Evening star., 1921-12-04
CONTINUED from First Page.)

that she would eventually return.
not as the former aggressive
power. but as a great democratic
nation. The misrule of Manchu
dynasty which had aggravated the
situation had also disappeared.
The very fact that this conference
was being held at Washington for
the purpose of arriving at mu-
tual understanding on the part Of
son for dispensing with the neces-
sity of maintaining the balance OF
power in the far east, which was
the principal ground of the origi-
nal claims of the different powers.
In the absence of that necessity
the Chinese delegation believed
that the time had come for the in
terested powers to relinQuish their
control over the territories leased
to them.
s Integrity Prejudfced-
The existence of such leased ter
ritories had greatly prejudiced
China's territorial and administra-.
tive integrity because they were
all situated upon the strategical
point along the Chinese territory.
These foreign leaseholds had be-
sides hampered work of national
defense by constituting in China a
virtual imperium in imperio. i. e.,
that is an empire within the same
empire. There was another reason
which the Chinese delegation de-
sired to point out. The shifting
conflict of interests of the different
lessee powers had involved China
more than once in complications of
their own. 1t would be sufficient
to refer here to the Russo-Japa-
nese war. which was caused by the
Russian occupation of Port Arthur
and Dalny. The Kiachow lease
hold brought upon the far east the
hostilities of the European war.
Furthermore, some Of these terri
tories were utilized with a view to
economic domination over the vast
adjoining regions as points d'appui
for developing spheres of interest
to the detriment of the principle
of equal opportunity for the COM
merce and industry of all nations
in China. In the interest of not
only China. but that of all nations,
especially for the peace of the far
east, the Chinese delegation asked
for the annulment and an early
termination OF these leases. But
pending their termination this
would be demilitarized, that is,
their Notifications dismantled and
the lessee nations to undertake
that they will not make use Of
their several leased areas for mill
tary purposes of any kind what
soever.
The Chinese delegation were.
however, fully conscious of the
obligations which would fall upon
them after the termination of the
leaseholds. The Chinese govern
II would be prepared to respect
and safeguard the legitimately
vested interests of the different
powers within those territories.
France Ready to Agree.
Mr.. viviani spoke for France, as
follows: After having taken note
of the request made by the Chi
nese delegation December /, 1921,
the French delegation states that
the government of the republic is
ready to join in the collective res
titution of territories leased to
understood that this principle
being once admitted, and all pri-
vate rights being safeguarded. the
conditions and time limits of the
restitution shall be determined by
agreement between the Chinese
government and each of the gov
ernments concerned.
MT. 6dnindra stated the posi-.
tion of Japan as follows:
The leased territories held by
Japan at present are Kiaochau
and Kwantung province, namely.
Port Arthur and Dairen. 1t is
characteristic of Japan's leased
territories that she obtained them.
not directly from China, but as sue
cessor to other powers at consid-
cradle sacrifice in men and treas
leasehold Of Kwantang province
with the express consent OF China,
and she succeeded Germany in the
leasehold of Kiaochau under the
treaty of Versailles.
Japan Hopes for Solution.
AS to Kiaochau, the Japanese
government has already. declared
on several occasions that 1t would
restore that leased territory to
China We are prepared to come
to an agreement with China on
this basis. In fact. there are now
going on conversations between
China regarding this question. in
itiated through the good offices OF
Mr.. Hughes and Mr.. Balfour, the
result Of which 1t is hoped will
be a happy solution OF the prob
lem. Therefore. the question OF
the leased territory OF k1aochau
is one which properly calls for
separate treatment.
The only leased territory. there
fore, which remains to be discuss
ed at the conference, so far as
Japan is concerned, is Kwantung
province. namely, Port Arthur and
Dairen. AS to that territory, the
japanese delegates desire to make
it clear that Japan has no fnten-
ton at present. to relinquish the
imuOrtant rights she has laWfullX