Office of the Historian

File No. 793.94/219.

[Untitled]

American Legation,
Peking, February 1, 1915—8 p.m.

More precise information now obtained in reference to the Japanese demands indicates that the fragmentary advices contained in my telegrams January 23–29, though subject to correction in detail were nevertheless substantially accurate. The following are now known to be among the most significant of the specific demands:

  • First. That the Chinese must undertake “to permit the joint organization of Chinese police force in important places or to engage a large number of Japanese to assist in police matters.”
  • Second. That half of the arms required by China must be purchased in Japan or in the alternative that joint Sino-Japanese arsenals must be established for the manufacture of arms.
  • Third. That “educational, political, financial and military advisers” must be engaged from among Japanese subjects.
  • Fourth. That all mining rights in Manchuria and Inner Mongolia are to be given to Japan.
  • Fifth. That Han-yeh-ping Iron and Coal Company is to be organized as a joint Chinese and Japanese company, and that the Chinese Government must “engage not to permit foreigners to operate mines in the neighborhood of the company’s mines nor to allow any enterprise which might affect the company’s interests directly or indirectly without the consent of Tokyo.”

It is announced here that comment in the Japanese press has been prohibited. Reuter despatches from Tokyo, quoting the highest authority, describe the demands as overtures which violate no treaty and contemplate no infringement upon China’s territory; but they evade the question of administrative integrity. The local Reuter correspondent has refused to transmit to England a dementi which the Japanese Minister asked him to telegraph as based upon the highest authority but for which he declined to permit the Japanese Legation to be quoted. Japanese Minister has also protested against inaccuracies in the report telegraphed by the acting correspondent [Page 82] of the Associated Press but has refused to specify any of the inaccuracies complained of and it is believed that a similar protest has been lodged with the management of the Associated Press.

Reinsch.