The New York herald., 1921-12-04
Cannot ReIinquish I'M
portant Rights in
Port Arthur
and Dairen
HONGKONG FREE PORT
Britain and France Offer
Surrender Oh General
Agreement.
SPECIAL RIGHTS SHOWN
Chinese Ask Restoration to
Maintain Territorial
Integrity.
SPECIAL RIGHTS SHOWN
Specioi Despatch to TIM Nrw YORK IIEsALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington. ID. C., Dec. >.

Special Despatch to TlrE Nrw YORK IIEsALp.
New York Herald Bureau
Washington. ID. C., Dec. >.
The Powers performed an explora-
tive operation upon the Far Eastern
problem to-day. They laid the srbject
open and after delving-inside came to
certain indeterminate. conclusions con-
cerniug the surrender OF foreign lease
holds in China.
Tho decisions are regarded by the
American delegation as of the most
far reaching Importance, "a viewpoint
which can be explained only on the
theory that much is concealed in the
yerbiage of the official communique.
The most important development OF
this oexplorative. surgical effort is the
fact that Japan insists she has special
rights IN Manohuria and that she is
not disposed to give them up She
made it clear that she regards the
agreements reached by the Powers
concerning the international censor
tium AS giving to her these special
rights due to her geographical pro-
pinquity. the necessity of guarding
her ecpnoulic necessities and for ma
tional defence.
The lansing -fshii agreement was
not. mentioned. probably because thas
is an agreement between the United
States and Japan alone. but the lap
anese believe this agreement recoS-
nizes this special right
General Restitution Favored.
Naturally the United States Is ready
and willing to have all the Powers sur
render their leaseholds in China. Spokes-
men for the American delegation i'd
mitted that this Government is much In
the position OF Artemus Ward. who vas
willing to sacrifice all his wfe's rela-
tives in the civil war. having none OF his
own to sacrifice.
Great Britain is willing 70 gi.e IN
Wei-hci-wei and France is willing 10
give up it's lease of Kwarg-chou on tho
coast OF Kwang tungr proyince-prcvid-
ing. Of course. this is made part OF
general agreement.
In other words, none of the Powers is
willing to give up anything II has unless
the restitution Is general. IL is rhe same
theory which resulted I'm a general pol
icy of grab, once the policy had been
established by Germany and in period
when the opportunities for grabbing
were excellent.
But as to Hongkong, the British
maintain this is free port. port OF
worldwide importance, and their lease
OF the Kowloon extension is necessary
for the military defence of Hongkone.
defence which is TO be undertaken for
the benefit or the world.
The British determ nation to give up
Wei-hai-wei under certain conditions
has an important .Dearing on the ne
gotfations between China and Japan
relative to Sbantuug. II suggests the
expectation on, the part Of Britain that
Japan will give ~ that province
Whether the British attitude will depend
on Japans attitude toward Manchuria
and the ports OF Danny and Dairen "a
not made clear.
The japanese explanation OF position
Is without DOUBT tho most important
part OF the official commuuique. TIE
japanese explain that they are ready
and willing 10 give up Kso-chow (Shan-
tungl, merely limiting at the condit'o--
behind the proposed restitution by noting
that conversations between representa-
jcct are now in progress.
But as TO Port Arthur and Daircn
Japan makes the fat statement that she
has no intention at present OF relinquish-
ing the important rights she has ac-
quired there "at no small sacrifice"
The committee agreements relative 20
the surrender Of lcascholds can. there
fore. be rega rdcd as merely the opening
OF the question Now that the eN-
plorative operation has been performed.
the surgeons will await until the patient
rccovers from the effects OF the ether
and OF shock.
The Chinese Position.
Alfred Sze. Chinese Minister at Wash
ington. tonight told why China objects
to the presence OF these foreign lease
holds and claimed by indirection that
their maintenance is in conflict with the
acknowledgment in principle OF the
Chinese territorial irte-~ity.
He pointed out that the presence OF
these foreign leaseholds provides an
Emporium in imperio." which is the
antthesis OF recognition ')f the territor-
ial integrity Of his country.
Tho American delegation is in the po-
sition Of a gentle pcrsuader which would
lead the Powers 10 the sacrifice. Having
nothing to sacrifice herself she becomes
disinterestcd except as she Is intensely
interested IN n fair settlement OF the
Far Eastern problem.
Behind the American delegation Is .hc
American Congress. which viii have to
be taken into account In any settle
ments calling for scrapping % the
American navy. II will be cxtrenlelv
difcult to obtain approval by 6,ongress