Accept, Excellency, the renewed assurance of my highest consideration. His Excellency BARON KOGORA TAKAHIRA, Japanese Ambassador. ELIHU ROOT. M THE PREMIER OF JAPAN TO THE A Message from Count Okuma.' I gladly seize the opportunity to send, through the medium of The Independent, a message to the people of the United States, who have always been helpful and loyal friends of Japan. It is my desire to convince your people of the sincerity of my Government and of my people in all their utterances and assurances connected with the present regrettable situation in Europe and the Far East. Every sense of loyalty and honour oblige Japan to coöperate with Great Britain to clear from these waters the enemies who in the past, the present and the future menace her interests, her trade, her shipping and her people's lives. This Far Eastern situation is not of our seeking. 'Published in The Independent (New York), August 31, 1914. It was ever my desire to maintain peace as will be amply proved; as President of the Peace Society of Japan I have consistently so endeavoured. I have read with admiration the lofty message of President Wilson to his people on the subject of neutrality. We, of Japan, are appreciative of the spirit and motive that prompted the head of your great nation and we feel confident that his message will meet with a national response. As Premier of Japan I have stated and I now again state to the people of America and of the world that Japan has no ulterior motive, no desire to secure more territory, no thought of depriving China or any other peoples of anything which they now possess. My Government and my people have given their word and their pledge, which will be as honourably kept as Japan always keeps promises. Tokyo, August 24, 1914. N THE TWENTY-ONE DEMANDS Official translation of Document handed to President Yuan Shi Kai by Mr. Hioki, the Japanese Minister, on January 18, 1915. GROUP I The Japanese Government and the Chinese Government being desirous of maintaining the peace of Eastern Asia and of further strengthening the friendly relations existing between the two neighbouring nations, agree to the following Articles: Article 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. Article 2.-The Chinese Government agrees that within the Province of Shantung and along its sea border no territory or island of any name or nature shall be ceded or leased to any third Power. Article 3.-The Chinese Government consents to Japan's building a railway from Chefoo or Lungkou to join the Kiaochow-Tsinanfu Rail way. Article 4.-The Chinese Government engages, in the interest of trade and for the residence of foreigners, to open by herself as soon as possible certain important cities and towns in the Province of Shantung as commercial ports. What places shall be opened are to be jointly decided upon in a separate agreement. GROUP II The Japanese Government and the Chinese Government, since the Chinese Government has always acknowledged the special position en joyed by Japan in South Manchuria and Eastern Inner Mongolia, agree to the following articles: Article 1.-The two contracting parties mutually agree that the term of lease of Port Arthur and Dalny and the term of lease of the South Manchurian Railway and the Antung-Mukden Railway shall be extended to the period of ninety-nine years. Article 2.-Japanese subjects in South Manchuria and Eastern Inner Mongolia shall have the right to lease or own land required either for erecting suitable buildings for trade and manufacture or for farming. Article 3.-Japanese subjects shall be free to reside and travel in South Manchuria and Eastern Inner Mongolia and to engage in business and in manufacture of any kind whatsoever. Article 4.-The Chinese Government agrees to grant to Japanese subjects the right of opening the mines in South Manchuria and Eastern Mongolia. As regards what mines are to be opened, they shall be decided upon jointly. Article 5.-The Chinese Government agrees that in respect of the (two) cases mentioned herein below the Japanese Government's consent shall be first obtained before action is taken: (a) Whenever permission is granted to the subject of a third Power to build a railway or to make a loan with a third Power for the purpose of building a railway in South Manchuria and Eastern Inner Mongolia. (b) Whenever a loan is to be made with a third Power pledging the local taxes of South Manchuria and Eastern Inner Mongolia as security. Article 6.-The Chinese Government agrees that if the Chinese Government employs political, financial or military advisers or instructors in South Manchuria or Eastern Mongolia, the Japanese Government shall first be consulted. Article 7.-The Chinese Government agrees that the control and management of the KirinChangchun Railway shall be handed over to the Japanese Government for a term of ninety-nine years dating from the signing of this agreement. GROUP III The Japanese Government and the Chinese Government, seeing that Japanese financiers and the Hanyehping Company have close relations with each other at present and desiring that the common interests of the two nations shall be advanced, agree to the following articles: Article 1.-The two contracting parties mutually agree that when the opportune moment arrives the Hanyehping Company shall be made a joint concern of the two nations and they further agree that without the previous consent of Japan, China shall not by her own act dispose of the rights and property of whatsoever nature of the said company nor cause the said company to dispose freely of the same. Article 2.-The Chinese Government agrees that all mines in the neighbourhood of those |