Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-11-24
British and Chinese
Delegates Clash Over
Four General Principles


lens that are troubling the Far East
led today to the first sharp clash Of
opinions in the arms conference.
A British view of the concrete ap-
plication of the four general prin-
ciples already adopted met with a
prompt challenge from the Chinese
and the Chinese delegates themselves
were pointedly asked by the French
to show by what authority they pre-
sumed to speak for all of China over
the protests of the South China gov
eminent at Canton.
Strangely enough the Japanese,
who had been the first to raise OBJ
jections to the consideration of de-
tails of the Far East came forward
with suggestion that they would
not oppose an examination of their
famous 'twenty-one demands" treaty
with China to ascertain whether 1t
conflicts with the "open door"
Although the action Of the French
in questioning the credentials of the
Chinese caused a momentary furry
in the meeting of the nine deleGa-
tions, the divergence of opinion be-
tween the Chinese and British over
application of the four principles of
the Root resolution attracted widest
attention because of its possible ef-
feet on future negotiations. Shoul1
the Britir'' --'---- -~~o--aiI. declared the
tionalization Of Chinese economic re-
sources.
The French objection was inter-
posed when the Chinese presented at
today's meeting, plan by which
China would regain tariff autonomy
by a gradual change from the pres
ent foreign control. The Chinese re-
piled to the challenge that they We're
representing the only government in
were attempting to help rather than
complicate the negotiations by fur
nishing whatever information they
could.
The difference of view between the
British and Chinese developed when
British spokesman explained to
ncwspa permen that his government
regarded the four accepted princi-
pies as meaning acceptance by China
of a financial consortiun. pooling Of
the opera ton of railroad concessions
held by the powers and continued
supervision of Chira's customs. The
Root resolution. according to British
viewpoint, we're adopted with ac-
ceptance by China of these princi
plies in view by the signatory powers.
The Chinese quickly sent out word
that they had agreed to no such pro-
gram. According 10 the Chinese
view. the Root resolutions apply to
the open door" as embodied in the
policy defined by John Hay. waving
of special rights and privileges, I'M
hampered political and economic de-
velopment of China and assurance of
her territorial, political and admin
istrative integrity.
Notwithstanding these cross cur
rents. tie committee considering the
Far Eastern situation, with special
reference at the moment TO China $
financial affairs, made progress toward
a solution of her customs problem by
the appointment of a Subcommittee to
study the question.
Any attempt at the conference to at
tack the validity of Japan's 1915 treaty
with China. often called the 81 de-
mands, would be opposed by Japan. t
was said today in responsible circles.
but Japan would not oppose an exam
nation of the treaty. which would be
based on allegations that the agree
mont iS in or wifi Ea l.,
of the open door or equal opportunity
in China. In other words, it was init
mated that Japan would be ready To
discuss any charge that the equal
rights of other nations were being ir-
terfered with under the 1915 agree
ment.
Apparently Japanese deem the
most vital clause of that treaty tina t
under which the lease of the South
Manchuriam railway and the An
tung- Mukden railway shall be extend =
ed 80 years and the lease of Port
Arthur and Dalny Dairen) a similar
period. The Kwangtung leased ter
riotry, in which these concessions are
included. was one of the fruits of the
war with Russia and Japanese
spokesman insist that Japan will
never consent to any change or abro-
cation in the lease of this TERRITORY.
which they are included to rega I'd
as practically perpetual. Under the
treaty, the date for restoring the
South Manchuria railway to China
falls in the year e002.