JAPAN AND CHINA.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XL, Issue 12539, 10 May 1915, Page 3

JAPAN AND CHINA.

PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT PKOBABLE. JAPANESE FLEET SAILS. [By Electric Telegraph—CopraiaHT.] Per Press Association. Received May 9, at 10.30 a.m. London. May 8. The Morning Post's correspondent at Shanghai states that Japan delayed presenting the ultimatum owing to British mediation. Received May 9. at 10.15 a.m. London, May 8. Renter states that the demands winch China is still resisting are known as "Group five," which includes the questions or advisors, arms, laudownership, cessions in Southern China; also the questions relating to Fukien. These have been the main obstacle in settlement throughout. Japan now offers to withdraw Group five, except the question relating to Fukien, reserving them for future friendly discussions.

Router adds that a compromise had previously been reached regarding Fukien before the deadlock developed. Received May 10, at at 0.5 a.m. ' " Peking, -May 9.

The ultimatum was accompanied by an explanatory note, in which Japan further modified her demands and repeated the offer to retrocede Kiaehau and the conditions previously offered. Japan now asks for a long lease, of land in South Manchuria, and also for permission to undertake agricultural enterprises in eastern and inner. Manchuria. She insists on a settlement of the Vangtse railway and' Fukien demands.

Tokio, May 9. The fleet is active and the second squadron has left Sasebo for an unknown destination.

Sydney, May 9. Speaking at the annual dinner of the Granville Brotherhood., the Japanese Consul said he desired to remove the wrong impression created by the inaccurate reports of the Japan-China crisis. Negotiations were, he said, naturally confidential, and could not be published from the housetops, but everything was square and aboveboard. It was unjust to say that Japan was adopting similar tactics as those adopted" by Austria towards Servia. Japan was anxious.for a peace conference. Received May 10. at 8.50 a.m. London, May 9. (Official.) China lias accepted Japan's demand. REASSURING ADVICE. (Per Press Association- ) Wellington, May 9. A AYellmgton firm interested in Far East commerce cabled to their agents at Tokio on Friday, inquiring whether the outlook in regard to China, was serious enough to affect trade. Reply was received last night stating that there is no possibility of war, and that since Wednesday matters had taken a most reassuring turn. The cable added: — "Not the slightest anxiety need be felt in commercial circles."