The New York herald., 1921-12-04
Continued from First Page.


his associates presented any forma.
demands of this character, The Amer
lean. British and, in fact, all or the
other delegates in the conference have
sedulously held to the view that the
matter of naval armaments is the key
10 the entire conference programme.
and the interJection Of collateral mat
ers would result in so many compilca-
tions as to jeopardize the security OF
the foundation upon which vast inter
national reforms are TO be based.
Confirmation OF this statement was
provided to-day by the committee on
Far Eastern affairs,r which is engaged
Fin constructing bill Of rights" for
China under. which It is hoped the
400, 100000 people of the two fioweiy
republics will take a new start toward
progress. The fact is that the actual
developments of to-day centred en-
tirely around the activities Of the COM
mittees diligently trying to work out
charter that will insure greater in
dependence to the Chinese in establish
ing and maintaining a stable and pro-
gressive Government, and while the
progress made was slightly befogged
by conditions the results were really
more important than any proceeding
of the conferees.
Ready to Cancel Leases.
The committee wasted little time in
attacking the most disturbing obstacles
that stand in the way of an open
door" in China. After hearing state
re t,,;e, q
China, Mr.. Hanahara for Japan, NJ.
Viviani for France and Mr.. Balfom. for
Great Britain, expressing the readiness
of their Governments to discuss the
cancellation of leases held by them on
Chinese territory on condition that all
nations holding such privileges agree
to do likewise.
The efforts OF the Chinese people to
regain control of territory now held by
foreign Governments have always been
defeated, even when supported by all
the moral influence that the United
States could bring to bear upon the
situation. To-day, under the guidance
of the United States Government,
which does not own any territory on
the Asiatic mainland, the Far East
committee moved in a decisive and
highly progressive way to procure the
cancellation of leases held by other
Governments.
The representatives of Japan, while
expressing Willingness to negotiate di-
rectly with China for the return of
kiaouchou. in the Shantung Penin-
sula, called attention to the fact that
its lease OF Kwan-Tung, which in
cludes Port Arthur. and Dairen, has
been recognized by the American, Brit
ish and French Governments. The
Japanese spokesman, however, ex-
pressed willingness to discuss the mat
ter. 80
M. Viviani said his Government was
ready to "join in the collective restitu-
ton of territories leased to various
Powers in China If all private rights
are safeguarded.' The French Govern
ment leases a small part of Kwan
Chow Wal.
would Keep Kowloon Extension.
Mr. BaIfour expressed the wiling
ness of his Government to join in
collective restitution" by restoring
of China If that act will insure a set
tlement Of the question of Shantung.
Mr.. rBalfour expressed the opinion that
the British Government should not be
required to surrender it's lease of "the
Kowioon, Extension" which is neces-
sary to the maintenance of Hongkong
and which was directly ceded by the
Chinese Empire to his country.
The offers of Japan. Great Britain
and France to make concessions to the
spirit of sacrifice which actuates the
conference was regarded by American
officials as q long step toward the re-
habilitation Of China. 1t was expected
that the Japanese delegates would in
stance their determination to take ad-
vantage OF the recognition. of Japan's
rights in Manchuria by the American.
British and French Governments. The
Japanese say the Kwang Tung PENN
sula is IAN essential part of our eco
nomic life Whether. the Mikado's
Government can be finally persuaded
to withdraw the assertion of these
rights, carrying control. of the import
ant towns ofsPort Arthur and Dairen,
will not be determined until the mat
ter IS directly approached next week.
The Chinese delegates appear to
think that the Japanese cannot be in
duced TO relax their grip on Kwan
Tung, although they express satisfac-
ton regarding the progress made to-
ward establishing the open door" to-
day. They naturally assert there will
be some sort of string" to any conces-
sion made by Japan. The American
and British delegates were inclined to
take more optimistic view than their
Chinese conferees. f.-
shantung Outlook Is Bright.
Just how much progress Is being
made toward the settlement of the
Shantung row is a matter Of conjec-
ture. Up to tonight the japanese and
Chinese representatives have conferred
amicably regarding the terms which
Japan undoubtedly has stipulated for
turning over to China the control Of
Kiaouchou.
The delegates of this and other
countries sincerely believe the trans
fer of the disputed territory will be
accomplished without complications
that win compel the conference TO
take It up as a legitimate issue of the
Far Eastern agendn. There are, of
course a large number of sceptics on
this point, mainly because Of the in
tensity of feeling between the two
countries. The outsiders are in any
event hopeful.
American and European observers