The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1921-11-26
ENJOYS DEBATE
CHINESE ISSUES
WITHOUT CLASH
Root Resolutions Form
Basis for Discussion of
Future Policies.
MANY DETAILS
TO BE EXAMINED
Chinese State Objections
To EXtraterritOrial
Judicial System.

cNNASASAA ~ Ss>s
The big disputed problems affecting
ment conference until next week. 1t
had been hoped that It would be pos
sible for the committee on the Pacific
and the Far East TO. take up Shantung.
Manchuria and other Chinese terri
tory now under control Of other ma
tions today, but IL has been found to
be impossible. Matters that are en-
tirely domestic to China still hold the
attention Of the conference.
However, the developments OF yes
terday did much TO clarity the con-
ference atmosphere and to clear away
sinister rumors OF impending serious
disputes that would bring about the
collapse Of the conference. In this
connection high American authorities
took occas sion TO explain just what the
general situation in connection with
China actually is.
Franknexs Aids Agreement.
1--WE are working together with the
heartiest cooperation said this Off
Nldl, ana we nave Ildl liO hdUEtiOho
clashes. We have had very frank ex-
pressions Of views that have made for
friendly agreements"
The American authority pointed out
that so far as the Root resolutions
are concerned they are in effect an
epitomization of all that the various
delegations said in connection with de-
fining a general policy toward China
They do not deal with problems Of the
past Rather they define the policies
Of the future. But in doing the latter
they do not In any way preclude a
full and free discussion Of all OF the
ten points set up by China They do
not deal with either the consortium
or the railroad problem. Or. as de
scribed far more in detail by this To-
ficial:
The Root PROPOSALS as set forth
in the resolutions which were
unanimously adopted by the repre-
sentatives OF all of the nations par
ticipating in the conference not
only open the door in China. but
they actually carry us inside.
Means Step Forward.
American officials believe that
the general situation in China as
referred to by the conference to
date is about as follows:
China has been subject to treaties
and conventions for generations.
Her territory has been cut into
greatly. Now representatives OF
the eight powers cathered IN
Washington debate the question
shall she be cut into any more?"
! There is an unanimous no. You
cannot eXaggerate the great step
! forward that this means under the
| four Root resolutions. Eight powers
| pledge themselves before the world
! to recognize China's freedom of ac-
| ti(n in the future.
The next step is obvious. China
/ is bound by agreements and trea-
! ties. She wants them changed.
| She must make a candid statement
as to the reasons for this. She
| also must set forth whether she
/ has any secret understandings that
would give any single power rights
others do not enjoy. This confer
ence asks for information. China
gives it. Then discussion comes.
| This discussion takes time. Things
that are general at the start soon
become specific in detail. This
means that now the conference
will have to examine these details
before any further steps are pos
sible.
Discuss Extrnterritoriality.
This explanation indicated the
| great work that confronts the con-
! ference. Yesterday the committee
| on the Pacific and Far East was
able to dispose of only one subject
and to make a start on a second.
! The subject disposed of was that
Of extraterritorialitY under which
! foreign nations have set up their
| own judicial systems within China.
There was a prolonged discussion
| in which the Chinese position was
definitely outlined by their repre-
! sentatiyes. Afterward NJ. Niviani.
for France: A. J. Balfour, for Great
Britain; Senator Schanzer, for Italy,
and Hanihara for Japan expressed
sympathy with the Chinese view
| point. 1t then was decided that a
subcommittee would be appointed
to consider the question and report
a program to the conference.
Explains Chinese Position.
In taking up the general suoJec'
DR.. Chung chief justice
| of the Chinese Supreme Court, eN'
planned the position Of his govern
ment as follows:
"Extraterritoriality in China
dates back almost to the beginning
| of treaty relations with foreign
countries. 1t was clearly laid dowr
in the treaty OF 1874 between the
United States and China, and sim
liar provision has since been In
serted with other powers. Extra
territorial rights were granted at
time when there were only hvt
treaty ports; that is. places where
| foreigners could trade and reside
\ Now there are 80 such places ano
| an equal number of places open tC
| foreign trade on China's own initia'
tive. This means an ever-increas'
ing number of persons within heI
territory over whom she is almost
powerless.
This anomalous condition has be-
come a serious problem. with which
| Continued on Page Three.