The New York herald., 1921-12-03

Special Despatch to THE NEW YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington, ID. C., Dec. 9.
Chinese diplomacy directed itself
to-day to the task of emerging from
the meshes in which it became en-
tangled when the Chinese delegates
consented to discuss the Shantung
question with Japan.
Chinese public opinion, which is de-
termlnedly against anything like di-
rect negotiation with Japan relative to
Shantung, has made itself manifest
here and was exempliiied in demon
stration by the Chinese student class
demanding there be no direct negotia-
tons with Japan over Shantung.
The possible isolation of China in
the conference as a result of her
willingness to hold conversations with
the Japanese delegates, became more
pronounced when 1t became known
that neither Secretary of State Hughes
nor Arthur ]. Balfour, contrary to an
nounced procedure. remained in the
room with the Chinese-Japanese dele
gates, while the conversations were in
progress.
Mr.. Hughes and Mr. Balfour withdrew
as soon as the stage had been set. but
the Far Eastern experts of the British
and American delegations remained as
their representatives.
shadow OF Versatile. Treaty.
No official explanation was given of
the reason for the withdrawal of Secre-
tary Hughes and Mr.. Balfour. but the
shadow OF the Versailles treaty un-
doubtedly projected itself into the situa-
tion. Whatever agreements may be
reached by Japan and China relative to
Shantung with Mr. Baifour and Mr..
Hughes present might have given the
impression that Far Eastern settlements
were being reached by joint action OF
British and the United States without
the participation OF the other Powers in
yited to confer on the Far East.
In spite OF these evident reasons the
Chinese have felt their Isolation in
creased, and with public indignation in
China expressing itself over what has
happened In Washington the Chinese
delegation realized the necessity of an
explanation
DR.. wellington Koo. Chinese Minister
TO Great Britain. speaking for the Chi
nese delegation to-day said the conversa-
tions in which the delegations OF China
and Japan are engaging are not to be
regarded as direct negotiations" He
added that this is evident from the fact
that the persons who are participati ting
In the conversations ara delegates to the
conference. that both ftreat Britain and
the United States are represented by ex-
perts and that IL Is proposed to submit
the minutes of the conversations to the
conference itself.
1t has been admitted that n report of
the conduct of the converse tions" will
be made to the conference and II is an
parently the view of the American dele
cation that the conversations ere TAX
ing place within the view of the confer
ence and accordingly Of the world
Chinese DcIcRstcs' Position.
The Chinese delegates are confronted
with the necessity of explaining to their
own people Why they have engaged in
conversations" and II is equally ap-
parent they do not know to what extent
the United States win be willing to go In
protecting them against Japan, once the
two countries are brought face to face.
The opening conference did not arrive
anywhere. Japan merely reiterated the
conditions upon which she would recede
Shantung TO China, included in their
previous explanation OF notes with China.
while China reiterated her own position
of objection TO having any conditions at
tached..
In spite of this unyielding attitude Il
is expected that the Japanese viii yield
wx4N. ~ IL -
find II increasingly difficult not 20 make
concessions.
The ability OF the Chinese delegates
TO pull themselves out OF n situation
which Is extremely embarrassing win
clearly depend on their courage and
their determination 20 walk out OF the
conference II necessary in order 10 gain
their point
The Chinese delegation expresses op-
timisn concerning the result OF the con-
versations, although II was clear that
Japan had made no overtures which re-
lieved the tension. The delegation Is con-
fldent also that II anything concrete is
done for China in the conference II will
help materially in bringing about the
uni1cation OF North and South China.
Further Embarrnssment.
Ine 1hlneSo ucltBateS are efnbarragsGd
further by the fact that whatever is done
relative TO Shantung will have an iInpor-
tant bearing on the situation In Man
churia and Eastern Inner Mongolia and
will affect the positions which France
has at Kwang Chouan on the coast OF
Twang Tung Province, the position OF
Japan at Port Arthur and the position
Of England at Wei-Wei.' They realize
that II they yield in Shantung It will bs
the opening wedge for further conces-
sions all along the line. Neither are tho
astute Chinese delegates oblivious to the
fact that Japan Is apparently using the
delay in the naval ratio controversy tc
force concessions In the Fp East.
" developed to-day that the drafting
committee OF the conference which Is
preparing mandate for the commission
which Will investigate extraterritorial
conditions in China is charged with an
extremely important task. This com
mission. while named specifically for the
purpose OF studying extraterritoriality
will probably look into Far Eastern con-
ditlons generally and will be the look.
| out post for the carrying out OF agree.
msnts reached here.
The official ccmmunique OF the first
| day OF the conversations between ths
Iapanese and Chinese delegates or
| ghaufunQ iest1cd ta.dav tells the foIiov+.