The New York herald., 1921-11-26
,hole. This work will be completed


quire into the mysteries of the Chinese
customs and fiscal conditions. another
subcommittee was brought into exist
ence to consider and report on the de-
mand of China that the extraterritorial
rights enjoyed by foreign nations in
China be abolished. Senator Lodge was
made chairman of this subcommittee
In creating the subcommittee, the
Far East general committee responded
to the recommendation of Wang
Chung-Hui, Chief Justice of the Su-
preme Court of China and one of the
delegates of the Pekin Government. 1t
is believed the subcommittee will
recommend the gradual abolition OF
extraterritorial privileges in China.
The American delegation supplies an
Interpretation of the four general prin-
ciples formulated by Elihu Root and
adopted by the Far Eastern commit
tee. The fourth clause of the Root
proposals has been subjected to con-
siderable criticism, which. in view of
the statements of the American dele
gates to-day. is wholly erroneous in
Interpretation.
According to the spokesman for the
American delegation who discussed the
matter with the newspaper correspond
ents this afternoon, the debated clause
merely pledges the eight countries par
ticipating in the conference to refrain
from taking advantage of existing
to caalr frrrthar 0nnNaSSinnc
The delegate made categorical denial of
the widely published reports that the
Root proposals recognize the status
quo of international holding out of con-
cessions in China and therefore legal
ICES them.
Door Is Still Open.
This was followed up by a positive
declaration that the Root resolution
does not close the doors of the confer
ence against consideration and adjust
ment of specific issues raised by China
and Japan, such as relating to Man
churia and Shantung. The door is
still open" and will be kept so to any
suggestion that may be used as the
basis for the rehabilitation of affairs in
China
The American delegation has divided
the Chinese problem into what are de-
scribed as "three circles" Within the
first are embraced features of the Chi
nese conditions which are wholly con-
trolled by the Chinese Government and
are not subject to the dispute.
Within the second are included
agreements covering territorial and
economic concessions against which
the Chinese Government protests.
The third circle includes the secret
agreements which China desires to
have uncovered and abrogated The
latter may be held to relate to work
ing features under the Anglo-Japa-
nese alliance, which, by the way, is
the only issue on which there exists a
difference OF policy and opinion be-
tween the delegates Of the United
States and those of Great Britain.
In establishing the latter important
fact this afternoon the spokesman for
the American delegation expressed
great regret that the public had re-
ports asserting the, hostility of Mr..
Balfour, the head of the British dele
cation, toward some of the American
proposals under consideration at the
meeting of the committee on the Far
East. The report was pronounced to
be without the slightest foundation.
Unfriendly Criticism DepIored.
In making this statement (Which
was also Incorporated in an official
communique). the American delegates
generally deplored the activities of
propagandists and unfriendly critics
In trying to accentuate differences be-
tween the representatives of some of
the foreign nations. In doing so they
sedulously refrained from making any
comments on the address delivered by
Lord Curzon at London yesterday
The American delegates declared
they were not concerned in the dis
pute between the British and French
Governments. though they regret the
development. Discussion of the state
ments made by. Lord Curzon caused a
great deal of irritation to the repre-
sentatives of France headed by NJ
viviani and served to increase the
tension between the two European
neighbors.
The majority of European delegates,
while refraining from public discus
sion of the breach between Great
Britain and France were inclined to
attach greater Importance to it than
were their American conferees. Parti-
sans among the journalistic represen-
tation Of the two countries took direct
issue with one another over the prob
able effect of the statements of Lord
Curzon. but agreed that the expression
of his views would not help matters"
According to well informed observ-
ers. the representatives of Great Brit
ain in the international conference
have secretly reflected antagonisrn TO
the French request for permission 20
maintain n larger land force than the
British believe is needed for defensive
purposes. Further than this, unofficial
French spokesmen declare British in
fluences are attempting to defeat the
French plan for improving its naval
status In the Mediterranean, in the ad-
Justment Of which Italy has loomed up
as an irritating factor TO muddle the
situation.
How French View situation.
AS the French understand It, British
opposition 10 the naval ambitions of
France and italy is largely based on
the ground that the combined sea
forces Of France and Italy would ex-