File No. 793.94/248.
Ambassador Guthrie to the Secretary of State.
Tokyo, March 11, 1915—7 p.m.
Papers report that troops to relieve garrison at Tsingtau have been ordered to proceed to that port and that those to relieve garrisons at Tientsin and in Manchuria and Chosen will be sent in a few days. Relief is ordinarily made in June. Papers say that troops now on duty have not been, and for present will not be, withdrawn and consequently force will be doubled. Some say this is intended to coerce China; others that it is to be ready for possible disturbances. Cannot secure either confirmation or denial. Election takes place on 25th.