746
CHINA
The 18 Provinces of
Area: English
Population
Capital
China Proper
square miles
(Estimated)
Hupeh .
71,410
21,260,000
Wuchang
Hunan .
83,380
20,580,000
Ch'angsha
Shensi .
75,270
6,725,000
Hsian
Kan<iu .
125,450
3,810,000
Lanchow
Szechwan
218,480
54,500,000
Ch'engtu
Kwangtung .
99,970
23,700,000
Canton
Kwangsi
77,200
5,425,000
Nan-ning (Kuei-lin)
Kweichow
67,160
9,265,000
Kuei-yang
Yunnan
146,680
8,053,000
Yunnan
Total ...
1,532,420
302,110,000
New Dominion : —
Hsinchiang Dependencies : —
Manchuria
Fengtien .
Kirin .
Heilungehiang .
550,340 363,610
1,367,600 . i 463,200
2,000,000
6,830,000 5,850,000 1,560,000
Hi
Mukden
Kirin
HeilungHsien(Tsitsihar)
12,740,000
Mongolia
Tibet .
1,800,000 2,000,000
Urgai Lhasa 2
Grand Total
3,913,560
320,650,000
1 The seat of the Bogdo Khan.
2 The seat of the Dalai Lama.
Estimates prepared by the Chinese Maritime Customs give the much larger total of 439,405,000, with 19,290,000 for Manchuria.
The Island of Formosa was ceded to Japan in accordance with the terms of the Treaty of Shimonoseki ratified and exchanged at Chefoo on the 8th of May, 1895. The formal transfer of the Island was effected on the 2nd of June, 1895.
In November, 1897, the Germans seized the coast of Kiaochow Bay in Shantung, and in March, 1898, compelled China to execute a 99 years' lease of the territory on both sides of the Bay together with a grant of railway, mining and other rights generally referred to as Germany's 'economic privi- leges' in Shantung. On the outbreak of war Japan delivered an ultimatum to Germany demanding the surrender of the leased territory of Kiaochow 'with a view to eventual restoration of the same to China.' Germany ignored this demand and Kiaochow was invaded by Japanese and British forces, and after a feeble resistance the German forces garrisoning the port of Tsingtao, which lies within the leased territory, capitulated on November 7, 1914. The Japanese assumed possession of all administrative authority previously exercised by the Germans in the leased territory, and, in spite of Chinese protest, seized the railway line connecting Tsingtao with Tsinan, the capital of the Province, guarded it with Japanese troops, and extended their authority to certain Chinese cities lying outside the leased territory. At the Peace Conference, Japan claimed to retain possession of the leased territory of Kiaochow and to succeed to all Germany's economic privileges in Shantung on the ground of conquest, whereas China asked the Confeience for a settlement which would secure her the direct restitution of the leased territory and the cancellation of Germany's economic privileges. Japan, however, obtained recognition of her claim in Articles 156-8 of the Treaty of
