File No. 793.94/335.
[Untitled]
Peking, May 7, 1915—7 p.m.
Japanese Minister this afternoon handed to the Minister of Foreign Affairs an ultimatum in the form of a further revised set of demands to be accepted categorically by 6 p.m., May 9. It is surprising that these demands were presented in the form of an ultimatum, being in fact almost identical with those conceded by China as reported in my telegram of May 3, 4 p.m.,48 and on the surface less exigent than those which this Government informally offered to concede yesterday as reported in my telegram May 6, midnight. All the articles of Group V of the original demands except the omissions [Sic: one?] relating to Fukien are now marked “discussion postponed” which at any rate temporarily removes them from the discussion although somewhat ominously putting them on record as outstanding questions. I am informed that other modifications in the demands as presented April 26 are unimportant.
- See also Mr. Reinsch’s April 27, 8 p.m.↩