The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-11-26
FAR EAST PROBLEM
is DISCUSSED AT
MEETING OF POWERS
Gradual Abolition of Extra.
Territorial Rights in
China Agreed to "In
Principle"
BY Associated Press

BY Associated Press
Washington, November 25.-Grad-
ual abolition of extra territorial
rights in China was agreed to lin
principle" today by the arms confer
ence, and an exhaustive examination
of the Chinese judicial system was
decided on to determine how rapidly
the change can be accomplished.
Sitting as committee of the whole
the delegates virtually decided in
executive session to put the investiga-
ton into the hands of an information
al commission or jurist, who would
visit China next year and report d.
to the ability OF the Chinese authori-
ties to take over the full administra-
ton of justice now exercised in large
part by foreign tribunals under the
extra territorial privilege
Formal Declaration
The step, to be contaminated to-
/ morrow by the adoption of a formal
i declaration of policy and an author
lzation for the investigation commits
sion, was regarded as virtually com
pleting the work of the conference
relating to extra territoriality. The
framing OF the resolution was left to
subcommittee headed by Senator
Lodge OF the American delegation,
with instructions TO report at tomor-
rows meeting.
During today's session the commit
tAa q veil a~a ffrv, n
the question OF postal autonomy for
China, but no decision had been
reached at adjournment. The argu-
raSnt OF China subjects was pre-
scented by DR.. SEE, the Chinese min
lister here, who declared the existence
OF foreign postal systems In China
was wholly without sanction in in
ternational law. His address was
marked by several expressions of gem
eral approval from the other dele
cations.
Friendly Feeling
Despite the cross-currents OF opin-
ion that have been manifest outside
the committee room. the meeting was
declared to have been characterized
by the greatest show OF friendly feel
Ing, and general satisfaction was ex-
pressed by the delegates at the at
mosphere OF the negotiations. Fer the
American delegation IL was decided
that nothing but the friendliest feel
ing had shown itself at the commit
tee table. and that whatever clashes
or opinion may have occurred were
confined TO individual opinions among
groups of delegates.
After the meeting some members
of the Chinese delegation gave diff
ferent versions of what their atti-
tude would be II Great Britain were
to insist on what has heen reported
to be her v'e~ of the four principles
laid down ff1tshe Roos resolution.
while some CHINESE members last
night had expressed the opinion that
they could do nothing but withdraw
from the conference II Great Britain's
reported view prevailed, Dr. Chung
Hui Wang, one of the delegates to-
day sought to soften those express
sfons and laid emphasis on state
ment that the Chinese had no clash
with the British At the same time,
spokesmen for the British delegation
discussing the Chinese question ex-
pressed views somewhat in modifica-
ton OF what was understood to pc
their position at previous discussions
Crux of Negotiations.
An indication that the crux of the
negotiations on the far east may be
reached before the committee dis
cussions go much further, developed
tonight when DIR. Wellington Koo, of
the Chinese delegation, announced
that he proposed to bring the ques-
lions of Shantung and twenty -one
demands" treaty before the commit
tee "at the first opportunity
The feeling in China. declared Or.
Koo, is so intense on these subjects
that the delegation feels IL must ask
for the complete return of Shantung
and abrogation OF the treaty of 1915.
even though the request leads to Sc
rious opposition from Japan. He in
Dictated that he would wait until the
principles involving these questions
were reached i'm natural order of com
mittee procedure, adding that he was
unable to tell how soon this oppor-
tunity might arise.
Today's discussion of extra terri
torial rights was based on state
ment presented by Chung Hui Wang,
chief justice of China. detailing con-
ditions and asking that action be
taken toward Improving and event
ually abolishing" the present sys-
tenn Later discussions among the
delegates was said to have revealed
a belief here that the Chinese judi
ciaI code was sound, and that the
only reason for continuance of for
eign courts was the doubt as to the
efficiency Of the Chinese administra-
ton.
Postal system.
In the consideration of the Chinese
postal administration, the Chinese
representatives were to have argued
that the postal service was one of
tho most efficient OF native fune-
tons The question OF foreign post.
offices was said to be of principal
interest to Japan. which was reported
to have more than 100 postal stations
throughout China The only Ameri-
can postal station is at Shanghai.
1t was indicated that China would
also urge control over telegraph and
radio communications as necessary
attribute OF domestic administration,
and a study OF that subject made at
a meeting late today of the four
American delegates, Maps and other
Information dealing with the cable
and radio facilities in the Pacific OF
this and other nations, were furnished
the American delegates by the navy
department.
In Japanese quarters 1T was said
tc light that Japan sympathized witt
China's request that foreign postof-
fices be aboli shed. but held that the
conditions must be studied before the