China & Japan

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 212, 15 February 1915, Page 5

China & Japan

JAPAN'S CLAIMS EXPLAINED. RUSSIA. SATISFIED: Received' 14; 5"- p.m. London-, February 14. Regarding Japan's reported far-reach-ing demands, China has officially explained that Japan is only asking- for an adjustment of old outstanding localities where Japan had special interests, and that it is untrue that Japan seeks to change China's political status. Japan asks that Clijinese stories emanating from Pekin should be received with caution, because tlley are the outcome or Gorman inspiration. Speaking in the Duma, M. Sazanoff (Foreign Minister) stated that Japan's demands were not contrary to Russia's interests.

A PEKIN VERSION. GERMAN INFLUENCE IN CHINA. Times and Sydney Sun Services. Received 14, 5.30 p.m. London, February 14. Pekin advices state that Japan lias made demands on China tantamount to asking China not to enter into territorial arrangements with any foreign Power without first consulting Japan, thus practically giving Japan control of the railways, rivers, and transports. The Times' correspondent' reports that the demands include exclusive mining rights in East Mongolia, the extension of the lease of Port Arthur to 99 years, and the transfer of all railway and mining privileges in Shantung, formerly held by Germans The Times understands that Japan's demands China were communicated in the course of January to Britain and France, Russia and America, The desire of Japan to place lier relations with China on a well-defined basis appears to have been prompted in the first instance by China's attitude under German influence at the beginning of the war.