Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-11-25
POWERS YIELD
ON ONE POINT
IN CHINA ISSUE
Agree to Abolish Sys-
tenn of Extraterri-
tOriality.
A GRADUAL MOVE
To Withdraw as Ma
ton Shows Ability
to Take Charge.
A GRADUAL MOVE
BY GEORGE K. HOLMES.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 25.-A de-
cision was reached by the confer
, ence powers, meeting in secret ses-
sion here today, that the system OF
extraterritoriality imposed upon
China by the treaty powers is Trong
and should be abolished.
The extraterritoriality system under
which foreign nations have set UP their
own courts and exerciSed Jurisdiction over
their own nationals Oh Chinese soil, will
not be abolished Immediately, but an
agreement was reached that II will grad
ually be abandoned as China displays m
ability TO handle such matters herself.
A resolution was drawn up and was
approved "in principle" by all OF the
powers assembled, IL was learned, after
speeches had been made defining each
nations position on the question. Spokes-
men for the Chinese delegation made
long. ardent plea for the abolition Of the
system.
MORAL VICTORY
FOR THE CHINESE.
The decision constitutes nt least IA
moral victory for the Chinese. They
pleaded for the abolition Of the system
at Paris and We're turned down.
The results Of the decision, however.
VIII not be apparent at once. Il IS under
stood. While agreeing 10 the principle
Of abolition of the system. the powers
concerned will make an Investigation Of
China's whole judicial system before
actually giving up the right to try their
own nationals before their own cOnsuls
and judges.
TINE REQUIRED
TO ABOLISH SYSTEM.
Il was generally predicted that It Will
take some years 10 completely abolish
the system.
A subcommittee Of the conference Will
be appointed to study the question at
length and bring IN a program. A reso-
luton covering the entire matter VIII be
written and presented to the conference
by Senator Henry Cabot Lodge Of the
American delegation.
The system Of extraterrltoriality IS one
that the Chinese people have protested
against for years. always unsuccessfully.
Il antedated the Boxer troubles and some
observers attributed those disorders to
be due in no small part to the evils Of
the system. While 1t has been admitted
by the foreign powers that the system
was wrong. and an Infringement on Chi
nese sovereignty, they nevertheless have
justified Il on the grounds OF China's IN
competent court and judicial systems.
CO1IMENIQCE
ISSUED AT CLOSE.
The following official communiqus was
issued after the session broke up:
"The committee on Pacific and Far
Eastern questions met in the Pan-Amer-
lean Union building today at IL a. m. All
Of the delegates were present except Sen
ator Media, Baron Shidehara, VI. Sarraut
and Lord Lee.
'At the opening Of the session Mr..
Hughes expressed his great regret at the
appearance Of q. report in a Washington
paper Of alleged happenings in the last
meeting Of the committee. The report Of
antagonism with Mr.. Balfour was not
only untrue, but grotesque and did him
the greatest injustice; Mr. Hughes could
not ina gine how much rumor had got
ten into circulation. Mr.. Balfour ex-
pressed his great appreciation of Mr..
Hughes statement. He had never
doubted that Mr.. Hughes would take the
view he had Just stated, but the manner
and words in which that view had been
put before the committee had deeply
moved him and he wished to express his
thanks.
After a discussion. It was decided to
appoint n subcommittee to investigate
and report in regard TO the question Of
extraterritoriality in China.
''In regard to this subject, Mr.. Wang
Chung Hui, chief Justice OF the supreme
court Of China, made a statement which
Will appear later. The committee then
discussed the question Of foreign post
offices in China, the Chinese minister, Mr.
SEE, making a statement which Will sub
sequenly be made public. The COM
mittee then adjourned to meet at 10 80
o'clock Saturday mcrning, Nov. 26'