JAPAN’S ORIGINAL TWENTY-ONE DEMANDS
Translations of Documents
Handed to the President, Yuan Shih-kai, by
Mr. Hioki, the Japanese Minister,
on January 18th, 1915.
GROUP I
The Japanese Government and the Chinese Government being desirous of maintaining the general peace in Eastern Asia and further strengthening the friendly relations and good neighbourhood existing between the two nations agree to the following articles:—
Article 1. The Chinese Government engages to give full assent to all matters upon which the Japanese Government may hereafter agree with the German Government relating to the disposition of all rights, interests and concessions, which Germany, by virtue of treaties or otherwise, possesses in relation to the Province of Shantung.
Article 2. The Chinese
Government engages that within the Province
of Shantung and along its
coast no territory or island will be ceded
or leased to a third Power
under any pretext.
Article 3. The Chinese
Government consents to Japan’s building a
railway from Chefoo or Lungkow
to join the Kiaochou-Tsinanfu
railway.
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 enjoyed 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 99 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.