Evening star., 1921-12-10

progress nae Deen maQ6 In the WOfk
of the committee appointed to deal
with Pacific and far eastern questions.
That committee, in accordance. with
the procedure recommended by the
standing committee on program and
procedure. at first permitted general
discussion Of the question before the
committee and then proceeded to
take up the topics specially indicated
under the head Of Pacific and far
eastern questions in the tentative
agenda proposed by the American
government
"The first subject considered was
China In the course of the general
discussion most important declarations
were made on behalf Of the powers
tions to respect the sovereignty, In
dependence and administrative integ-
rity Of China, and also to observe as
among themselves the principle OF
fair and equal opportunity.
1T seemed to the committee advis-
able that before proceeding to a con-
sideration of particular matters, in
referred, this general statement or
intention. that is. the sense OF the
committee with respect to the mat :
ters, which had been discussed. should
be formulated in q definite statement
Of principle.
Root Prepares Statement.
Accordingly. at the request OF the
committee. Mr.. Root prepared a state
mene Of these principles, and the COM
nittee in a resolution adopted them.
recommending statement for formal
adoption by the conference.
There was general discussion IN
the committee, and as all the dele
gates to the conference are members
Of that committee. I assume that 1t is
not desired that there should be a
general discussion. But it is impor-
tant. 1 take it. that at this oppor-
tunity, the first one that has been pre-
sented since the action OF the com .
mittee, the recommendation OF the
committee should be acted upon by
this conference.
THE resolution adopted by the COM
mittee and recommended, as I have
said, is this:
"It is the firm intention Of the
powers attending this conference
hereinafter mentioned, to VII. tine
United States of America. Beigium,
the British Empire, France, Italy,
japan. the Netherlands and Portugal:
Respect Integrity OF China.
-. To respect the sovereignty, the
independence and the territorial and
administrative integrity of China
"'2. To provide the fullest and most
unembarrassed opportunity to China
to develop and to maintain for herself
an effective and stable government.
"'3. To use their influence for the
purpose of effectually establishing
and maintaining the principle Of equal
opportunities for the commerce and
industry of all nations throughout
the territory of China, and
-. To refrain from taking advan-
tage of the present conditions in or
der to seek special rights or priv :
leges which would abridge the right
states and from countenancing action
inimicable to the security OF certain
states
Charter Of Assurance.
at is hardly necessary to point out
the great importance of this deciara-
ton. 1t is, in truth. charter con-
tanning an assuranc to China OF pro-
lection from acts OF derogatlon OF
her sovereignty and independence and
administrative autonomy and also an
assurance that as between the pow =
ers there shall be a careful observ.
ance of the principle of free and
equal opportunity in matters relating
to China and that no one viii seek
special advantages or privheees II
the expense of the rights of others.
"As ] have said. this mas peen SO
fully discussed by the delegates that
| assume that all that is necessary Is
to have your formal assent recorded
here In the proceedings Of the CONFER
ence, and while this declaration Is a
declaration of the powers. other than
China. think it would be quite ap-
proprfates as it is a resolution pre-
scented to the conference. to invite
China~s assent as well. and il this
course is agreeable to you. 1 shall
ask for the assent of the powers TO
this resolution.
"E call for the assent of the powers
through their representatives.
The committee on Pacine ana iaI
of this Recommendation, proceeded to
deal with the matters listed on tine
agenda, proposed by the American
"The first of these. in relation to
China, were territorial and admin
istrative integrity. As the first prin-
ciple adopted fully covered, so Tar as
a general statement could cover it
that matter. the committee proceeded
to deal with special instances wntcn
were brought to it's attention. That
is to say, special matter which
seemed to call for consideration In
the application of this principle.
Prosecutions Preselted for China.
..In the course of the discussion be-
fore the committee, that is. the gen
eral discussion. there had been pre-
sented on behalf OF China q series Of
PROPOSITIONS for the consideration OF
the COMMITTEES; one of them. the nftn
proposition, was that immedlaSeay, o.
as soon as circumstances would per
init, existing limitations upon China
political jurisdictional and admin
istrative freedom Of action were to
Especial instances of the limitations
which were in contemplation In the
presentation Of these propositions
were brought to the attention Of the
committee by the representatives OF
China.
"The first Of these was the subject
of extraterritoriality, and after q fuil
discussion of that matter resolution
was adopted by the committee
and may interrapt 1,!sa y. 10 aa neIs - an. re
pear in the record that the resolution
embodying the four principles, pre-.
pared by Mr.. Root. as have stated
was adopted by the committee NO.
yember 81, 1891, as that Is . date tc
which references IL made In other
actions Of the committee?
Resolutisn Ia Ado0ted.
The committee. as I have said. con-
sidered this special action OF iimfta.
tion Of the autonomy of China. and
after q full discussion on November .
adopted the following resolution with
respect to extraterritoriality:
The representatives Of the powers
hereinafter named. participating In
the discussion OF the Pacific and TAI
eastern questions, in the conferences
on the limitation Of armaments-te
wit. the United States OF America
Belgium, the British empire. France
Italy, Japan, the Netherlands and
Portugal
craving. taken note OF the fact. tia,
In the treaty between Great Britain
and China dated Saptemher s, 1907 In