The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-11-23
HERE is MORE ABOUT
ARMS CONFERENCE
STARTs ON PAGE ONE


Thus FAR that subject has not been
mentioned in the conference proper.
The sub committee on Chinese ad-
ministrative autonomy. authorized to-
day by the full body OF delegates Of
the nine nations sitting as a commit
tee Of the whole on the far east, is ex-
pected to find its chief task in an at
tempted Encouragement of the customs
regulations which for many years kept
China from imposing duty Of more
than per cent on her imports. In
addition, there is expected to be an In
quiry into the various international
agreements by which certain specified
items Of the republics tax returns must
be turned over Immediately for pay
ment of foreign obligations.
All OF these restrictions, the Chinese
declare, have resulted in such a cur
tailment OF national revenues as to
make economic progress impossible.
Since the conference began the Chi
nese delegates have emphasized the
tariff autonomy principle as one Of the
most important she wished to estab-
lish. and there are said to have been
indications in today's discussions that
this view had met with much sympa-
thy among the other delegations.
The subcommittee, whose member
ship is yet to be announced, was au-
rhorized at the suggestion Of Senator
Underwood of the American delega-
ton, and he generally is expected to
become the American member of the
new body. A former chairman OF the
house ways and means committee, and
co-author of the existing tariff law, he
is recognized as an authority on ques-
tons such as those with which the
subcommittee win deal.
Although the delegates have not yet
taken up some of the most troublesome
questions involved in the far eastern
situation, as the progress made thus
far was described in official quarters
here tonight as highly encouraging. So
rapidly and smoothly have the nego-
tiations moved thus far that some of
those connected with the American dell
egation who at first thought definite
agreements unlikely, now are predict
ing that the conference will go a long
way toward clearing up the whole far
eastern tangle.
The probable procedure of the CON
ference with reference to Chinese and
other far eastern and Pacific questions.
was forecast today in authoritative
quarters. The Root resolution adopted
yesterday by the far eastern commit
tee OF the whole, together with any
adopted in the future ii was said,
would be brought before plenary ses-
sion of the open conference for final
discussion and adoption. Other reso-
lutions or Pacific and far eastern ques-
lions are said to be in prospect.
Adoption of the Root resolution by
the committee, American officials said
was in itself a far step toward pro-
lection in China, even should it not be
taken before plenary session, as is
planned. Publication of the Root res
olution as an expression of policy by
the powers. it was asserted. carried
with it a promise to the world of future
action with respect to Chinese terri
toriaI and political sovereignty.
The subject Of future procedure on
other Chinese questions is to be de-
veloped further at another meeting of
the far eastern committee of the whole
tomorrow II was learned today that
suggestion for a general sub commit
tee OF two experts representing each OF
the nine powers was rejected at the
suggestion of Senator Lodge, of the
American delegation, who was said to
have arkued that Chinese questions
were not matters, for experts, and
that the representatives of the powers
themselves were responsible directly
for any action taken. His objee-
tons were said to have been sup
ported by Mr.. Balfcur and Premier
BRAND
Questions relating to Shantung, Man
ohuria and foreign treaty and other
concessions in China, it was said, by
delegates today, probably soon would
be reached by the committee, promising
some of the most interesting and prob
ably protracted discussions of the con-
ference, 1t was said that so far no hint
as to the Chinese attitude regarding
Shantung had been received by Amer
lean officials. although limitations had
come that the Japanese were disposed
to insist on retention and protection of
their rights and privileges in Manchu-
ria, whore Japanese concerns have
large investments.