The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1921-12-09
NEWS REVIEW OF
CURRENT EVENTS
China and Japan Persuaded to
Negotiate Settlement of
Shantung Question.
LATTER'S STAND ON TROOPS
Hanihara Says They Must Be Main
tanned in Manchuria-Negota
for a Moratorium for Germanys
Preparations Debt-Irlsh
Peace Plans All
Blocked.
BY EDWARD w. PIcKARp


II oW to bring Japan into line for
l. the solution of the problems be-
fore the armament conference was the
question last week In Washington.
That appreciate progress in the mat
ter was made was encouraging, for
the island empire has many claims that
it does not willingly relinquish. If
there were no other reasons for APP
proval of the conference and conf
dence In its final results, enough could
be found in the fact that its doings
are condemned by the press of Ger
many and by the "Friends of Irish
Freedom" in the United States. But
there are plenty of other reasons for
optimism.
Committee meetings, discussions by
expert advisory bodies and private
conversations" were continuous
throughout the week, and from the
progress made it was deduced by the
most hopeful that the conference
might end the major part of its work
before Christmas That this meeting
can accomplish everything desired is
out of the question, so President Har-
dings suggestion that there be con-
tinuing series of conferences is meet
ing with favor throughout the world.
Senator Borah naturally registered
his objection because he fears the plan
would result in the formation of an
association of nations which would be
as bad as he considers the League Of
Nations. The French also are with
holding entire approval because 1t Is
understood Germany and Russia would
be invited to send delegates to such
future conferences.
For the first time in two years
China consented to treat directly with
Japan concerning the evacuation of
Shantung. Secretary Hughes and Mr.
Balfour brought this about, persuad-
ing the delegates of the two Asiatic
nations to meet in their presence and
thresh out the complicated problem.
1t was agreed that their decision, If
they reached one, should be referred
to the full conference. China still
demands that the ownership and opera
ton of the Shantung railway be re-
stored to her. If Japan yields in this
a settlement seems possible. AS for
the withdrawal of troops from China,
Mr.. Hanihara says Japan is ready to
agree to this except in the case of
Manchuria. There he insists, the re-
tention of japanese troops and police
is absolutely necessary to protect the
zone of the South Manchurla railway
from bandits. Moreover, he asserts,
it is in accord with the treaty of Pc
king of 1905. Japan, according to the
delegate, will withdraw its troops from
Shantung when China is able to pro
tect the railway from Hankow, from
north China when the powers agree
that conditions warrant it, and from
the line of the Chinese Eastern rail
way in Siberia "as soon as the evacua-
ton of Siberia by the japanese troops
is effected"
China's demand that eXtraterriton-
atty be abolished will be referred to
a commission which is to report fifteen
months hence. This indicates that an
other conference on the Far East Is
contemplated, which is In accordance
with President Harding's idea.
1t is up to Japan's delegation to
accept the Hughes 5-5-3 naval ratio,
for the japanese naval advisors stand
pat on their demand that Japan be
granted 20 per cent ratio. This is
voiced by Admiral Kato. The United
States absolutely will not yield In
this, and it is backed by Great Britain
1t was freely predicted that unless the
japanese gave in the conference would
end quickly in. fallure--a disaster for
which Japan surely would hesitate to
take the responsibility. Two other
nations are showing marked interest
In this matter of ratio. France be-
lieves her naval strength should be
equal to that of Japan, and Italy
wants a navy as powerful as that of
France 1t may be these claims will
prove distasteful to Great Britain,
which feels that she must maintain I'M
questioned control of the Mediter-
ranean because that is her pathway
to India