The Washington herald., 1921-09-22
HUGHES SEEKS
AGREEMENT TO
PROTECT CHINA
Pacific Problems Under
Consideration by State
Department.
YAP CONTROVERSY
NEARLY SETTLED
Efforts Made to End Dis
putes Before Confer
ence Meets.

With theI controversy over the
Island of Yap rapidly approaching
a settlement, the State Department
was able yesterday to begin the
preparation of an agreement, to be
submitted to the conference on the
Limitation of armaments. for the
disposition of the Pacific and Far
Eastern problems, notably China.
Just, as John Hay halted the
movement toward the partition Of
China among the powers by obtain
ing the adoption of the open door"
agreement, so Secretary of State
Hughes aims to effect an under
standing protecting China and ST.
IBERIA from spoliation, an under
standing the powers would be SOL
'emnly pledged to observe.
Reduces Chances of Discord.
With an understanding reached
on the attitude of the powers to-
ward China. Siberia and the Pa
cifc Islands inundated to Japan.
Mr.. Hughes believes that the pos
sibility of international discord in
that part of the world would be
reduced to a minimum and the way
paved for an agreement on the re-
duction of naval armament by
Great Britain, the United States
and Japan.
At the same time misapprehen-
sions concerning the attitude of
the United States in the approach
ing conference were cleared up.
One power. for instance. believed
the administration to be at a po-
Iitical disadvantage in the event of
the failure to accomplish the aims
desired. and for this reason looked
for concessions.
Takes ConciIintory Attitude.
1t was stated by high authority
that. anxious as this government
Is for success. it cannot be ex-
pected to effect such a success at
any and all costs and that neither
the political future of the admin
istration nor the fate of the ma
ton hinges on the outcome.
The attitude of this government,
however. is entirely conciliatory
and every sacrifice consistent with
dignity will be made. 1t was
pointed out. Matters in dispute
between the United States and any
of the nations attending the con-
ference will be settled prior to the
conference, If possible, or excluded
from the subjects to come up for
discussion.
Agenda Made Public.
The proposed agenda for the con-
ference was made public yesterday
to correct inaccuracies in previous
ly published versions. 1t follows:
Limitation of armament: l. Limi-
tation of naval armament, under
which shall be discussed: (a) basis
of limitation: (b) extent; (c) full
f1llment. 2. Rules for control of
new agencies of warfare. 3. Limi-
tation of land armament.
Pacific and Far Eastern ques-
tions: /. QuGtions relating to
China: First, principles to be ap-
piled; second. application.
Subjects for Consideration.
(a) territorial integrity: (b) ad-
ministrative integrity; (c) open
door-equality of commercial and
industrial opportunity; Id conces-
sions, monopolies or preferential
economic privileges; (e) develop
ment of railways, including plans
relating to Chinese Eastern Rail-
way; (D preferential railroad
rates; (g) status of existing COM
mitments. 2. Siberia (similar head
ings). 3. Mandated islands Gun
less questions earlier settled).
Under the heading of status of
Existing Commitments" 1t is ex-
pected that opportunity will be af-
forded to consider and to reach an
settled questions involving the ma
ture and scope of commitments
under which claims of rights may
hereafter be asserted