| JAPAN SECRETLY PRESENTED THE TWENTY-ONE DEMANDS to China. An ultimatum extracted from the Yuan government (May 8) modified acceptance of the first four groups: (1) Japanese succession to German rights in Shandong; (2) extension to 99 years of the leases in southern Manchuria, with commercial freedom for Japanese there; (3) a half interest in the Hanyeping Co., which operated iron and steel mills at Hanyang, iron mines at Daye, and a colliery at Pingshan; and (4) a declaration that no part of China's coast be leased or ceded to any power. The fifth group, calling notably for Japanese police and advisers in the political, financial, and military affairs of China, and railway concessions in the Yangzi River valley (Great Britain's sphere of interest), was set aside. When news of these demands leaked out, widespread anti-Japanese boycotts and rallies erupted. | 1 |
| Yuan Shikai, following a well-orchestrated monarchist campaign by the Chouan hui (Plan for Peace Association, Aug. 14), and election by a hand-picked “representative assembly,” accepted the imperial institution (Dec. 12) for the following Jan. 1, and adopted the reign title of Hongxian. He was immediately faced by a rebellion in Yunnan (Dec. 25) led by Cai E (1883–1916), declaring Yunnan's secession, followed by Guizhou (Jan. 1916) and Guangxi (March 1916). | 2 |
