Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1921-12-04
JAPAN WANTS
To KEEP PORT
ARTHUR RIGHTS
Proposals Conditional
but Are Declared to
Be Great Concession.
S h ort Adjournment
Taken to Frame Plans
Regarding Shantung.

Washington, Dec. 3.-(By The Asso
ciated Press. )-The japanese delega-
ton Saturday declared before the com
mittee on far, eastern questions of the
Washington conference that japan has
no intention at present of "reiinquish-
ing the important rights she has law
fully acquired in Port Arthur. This
decision, it was explained, was based
on rights acquired from Russia, with
the added virtual consent of the United
States, France and Great Britain, at
the same time Of the formation of the
international consortium.
Give Up Territory
Emancipation of China from foreign
control was said to have moved for
ward considerably Saturday at con-
ference of the nine powers through
proposals from Japan, Great Britain
and France for REIMBURSEMENT of large
and important areas Of their leasd
territory in China.
The proffers of the three powers
were conditional and limited. not in
Guiding all their leased areas, but were
declared officially to be one Of the
most important developments of the
Ear Eastern conference.
Definite undertakings were deferred
for further discussion at the next meet
ing of the Far Eastern committee next
Wednesday, three days adjournment
being taken so that the discussions be-
tween China and Japan on Shantung
and the studies of subcommittee on
other Chinse questions could proceed
The conference delegates also desired
to attend the opening Germ monies of con-
gress next week.
TVhou tho urYnSti0D on tho c8Dfprnnap
agenda of removal of special spheres
of influence in China was brought up
France offered to relinquish her leased
territory of Kwang Chow providing
similar concessions would be made by
other powers having such special
spheres of influence. Japan followed
with the proposal Of an offer to re1in
quish her leased territory in Shantung
and Great Britain come in with ap.
peal to relinquish the British leased
territory of Wei Hal Wei.
Offers Conditional
, All of the offers except that of
Japan concerning Kiao-Chou were
conditional upon cessations of leased
territory by the other powers and also
upon performance by China Of certain
condition which, delegates declared,
probably would be met. Japan, Mr..
Hanihara said, stood on her former Of
fAIs to give up kiao- Chou, on the
basis Of her position outlined in her
notes to Peking.
Objections were presented by Japan
to REIMBURSEMENT Of her leased terri
tory in south Manchuria and by Great
Britain to release of Kailow, opposite
the open treaty port of Hong Kong.
British representatives contended that
Kajlow was an important factor in
protection of the port of Hong Kong
and in insuring it's retention as an
open port.
The only Asased territory which re-
mained for discussion as far as Japan
was concerned, Mr.. Hanihara told the
committee, was the Kwantung prov
ince, Or Port Arthur and Dairen.
"As to that territory" he declared,
"the japanese delegates decree to
make it clear that Japan has no in
tention at present to relinquish the
important rights she has lawfully ac
quired and at no small sacrifice. The
territory in question forms a part of
Manchuria, q region where. by reason
of it's close propinquity to Japan's ter
ritory more than anything else, she
has vital interests in that which re-
lates to the commercial life and ma
tional safety.
Protect Japanese Rights
"This fact was recognized and as
surance was given by the American
British and French governments at the |
time of the formation of the inter
national consortium that these vital
interests Of Japan in the region in
question shall be safeguarded."
The United States, according to re-
ports, expressed a sympathetic atti-
tude toward Chinese aspirations for !
return Of the leased areas, but Amer
lea having no leased territory, was
said not to be concerned directly in
this phase of the discussions.
Confidence was expressed in Ameri- |
can quarters Saturday night, however,
that through other meetings an agree
ment would develop for REIMBURSEMENT |
of several of the leased areas and !,
understandings in the future admins
tration of the rest.