New-York tribune., 1921-11-17
Raising of Open Door Is
sue Regarded as Put
ting Under Way Debate
or Far East Questions
Discussion of Debt
Is Now Improbable
Balfour Delegation Holds
Land Armament Issue
French-Italian Problem
By Boyden Sparkes

WASHINGTON, Nov. 16.-The Brit
ish delegation let it be known tonight
that Great Britain finds China's pro-
posals convenient means of begin
ming the discussion of problems of the
Pacific and Far East. The British at
tltude seems to be that China has
asked for a great deal more than she
expects to get, but that these princi-
Piles can become the basis of general
agreement.
1t was also made clear that Great
Britain's aim at this conference with
respect to Pacific questions is to bring
into being tripartite agreement to
which Japan, the United States and
Great Britain would subscribe. The
purpose of such an agreement, in no
sense an alliance, would be to keep
the three powers OF the Pacific in har-
mony. The British view is that the
open door policy for China is an essen
tlai part of any such agreement
The triparite agreement for the
maintenance of peace in the Far East,
BRUSH statesmen are understood to
believe, would make unnecessary con-
tinued existence Of the Anglo Japanese
alliance.
The chief delegates of the nine par
ties 10 the conference are to devote
themselves tomorrow to discussion
of the Chinese proposals, in the course
OF which they are to arrange and
classify the ten points of the Chinese
statement in the best order for CON
sloeratlon by the conference. During
TINS discussion it is expected the Brit
outlined to the other delegates.
Balfour and BRAND
Both French and British statesmen
Indicated to-day that they felt the
Work OF the conference had bee speed
ed by the act of the Chinese delegation,
out the French seemed to find more
satisfaction in the statement than the
British. '"A'' 'ie
There seems to be difference of
opinion between M. BRAND and Mr..
baltour concerning the agenda of the
conference. M. BRAND said Yesterday
that he would bring the question Of
land armament before the delegates.
The British feeling, as revealed today.
Is that land armament discussion
would delay the work for which the
conference was called and would make
the conference heir to all the trouble
some questions raised by the Treaty
of Versailles. Besides, the British
say, limitation of land armament is is
already under consideration by the
League of Nations.
Land armament, the British hold is
{, matter for adjustment between the
french and Italians, but the British
recognize that the peoples Of the Con-
tlnent are groaning beneath the we1rht
OF military burdens and are lust as
eager to shift those burdens as are the
taxpayers of Great Britain.
Experts Word Awaited
The naval holiday idea, however, is
one which appeals to the leaders of the
British delegation with increasing
force. The British are strongly in
1avor OF every economy and would be
deeply disappointed if the naval ex-
perts report that the naval holiday
scheme is not practical. On high Brit
ish authority it may be said that there
is no desire, now at least, to arrange
for the building of a battleship year
in order to keep dock yards going
That, one British statesman said
would be but naval half holiday. But
the whole scheme is one for naval ex-
perts to agree upon before diplomats
may have their say.
Two other British viewpoints were
made clear to-day. England will not
bring up the question of Panama Cana
tolls at this conference. Neither does
she desire to have considered at the
present conference the question of
international debts. In the first place
it was pointed out, there was no sug-
gestlon of discussion of international
debts in the call for the conference
issued by the United States.
Therefore the British delegation
came to America without financial ex.
perts, who would be utterly essential
| if this problem was considered. Furth.
ermore, the British delegates have had
no notice that the United States
wishes to discuss the debt question ut
this time.
| There is another point where the
British and the French are not in ac-
cord. When Premier BRAND landed in
New York November it became known
that the French delegation held tina,
the interests of their country concen-
| trate upon land armaments The
| French hold that German reparations
and military questions are closely re.
| lated to when and how France can be-
gin to meet her American debt. The
French also let it be known that they
were prepared to discuss the subject OF
| indebtedness.