Conditions of Withdrawal Peking, Nov. 21.
Mr. Obata, the Japanese Minister, on Friday afternoon handed a Memorandum to the Waichiaopu regarding China's reply to Japan's conditions as to the withdrawal of troops from the Chientao region. This Memorandum asked for details in connexion with the number of Chinese troops there, and the places where they were stationed, contending that it was essential for Tanan to have this knowledge before the withdrawal, as the outlaws might take advantage of the withdrawal of the Japanese to make further raids.
In_connexion with the flight of Mr, Hsu Shu-tseng, the Peking correspondent of the "Tenshin Nip-no," a, Japanese paper published in Tientsin, has interviewed Lieut-Colonel Kamada, Commandant of the Legation Guard, who is represented as station, As regards China's objection to Japan's claim to have the right of sending troops in the event of any future disturbances, Mr. Obata said he was unable to withdraw from the position taken up by Japan, but that the point might be left in reserve.—Reuter.
"The escape of Mr. Hsu from the Compound of the Guard came to me as a great surprise. On the night in question I was neither at the barracks nor at home, as I was invited out to. dinner. The next morning his disappearance was reported and I at once informed H. E. Mr. Obata of the fact. Tt is true that, in compliance with His Excellency's request, I gave shelter to the nine Anfu leaders in the barracks. But this was simply to protect them from their political enemies. They have never been actual prisoners with the result that it was simply beyond my power to suppress Mr. Hsu's determination to escape, if he really was determined to do so.
No Means or Prevention.
"TI was intent on guarding the refugees against the possible danger from outside, but if these men were determined to escape, it was in no way impossible for them to do so. A barrack is not a prison, and soldier have been even Known to desert. A commander of troops is not, therefore, held responsible for the desertion of his soldiers. Much less then can he be blamed in the case of the present refugees. The Legation Guard was only asked to give them shelter, so that if these men desired to leave, it was really impossible to prevent them doing so. I shall, of course, be open to the charge that I was more or less negligent,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.