The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-12-12
New Treaty Between Z. S. and
Japan Drafted.
Americans Get Definite Rights,
Including Cable Control.
CONFERENCE is NER An END
Fifth Week of Conference Sees
Work Nearly Done.
Chinese Are Only Ones Not
Fully Satisfied.

Washington. Dec. y. - Events
moved swiftly today to improve the
chances of the armament conference
being "out Of Washington by New
Years"
Notable progress was made at to-
days secret session of the powers
among which were these overshadow-
ing developments:
1 Secretary of State Hughes an
nounced the settlement of the long
controversy with Japan over the Is
land of Yap and other inundated is
lands on the Pacific, which removes
the sole remaining bar to the actual
signing of the four-powered Pacific
treaty negotiated last week.
2 The powers agreed to remove
their foreign postoffices in China by
January /, 1923. Japan's assent to
III was made conditional upon
Tolzios confirmation, but this is ex-
pCcted.
Great Britain takes the view that
British bases in the Pacific are not in
volved in any di-cuss-on which may
be raised by Japan concerning Pacltlc
fortiffcations, it was said in semi
official quarters today.
Means New Treaty.
The controversy between Japan and
the United States over the Island of
Yap is in the form of a treaty and
includes all the islands over which
Japan has the mandate in addition to
Yam The pact has been approved by
the government heads, but announce
ment as to whether it was actually
signed was withheld.
AlthO the terms of the treaty were
held for an official announcement i'll
the daily communique of the Far East
ern committee, it was understood the
convention gives the United States GER
tain definite rights as to the island OF
Yap. including cable rights.
British To Go Home.
All the British delegates in the
armament conference with the eXcep
tion of Sir Auckland Geddes, Britain )
ambassador bEre, have arranged to
sail for home December 81 on the
stea mer Olympic, feeling that the
main issues of the conference VIII
have been disposed of by that time.
"Out of Washington by New Years"
was the aim of the delegates to the
armament conference as the epoch
making parley swung into its fifth
week today with its major purposes
accomplished.
on the surface of things today. it
appeared entirely probable that the
ambition of the delegates would be
realized and that the holidays would
see the departure of the big confer
en2e personages at least.
The program of China, Siberia and
the final adjustment of the naval pro-
gram laid down by Secretary of State
Hughes on the opening day, remain
to be cleared up.
Big Three Are In Session.
With regard to the naval program,
Tokio's answer was in the hands of
Baron Kato, head of the Japanese
delegation, and may be presented to
the other powers at secret meeting
of the big three" today. Tokio's an
sver is believed to be acceptance OF
the 5-5-3 capital ship ratio, insisted
upon by the United States, coupled
with a reservation preserving the
status quo of Notifications in the Pa
cific, and trade of some sort when
VIII permit Japan to retain the Matsu
her latest and most powerful dread
nauEht.
with regard to China. the powers
believe that most of what can be ac-
complished here has already been done
by the adoption of the four Root prfn-
ciples which pledge them not to nibble
any more at Chinese sovereignty and
to respect the open door policy OF
John Hay.
The Siberian question, it is believed,
can be disposed of in much the same
way-thru the adoption by the prin-
CiDal powers concerned of a set of
which VII be that they shall not take
advantage of existing conditions to
quietly appropriate Russian territory.
The question Of naval auxiliary
ships is one that the powers believe
will speedily adjust after the capital
ship ratio has been finally passed
upon.
China Alone Dissatisfied
AS matters now stand, it appears
probable that every one is in a fair
way to be satisfied with the work of
the conference with the exception of
China. 1t is significant that officials
have taken pains to point out in re-
cent days that the Chinese expect too
much"
Thru the adoption of the Root pro
posals, the eight powers having inter
ests in China have pledged themselves
TO respect Chinese sovereignty. OBJ
serve the open door, guarantee Chi
nese neutrality in future wars, ap-
proved the removal from Chinese ter
ritOry of some foreign infringements
upon Chinas administrative auton-
omy. and, in effect, promised to do
better all around"
The Ch nese, however, are frankly
disappointed.
1t is possible China may yet bolt the
conference. A great deal depends. it
is admitted, upon the state of popular
feeling in China. bolt would prob
ably save the faces of the Chinese
delegates with home folks and at the
same time would not necessarily mil
itate against the fulfillment of what
the conference already has pledged.
Meanwhile. the Far East discussions
were renewed today in secret by the
committee of the whole conference
Later in the day. the Chinese and Jap
anese were to renew their private ne
Continued on Page Five.I