The New York herald., 1921-11-18
STORM BREWS OVER
CHINA'S POSITION
Delegation Prepared to Walk
Out of Conference Rather
Than Compromise.
JAPAN'S VIEW CHANGED
Kato Says Proposals Can BE
Accepted Only as Basis
for Discussion.
JAPAN'S VIEW CHANGED
Special Despatch to THE NEW York HERALD.

Special Despatch to THE NEW York HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington. ID. c., Nov. IL.
The proposals submitted yesterday by
repre- sentatives of the Pekin Govern
ment as a solution of the China problem
have developed reactions to-day which
threaten 10 disturb the hitherto peace
full sessions OF the conferences.
While intimations were thrown out
yesterday at Japanese headquarters that
the proposal might be accepted in prin-
ciple, that attitude changed to-day. Vice
Admiral Ton,asaburo Kato. head of the
Japanese delegation, was asked directly
IL the Japanese delegation accepted the
Chinese proposal in principle. just as the
suggestion for the limitation of arma-
ment had been accepted. His reply was
that the Japanese would accept the
Chinese proposal as the basis for dis
cusson before the conference.
While nothing so definite was forth
coming from the British delegation, it
was evident the brakes had been applied,
presumably due to the japanese attitude.
while the French, not so vitally inter-
ested but possessing large territorial
possessions in the East, unofficially in
dicated they regarded the Chinese pro-
poual as somewhat idealistic.
So far as the Chinese themselves are
concerned, they regard their proposal
with the utmost seriousness. They have
staked everything upon it and purpose
to so through with 1t. Cablegrams
poured in upon them to-day, advising
them to accept nothing less than this
plan and urging them to walk out OF the
conference if necessary.
Regardless of what secret Japanese
influences may pervade some elements
of the Pekin Government, 1t is not be-
lieved ii can be reflected here. There
is a large group Of influential Chinese
In Washington watching the delegation
with eagle eyes. If the delegates vince.
there will be prompt reports home and
despite its chaotic condition, China to-
day possesses very compelling public
opinion.
AS one of the Chinese spokesmen said
to-day the delegates would not dare
to go home II they surrendered the
position taken by them in their pro-
posal.
That determination to go through
with the propositions submitted by
them pervades the entire Chinese dele
CATION. 1t is pointed out that it was
much harder for the Chinese delegation
to walk out of the Versailles confer
ence than it will be here. Yet they
did so.
The meeting of the general commit
tee this afternoon was deferred on ac-
count of the sudden illness of Baron
Shidehara. the Japanese Ambassador,
who Is suffering from an attack of in
digestion
The decision to discuss the Chinese
proposals under the appropriate head
ings Of the agenda shows the manner
in which those proposals were made to
fit in with the advance programme.
The meeting Of the full committee
will be called as soon as Baron Shide-
hara has recovered from his indisposi-
ton The meeting will be of far reach
ing Importance and will develop the
lines upon which the debate over Far
Eastern questions will be conducted.