The New York herald., 1921-11-28
ROOTS FOUR POINTS
GIVE HOPE TO CHINA
Looked Upon as Foundation
for Reforms That Will Cause
Many Reversals.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 27 (Associated
Press) The fun significance OF the
American "four points proposed by
Elihu Root and adopted by the arms
conference to guide its discussions re-
lating to China is coming to be better
understood as the Far Eastern negoti-
ations pass through the accepted in
principle" stage and approach decisions
on specific subjects.
At first regarded as largely a reitera-
tion Of general principles which had
long been sanctioned on paper by all
the Powers. the -four points" have, in
fact, become become the foundation on
which China's friends in the conference
hope to erect a system Of reforms that
Will in many respects reverse completely
the practices Of the past and present.
In this far reaching development the
American delegation has taken the lead
ership by making known in decisive
manner that it regards the Root resolu-
ton as something vastly more than a
few finely turned diplomatic phrases.
The American position Is that by ac-
cepting the -four points the partici-
pating nations have bound themselves
solcmnly to apply in a concrete way the
long profo.sed principles of fair dealing
toward China, and to proceed without
subterfuge to give China as great de-
gree Of independence as conditions will
warrant.
Powerful support from outside the
American delegation has strengthened
m
sions of tariff autonomy. extraterritorial-
ity and postal rights the trend Of the ne
gotiations never has been permitted to
stray for fran the Root platform. In
every case proposed solutions have been
scrutinized in the light OF appropriate
sections OF the -four points" with the
result that the four American principles
have become in fact as well as in name
the dominating element Of the discus
sions.
How this method of procedure will af-
feet such troublesome problems as Shan
tung. Manchuria and the "twenty-one
demands" If they come before the con-
ference il yet to be estimated. II liz
pointed out that the Root principles were
cast in broad terms IN their references
to Chinese integrity. the open door
and special privileges, but no one who
can speak authoritatively has been will
ing to volunteer an Interpretation OF
these references as they apply to spe-
cific questions not yet before the con-
ference.
With the questions Of extraterritoriai-
ity and postal rights to be disposed of
tomorrow through specific declarations
now in preparation by subcommlttees
there was an expectation in some quar-
ers tonight that the subject of leasea,
including those held by Japan in Shan
iung and Manchuria, might be brought
up for discussion in the near future.
Ctina's delegates have declared their in
tention to bring the Shantung and Man
churian problems TO the attention OF the
conference as soon rs occasion offered.
and Japan has Indicated repeatedly that
sho does not regard these subjects as
within the province OF the negotiations.
The attitude of the other nations has not
been defined, but It is expected that some
feature of the -four points" will be
brought forward TO guide in a decision.
Meantime the delegates are hearing
many ruinors of an attempt to obtain
an agreement on Shantung at least out
side the conference. Such develop
nent apparently would be welcomed by
all the Powers. but their spokesmcn APP
,ear sliepticai as TO It's probability.
In its consideration of China's plight,
! X was eXpidlncu tc-Hignt III dutuoIilh-
tive quarters, the conference Is consid-
ring the situation as divided roughly
lrto three sections.
First, there has been grouping OF
all The sovereign rights that China still
retains, with general agreement that all
Of these must be preserved to her.
In the second group have been placed
il the rights that are In dispute as a
result OF various treaties and other
agreements. with the understanding that
these will be restored to China In as
sreat degree as appears possible.
The third group comprises rights that
China declares have been seized from
nor without any prctext and which Il is
the desire of the conference TO give back
unless valid -,2sons can be- produced
20 the contrary.
Under the -four points" accepted by
The Powers Il was said. the conference
would be bound to enlarge the first OF
these three groups se much ms present
conditions warrant. II IL realized thai
IN this process considerable time may
he required for Investigations OF fact.
and that In the end each nation h. lts
sovereign right must judge for itseif
wha. it's procedure will he. But II Is
,l,e exncctation OF the American dele
cation. at least. that the ".our points
mus. become tho yardstcli By which
these decisions are measured.