The Washington herald., 1921-11-17
Principles for Pacific Set
tlement in View, All
Admit. 81
MEETING MAKES
REAL PROGRESS
Conferees Exchange
Views Without Fear of
misunderstanding. =

Agreement on OTOdO SeheI al ptlh-
ciples to settle the Far Eastern and
Pacific muddled problems can be
reached by the present armament
conference in session in this city.
Members of every delegation that
participated in yesterdays meeting
expressed this view last night Some
declared that this agreement could
be looked forward 70 very soon.
Others said that IL probably would
take much time. But there was
complete unanimity in the opinions
expressed by the various delega-
tions. OF course none would talk
oficially, or allow himself 10 be
quoted for publication. They did.
however, explain that the initial
session behind closed doors. in
which opportunity was afforded for
all to talk both across the table ana
with each other. was a. revelation
Of purpose. The general slogan was
one for speeding up developments
Cutting out OF unnecessary debat.
was the one thing all believed nee
essary.
As an instance, il was cited that
when the committee met the sug-
gestion was made that an adjourn
ment be taken for a couple Of dsys
while special committee examined
the outlook and prepared a pro-
gram. Arthur J. Bslfour. the Brit
ish delegation chief, interpose6 an
objection. He said that il would
be a good thing informally TO talk
things ove-. This was done. and IL
developed that all Of the delega-
tions were in a receptive mood. Ths
result was that the Chinese dele
CATION at once was afforded oppor-
tunity TO express its views and
to suggest a program for action.
Problems Dangerous.
While there was an optimistic
feeling among the delegations. and
many expressed the hope that days
rather than weeks or months. woulI
mark the life OF the conference. u
/ likewise was agreed that the PROB
/ lens now up for consideration ate
extremely knotty and at all times
extremely dangerous. Because OF tins
I there are certain members % the
most important delegations who
/ believe that what should be done
/ is to have defined in general terms
| the broad principles OF settling all
I the troubled questions now grouped
/ under the agenda head OF the Par
Eastern Problems ana the PscihC."
and that Nhen a special committee.
on which, would be representco
every one OF the nine nations now
gathered here, should be named to
work out the details
Such q plan would be very sats-
factory 10 certain Of the American.
British and Japanese delegations.
The simple announcement Of tha
general principles agreed 70. TO
include the open door" policy
which American interests alwa, :
have sponsored, would remove much
OF the apprehension entertained
concerning the world rivalries that
might make for war in the PaClfC
And then. when the details were
worked out all Of the nations would
have TO accept them. inasmuch as
the general plan had been ap-
proved by their delegates. Whether
this will be done, OF course only the
conference itself can determine. But
late last night in the various ma
tionsr headquarters there was
voiced a general approval Of such
q plan.
fnp Knot Ubdone.
Another thing which pleased the
delegates was the intimation from
American sources that the problems
involving the japanese inundated
control Of the Island OF Yap were in
fair way speedily TO be settled and
that they might not have TO be con-
sidered by this conference. The Js-
psnese are understood 10 have let
II be known that they will concede
the American rights in Yap. as de-
hned by the State Department
These still are held as a secret. but
II was suggested that they would
include agreement by japan that
the general principles Of the extra
dition treaties now in existence he
tween the United States and Jana n
shall apply to Yap and that IN.
United States shall be ceded by snv
government that shall be Initiated
there-and the right guaranteed by
Japan-of site for a wireless or
cable station such as the United
States may want
After the meeting the official COM
muniQue OF what had occurred he
hind closed doors was given out as
follows:
The committee on Pacific and
Far Eastern questions met on Wed
nesday, November Is. at IL a
at the Pan-American BUILDING.
There were present the delegates 20
the conference of the United ststes
Of America, Belgium, the British
! Empire, China, France, Italy, IA
pan. the Netherlands and PortussI L
} together with one adviser for escn
delegation The secretary Genersl
of the conference, Mr.. Garrett was
named secretary Of the committee.
The chairman made a few introduce
tory remarks regarding the Far
Eastern situation. Tho Chinese
Minister made a statement. Tn.
! committee, composed of the chief
delegate OF each of the nine ns-
tions, was appointed TO arrange and
classify the topics for discussion
and to meet at the call OF the chair.
This committee met briefly after
luncheon and then adjourned until
IL a. m, Thursday, November IT,
while this was the formal an
nouncement there was no question
that the meeting made real prog
ress. With the possibility OF mis-
understanding through hssty inter
probation of their remarks in de-