands, can only be had by examining them together, and in connection with the treaties which followed. They should also be studied in connection with Baron Kato's instructions to Mr. Hioki, dated December 3, 1914, which we find in The Far Eastern Review for June, 1915:

In order to provide for the readjustment of affairs consequent on the Japan-German War and for the purpose of ensuring a lasting peace in the Far East by strengthening the position of the Empire, the Imperial Government have resolved to approach the Chinese Government with a view to conclude treaties and agreements mainly along the lines laid down in the first four Groups of the appended proposals. * * *

Believing it absolutely essential, for strengthening Japan's position in Eastern Asia as well as for preservation of the general interests of that region, to secure China's adherence to the foregoing proposals, the Imperial Government are determined to attain this end by all means within their power. You are, therefore, requested to use your best endeavor in the conduct of the negotiations, which are hereby placed in your hands.

As regards the proposals contained in the Fifth Group, they are presented as the wishes of the Imperial Government. The matters which are dealt with under this category are entirely different in character from those included in the first four Groups. An adjustment, at this time, of these matters, some of which have been pending between the two countries, being nevertheless highly desirable for the advancement of the friendly relations between Japan and China as well as for safeguarding their common interests, you are also requested to exercise your best efforts to have our wishes carried out.

It is very likely that in the course of these negotiations the Chinese Government will desire to find out the attitude of the Imperial Govern- . ment on the question of the disposition of the leased territory of Kiaochow Bay. If the Chinese Government will accept our proposals as

above stated, the Imperial Government may, with due regard to the principle of China's territorial integrity and in the interest of the friendship of the two countries, well consider the question with a view to restoring the said territory to China, in the event of Japan's being given free hand in the disposition thereof as the result of the coming peace conference between Japan and Germany. As, however, it will be necessary in restoring the said territory to China, to lay certain conditions such as the opening of the territory for foreign trade, establishment of a Japanese settlement, etc., you will ask for further instructions when you propose to declare to the Chinese Government the willingness of the Imperial Government to consider the question.

The original Japanese demands were arranged in five groups, covering related subjects. The first group dealt with the Province of Shantung, in which is situated the German fortress of Kiaochow, attacked and reduced by Japan in the earlier months of the European War. Its four clauses read as follows, attention being particularly called to the preamble:

GROUP ONE

The Governments of Japan and China being desirous of maintaining the peace of Eastern Asia and of further strengthening the friendly relations existing between the two neighboring nations, agree to the following articles:

1. The Chinese Government agrees that when the Japanese Government hereafter approaches the German Government for the transfer of all rights and privileges of whatsoever nature enjoyed by Germany in the Province of Shantung, whether secured by treaty or in any other manner, China shall give her full assent thereto.

2. The Chinese Government agrees that within the Province of Shantung and along its sea border, no territory or island or land of any name or nature shall be ceded or leased to any third Power. 3. The Chinese Government consents to Japan building a railway from Chefoo or Lungkow to join the Kiaochow-Tsinanfa Railway. 4. The Chinese Government agrees that for the sake of trade and for the residence of foreigners certain important places shall be speedily opened in the Province of Shantung as treaty ports, such necessary places to be jointly decided upon by the two governments by separate agreement.

At first the Chinese representatives maintained in the Conference that the subject of the first article related to the post bellum settlement, and should be left open for discussion by all parties interested in the