The Washington times., 1921-12-09

how these forms can Do mace
less of puzzle.
impolitely. Evildoing may DO rsgu.
set on crime.
Fears Are Aggravated.
It was such fears and ghosts Of such
fears that haunted the Chinese onlook-
ers at the conference when 1t began TO
80 into details. The suggestion TO
give back to China the places taken
from her as leaseholds brought the
declaration from Japan that Port Ar.
thur was Of vital interest to her. and
England spoke in like terms Of Know.
loon, q little piece of land opposite
Hongkong. So the Chinese feared
that while a few unimportant crumbs
would be thrown to them. the great
vital issues would be put off.
The conference would become weary
of discussion. The public not know
ing much about the details OF the Chi
nese question would take 1t that sub
stantial matters had been conceded 70
China. And when the Chinese would
insist on the essential needs they
would be met with impotence and told
"you are too unreasonable" Thus
they would return from Washington
in a condition not better than that
after Paris. The troubles OF the Ear
East would continue to thicken.
Such fears were aggravated by the
air OF uncertainty that surrounds
conference in which the proceedings
are secret. At Washington there are
present only ten men. aside from
Chinese and japanese, who are init
mately familiar with the Far East.
It may be imagined what an amount
- INSTRUMENTATION and fQIQa 01lAmQoA
are about.
The logic Of the Chinese position
is this:
Conditions force the Chinese to pro-
coed along two parallel lines at this
| conference. They came with a great
moral appeal. What they ask for Ia
no more than the application Of equity
and justice. They might state their
great needs in simple and strong Ian.
guage and then say, This is the test of
the conference. II you Cannot como up
to this, there Ia no need Of our staying.
We have nothing further to say"
| Such an appeal would strongly touch
public opinion.
But the Chinese have also to con-
slider that the other nations with
| whom they associate find themselves
still in an abnormal situation conse-
| Quent upon the war. In Fighting the
inJustices and wrongful situations that
| exist, the Chinese will sit down with
their associates and consider point for
point. They will not theorize, but con-
slider facts. They will solve every
question by bringing the particular
$tate Of facts closer to the principles
Of justice.
There has been also much fear that
an attempt will be made to foist inter
national syndicate or trust control on
China. This Is a matter that requires
watchfulness. With the best inten-
lions, even a fair-minded government
and groups Of men might work into
the hands Of a selfish system Of con-
| troll and exploitation. as certain
Japanese and British interests desire.
Proposals which will be made in this
direction must be scanned with care,
particularly by the United States,
mixed up In such a combination. anil
unwittingly to promote the bondage
of China to foreign capital.
What are the essential needs OF
China and the Far East? What is the
irreducible minimum?
| Ftrst-The control Of railways on
Chinese soil by any foreign govern.
ment IL Incompatible with Chinese
rights and her freedom Of develop
ment. and 1t likewise would defeat In
practice the equal opportunity OF all
nations In China. China can there.
fore not consent to the acquisition by
Japan Of the Shantung Railway.
| Second-It is a just principle that
lasting obligations incompatible with
national freedom. should not be i'm.
posed on a nation by threats Of force
in times Of peace or without ratifica-
ton by the properly constituted
treaty-making power.
Third-The Independence Of the
Chinese Government requires that 1t
should be granted full control of the
customs revenue. and there should az
ali immediate beginning in the resto
ration Of customs autonomy by rails
ing the rate Of duty.
| Fourth - A specific declaration
should be made against the use OF
diplomatic influence or pressure for
the maintenance Of special privileges
or preferences in China. on the part
Of any nation.
Fifth-The ,leaseholds Of Tsingtao,
Weihaiwei and Kwangohowan being
situated in important provinces Of
China proper, should be Immediately
returned to China by Japan, Great
Britain and France. Definite or.
rangements should be made for the
| early return Of other leaseholds.