That Weihsien railway station was occupied is admitted, and the Japanese Legation explains that it was necessary to take over the station in order properly to operate the railway between Weihsien and Tsingtao. They likewise contend that there was much ambiguity about the actual area of the extended zone. When conversations took place with the Chinese prior to the extension of the zone, the Japanese mentioned that it would be necessary for them to occupy the railway at Weihsien, and though the Chinese demurred at the time nothing wae specifically said in objection when the announcement was made of the extension of the zone. It is even stated as a fact that nothing regard. ing the extension of the zone was put down in writing, but that the announcement was verbal, the zone being described as to the east of Weihsien. This the Japanese, in view of their expressed wish, naturally took to mean the inclusion of Weihsien. If the Chinese understood that Weihsien was to be included in the zone it is difficult to understand why a protest should have been sent in by the Government, though the pressure being brought by the Populace, coupled with the great suspicion which it entertained by officials in Peking, may be responsible for any volte face of the Chinese in that respect.
A Delicate Mission, Notwithstanding the arguments advanced by the Japanese it is re-grottable that grounds should have been given for any uneasini the part of the Chinese. The anese fully realized
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.