The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-11-22
Four Principles Pledged by Ma
tiOns Are Compromise.
Delegates of Big Powers Con-
slider Root Program.
Will GIVE CHINA CHANCE
Nations Pledge Glands OF" and
"Open Door" Policy.
Japanese Express Satisfaction
With Principles Proposed.

Washington, Nov. ZZ.-Ine OnlIeI
States has already assumed the role
of umpire in the sharp conflict of
opinion between Japan and China as
to the general principles which are
to govern the discussion of Ch-na's
case at the Washington conference
This was learned authoritatively to-
day when the delegates of the nine
powers assembled again behind closed
doors to take up the Chinese ques-
tion. The committee met at II o'clock
in the Pan-American building.
It developed today that the four
pr nciples' brought out by Eihu
Root and agreed to last night by the
powers, represented a virtual COM
promise between the far reaching
''priuciples' proposed by China ana
the ultra conservative principles,
favored by Japan.
Creation of a subcommittee to deal
with questions of Chinese revenue,
taxation and finance, was authorized
by tOday's session after there had been
considerable discussions of the ques-
tion.
The subcommittee was authorized
on motion Of Senator Underwood of
the American delegation. After being
in session for more than two hours,
the meeting broke up to meet again
tomorrow afternoon.
Must Guarantee China.
The third Chinese principle pledges
the powers ito use their influence for
the purpose of effectually establish
ing and maintaining the principle of
equal opportunity for the commerce
and industry of all nations thruout
the territory of China.
The question that arises under the
Interpretation of this principle is
whether the China Of fifty years ago
or the China of today IS to be taken
as a basis for consideration. The map
OF China has changed much in fifty
years as the powers kept '.nibblng'
al her territory thru outright anne1a-
tion and the less bold, but equally ef-
ficacious method of spheres of in
fluence."
There is reason to believe that the
Root proposals are part of the
Hughes program" for the settlement
OF Far Eastern matters.
Today, the real work started on ad-
jUstment of China's intricate and COM
plicated affairs, with the acceptance
by the powers of the Root program as
the foundation on which to build.
While the principal delegates went
at the Chinese problem, the naval ex-
perts continued their technical dis
cussion of the ship program.
Beyond the general statement that
progress is being made" there is no
indication that the opposition to Jap
ans being relegated to a. poor third
IN the naval strength of the world is
in any way disappearins.
All Points Not Covered.
Comparison of China's bill of rights,
with the four principles adopted by
the conference yesterday disclOses that
tie latter cover only two and a half
of the ten points" proper, and one
paragraph of China's introductory
statement, the resolution providing for
the sovereignty, independence and
territorial and administration integrity
of China. covers in almost identical
words China's proposal under la.
The resolution providing for the "Open
door deals with the Chinese second
point; that prohibiting special privi-
leges is contained in the fourth Chi
nese point and that which is designed
TO aid China in her internal affairs
applies to the following paragraph in
the preamble to the Chinese declara-
ton:
1T is necessary that she (China)
should have every possible oppor-
tunity to develop her political institu-
ttons in accordance with the genius
and needs of her own people"
Points Left For Decision.
Thus are left for consideration of
the conference: Point 1-B, China's
undertaking not to lease territorial or
'ittoral rights to any power; point 3,
which prohibits treaties repa riding tl7e
Chinese region without China becom-
ing a party thereto; point s. which
treats more specifically with the no.
lttical and administrative integrity of
China, viz:
Extra territory; point 6, providing
for the Interpretation of instruments
granting special privileges in China in
favor of the grantOr; point 9, providing
for China S rights as a neutral; point
3. which provides for peaceful settle
ment of international disputes in the
Pacific and the Far East, and point
10, providing for future conferences of
the powers, as a basis for determina-
ton of common policies in relation to
the Far East.
Root Program Decisive
In substance, the Roots program
brings the statesmen squarely up
against the task of determining just
what constitutes the China of today
Rigid application of the third prin-
c.ple would deny, for instance, Japan's
claims to special interests in Shan
tung, Manchuria and part OF Mon
golia, three lost" provinces which the
Chinese came to Washington in frank
hopes of getting back
Admiral Baron Kato. head OF the
japanese delegation has expressed
perfect satisfaction with the resolu-
ton and some members of that dele
cation have interpreted it as to be
applied probably only to the future.
They have so far declined to go fur
ther in their analysis of these pro-
visions as their application might af-
feet the leases which Japan holds in
she is regarded as certain to resist.
Tr.,r r7.--