Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-11-25
MAY keep FOREIGN
COURTS IN CHINA
Powers Favor Modification, but
Oppose Sweeping Change
In System
DELEGATES IN SESSION
BY the Associated Press

washington, NOV. SJ.-Ihe Arms
Conference discussion of Far Eastern
questions shifted today to the possibil-
ity Of abridging the system of extra
territorial rights, under which the
Powers maintain their own judicial
agencies in China for the trial Of cages
in which their respective nationals are
involved.
China wants the extra, territorial
privilege abolished altogether, although
her delegates have indicated doubt
whether the present judicial machinery
Of the Chinese Government would make
it possible to withdraw the foreign tri-
bunsls Immediately.
All the other nations concerned have
expressed hope that something can be
done toward modifying the present sys-
lem, but have evidenced in the main O
feeling that nothing Of very sweep
ing character in that direction is war
ranted just now.
The session of the rine delegates, sit
ting as committee Of the whole TO dis
cuss the extra territoriality problem,
was the only meeting of the Conference
or its subdivisions on today'B program,
the questions of land and naval arma-
ment having again gone into temporary
eclipse while experts prepare their opln-
ions Us TO details. ..
May Discuss Shantung
It was thought by some of the dele
gates that the committee deliberations
might also reach the subject of leases
during the day, bringing into the dis
cussiong the troublesome questions of
Shaptung and Manchuria.
Meantime the clash Of opinion be-
tween the Chinese and some Of the Brit
sh spokemen over the meaning of the
four Root principles continued q sub
icct of speculation in conversations
among individual delegates. The quea.
ton OF interpreting the Root principles
has not yet come directly before the
sessions of the Conference, however.
and may not be raised formally until the
discussions reach q point requiring np-
plication OF the principles to specific
cases.
Ono official Of the Chinese delegation
said China would refuse to sit in the
Conference any longer f the British
view turned out TO be the attitude of
the Powers.
Desires Solid Foundation
1t was revealed authoritatively today
that the purpose of the American dele.
CATION in bringing forward the Root
resolution was TO place the entire Far
East negotiations on a foundation of
accepted basic principles, from whose
application there would be no escape
as the Conference proceeded to details
in the Chinese ten points and other
open issues. -. -
the continuance of international SUPER
vision of Chinese customs, finances and
even railroads was not viewed by the |
American delegation as in any sense in |
consistent with the declarations In the |
Root resolutions in favor Of the main |
tenance Of Chinese integrity and inde-
pendence.
The subcommittee Of the nine Powers
appointed to study the question of the I
'hinese tariff wilLbc called together by |
senator Underwood, its chairman, In |
a few days, it was announced today.
The committee is waiting preparation !
"t additional fiscal data to begin its |
work,
May Drop "2l Demands''
SNtAN VI IuC
lLsory council at Toxic, according to
information reaching prominent jana
hese now i'll Washington, but OF mem
bers Of the official Armament Confer
nee delegation, are in favor of going
10 the limit of annulling the 1915 treaty |
with China, known sometimes as the
tWenty-one demands" and of arrang-
llg with China new treaty by which |
japan would be permitted to extend the |
ease Of the South Nlanchurla Railway,
us well as Port Arthur and Mukden.
The right 10 these leases Is said to
b" regarded by japanese as legitimate
iruit of the war with Russia and not
Il result OF Japan's ultimatum to China
III connection with tho twenty one
demands" "
Unofficial Japanese frankly admit
hat the manner under which the 1915
agreement was arranged caused consid-
etable damage to Japan's reputation as
a great world Power, and members of
the diplomatic advisory council are rep |
resented as anxious to do everything |
possible to undo any mistakes Of the |
past
The diplomatic advisory council was
"reatcd some six years ago. 1t is COM
posed of eminent japanese, many OF
whom have served In ministries. All
matters of state are referred to this |