Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-11-29
AGREEMENT ON
POSTAL RIGHTS
PLEASES CHINA
Withdrawal of Unfair COmpe-
titiOn Helps Nation Con-
siderably.
TAX LIMIT is IRKSOME
BY WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN.

BY WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 29.-The agree
ment reached by the nine powers to give
up postal privileges in China will great
ly delight the Chinese people and greatly
encourage the government at Pekin.
The presence of postOffices conducted
by foreign governments has been more
than a modification; it has been a real
injury to the home government. China
has had competitors in matter which
in other countries is the government
monopoly.
The agreement to withdraw these priv
ileges is Il harmony with the spirit of
the conference; it is additional proof that
the Keynote struck by Secretary Hughes
on the first day Of the session is to run
through the entire proceedings. While
China is securing numerous concessions,
it must be remembered that she had
large number of grievances.
PROTESTS LIMIT
ON CUSTOM DUTIES.
One of the most obnoxious limitations
against which she protests Is the re-
striction placed upon her custom duties.
One Uf her early treaties restraints her
from levying tariff of more than five
per cent on imports. OF course, she never
entered into any such treaty voluntarily
no nation would Of her own volitlon
power. AS soon as this treaty was pub
lished all the other nations, great aud
small claimed the same privilege under
the most favored clause"
If the spirit thus far manifested con
tinues to dominate the conference, there
will be a modification Of this restriction.
In fact, China may expect removal OF
all determinations that interfere with her
legitimate aspirations.
LAND ARMAMENTS
QUESTION HELD Up,
The question OF land ornaments seems
to be in q state Of suspended animation.
It awaits news from Germany or the an
nouncement Of some form of assurance
which VIII allay the fears Of France.
The association of nations plan grows
apace. Ex-senator SUI herland, who is
close TO the American delegation, explains
that the form of cooperation favored is
not in line with the covenant Of the
League Of Nations. 1t does not cOntem-
plate the exercise Of force; the finding.
II such there be, will not be binding on
the nations. Its influence will be moral
rather than physical. Its worth viii be
measured by the extent TO which the con-
ference generates the worlds disposition
toward peace mentioned by Secretary
Hughes.
OTHER TREATIES
ARE SIMILAR.
The treaties negotiated by the United
States with thirty nations were built
upon the Same plan. They provided for
the investigation Of all questions Of every
kind and character that defed diplo-
matte settlement, and they pledged the
nations TO a years time for Investigation
and report. But they expressly reserved
to the contracting parties the right Of in
dependent action at the conclusion OF
the investigation. This reservation of in
dependent action was omitted from the
covenant OF the League Of Nations Ar
ticle 10. which was substituted for this
reservation, was largely responsible for
the opposition to the covenant.
President Harding could hardly be ex-
pected to propose a plan containing any
provision resembling Article 10, but he
can, with entire consistency, offer
plan in harmony with the thirty treaties
because the Senate unanimously Endorsed
these treaties.-Copyright, 1921, by United
Press.