The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-12-04
bALF0UR BACKS
SCHEME AFTER
SHOWDOWN ON
H0[OS|N CHINA
Reservations by Japan to Giving
Up leasehoIds Throw Issue
Into Conference.
CHINA HOLDS WHIP HAND
Insistence on Return of Shan
tung Railroad Crucial Cues
ton in Farley.
BY NORMAN HAPGOOD,


Staff Correspondent, Universal Service.
Vivid suggestions about what may
take the place of the Anglo-Japanese
alliance were revealed last night by
information that Secretary Hughes.
Under Secretary Fletcher, Baron
Kato. Mr.. Balfour, NJ. Viviani and
Baron Schanzer had been in confer.
ence on the subject.
The tri-partite agreement, first dis
cussed, later made four-sided by the
admission Of France, thus would be-
come a five-cornered agreement, as 1t
Is understood Italy's wish to come in
was promptly complied with.
The form in which this agreement,
II reached, will be put to the Senate
forms one of President Harding's
most difficult problems. Senators
Lodge and Underwood were busy last
night sounding out Senatorial opinion,
as they want II whether the final
form of the agreement requires con-
firmation or not. They seek In any
case to prevent or limit a resulting
fight.
Balfour Fathers Scheme.
This action for a quintuple Pacific
understanding was taken on British
Initiative, Arthur Balfour playing the
leading part in bringing the pleni-
potentiaries together.
On the delicate issue OF leaseholds
In, hal
eign powers. there was a showdown
yesterday of the stand taken by each
foreign nation.
There was no final decision, because
prevent a decision.
Vivani. getting his first chance in
the conference to use his far-famed
eloduence since BRAND left him in
charge Of the work, declared France
would pry herself loose IL the other
countries would commit similar sur
gerry on themselves.
As Japan declined. with or without
thanks, to 20 anywhere near so far,
the situation lapsed back into what is
known ~ reconsideration" The re-
consideration is made, however, with
the public enlightened rs 10 where
everybody stands on this critical
point.
Something of the kind was needed.
The conference has lost public conf.
dence In the last week or so. Ex-
Senator Sutherland has reported on
this subject, as well az on gas, subma-
rine, aeroplanes, and modes of war.
fare.
Although the reports are not yet
made public, I know that a distinct
swing against what is generally inter
preted as secret diplomacy has taken
place. Just what this means you will
find out IL you read this piece of re.
porting to the end.
Before getting all balled up in tho
details It may be well to fix your mind
on the fact that the critical point tthe
main objective, as soldiers call it) IL
the Shsntung railway. other aspects
Of the many-sided Chinese question
are important and entertaining, but
open to negotiation. II is on the
shantung railroad that Japan and
China would have broken up the con.
ference II Mr.. Hughes and Mr.. Balfour
had not persuaded them 10 take the
matter out OF the conference into the
back yard and see IL they could not
iron II out.
The Administration counts Il sreat
ence I rsusdlng Chiu- and Japan
not to ;. Il but to negotiate directly.
Maybe IL Is. II all depends on what
happens now. Japan Is very set on
control politely chilled Joint controQ