South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-11-28
j. S. -FOUR POINTS"
WINS IN PRINCIPLE
Full Significance of Elihu
Roots Proposal Wins
Staunch Support.
Rv Associated Press.

BY Associated Press.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 27.-The
full significance of the American
-four points" proposed by EHhu
Root and adopted by the arms con-
ference to guide its discussion re-
lating TO China is coming to be bet
ter understood as the far eastern ne
gotiations pass through the accept
ed-in- principle" stage and approach
decisions on specific subjects.
At first regarded as largely n reit-
Grafton of general principles which
had long been sanctioned on paper
by all the powers, the -four points"
now have in fact become the founda-
ton on which China's friends IN the
conference hope TO erect a system
OF reforms that will in many re-
spects reverse completely the prac-
tees Of the past and present.
In this far-reaching development
the American delegation has taken
the leadership by making known in
decisive manner that it regards
the Root resolution as something
vastly more than few finely turn
ed diplomatic phrases.
The American position is that by
accepting the -four points" the par
ticipating nations have bound them
selves solemnly 10 apply in con-
crete way the long professed princi-
pals Of fair dealing toward China.
and 10 proceed without subterfuge
20 give China as great a degree Of
independence as conditions will war
rents
Powerful support.
Powerful support from outside
the American delegation has
strengthened that position and in
the present discussions of tariff au-
tcncmy, extra territorlality and
postal rights the trend Of the nego-
tlations never has been permitted 20
stray far from the Root platform.
n every case proposed solutions
have been scrutinized in the light
Of appropriate sections OF the four
points" with the result that the
four American principles have be-
come in fact as we'll as in name the
dominating element of the discus
siOns
How this method Of procedure VIII
affect such troublesome problems as
Shanturg. Manchuria and the "21
demands" if they come before the
conference is yet 70 be demonstrate
ed. II is pointed out that the prin-
ciples of Root were cast in broad
terms in their references to Chinese
integrity. the open door and special
privileges. but no one who can
speak authoritatively has been will
ing 10 volunteer an Interpretation Of
these references as they apply 20
specific questions not yet before the
conference.
With the questions OF extra terri
toriality and postal rights 20 be dis
posed of tomorrow through specific
declarations now IN preparation by
subcommittee there was an eNpec-
tation in some quarters tonight that
the subject Of leases. including those
held by Japan in Shantung and
Manchuria might be brought up for
discussion in the very near future.
Chinas delegates have declared their
intention Of bringing Shantung and
Manchurian problems 10 the atten-
ton OF the conference as soon as Oc-
casion offered. and Japan has indi-
Gated repeatedly that she does not
regard these subjects as within the
province Of the negotiations. The
attitude OF the other nations has not
been defined, but IL is expected that
some feature OF the -four points"