The Morgan County press. (Wartburg, Tenn.) 1916-1926, 1921-12-16
An Attempt to Solve Two Issues
Brings Trouble to Farley
Leaders.
RATIO MATTER IS PUT AHEAD
China to Negotiate on Two Demands
Only, Vested interests and That
Japanese Troops Must Get
Out-Deadlock On.

Washington, Dec. BIN an attempt
to solve two issues which have now
become so acute as to endanger the
success of the Big Three, Secretary
Hughes, Mr.. Balfour and Admiral Ba-
ron Kato met to discuss the ratio of
5-5-3. At another hour Secretary
Hughes and Mr.. Balfour met with the
Japanese and Chinese delegates at the
first Of the Chino-Japanese special
meetings to discuss outside the confer
ence the Shantung settlement.
1t was decided by the Big Three that
it would be better to get the ratio mat
ter definitely and absolutely settled
between the three naval powers before
taking up at all the naval ideas OF
France and Italy.
Further information from England
confirms the belief that Lloyd George
will not come over here to take part in
the discussions now going on. That
would be an anti-climax. If he comes
at all it will be on some question to be
raised at the end of the present
agenda, presumably the economic Ques-
ton.
Indeed, a hint in that general direc-
ton was given when member OF the
Italian delegation expressed the belief
that the United States Is the only
country In the world that can give
lead to Europe on the way out of her
economic chaos.
The Chinese arms conference dele
cation in the direct negotiations on the
Shantung question, will, according to
Chinese spokesman, proceed on the
basis that there are only two points
on which China is prepared to negoti-
ate and that these are Japan's demand
that TsingTao be declared an open
port and Japan's demand that vested
interest be respected. The latter would
be only partially susceptible to negoti-
alton.
China, it was stated, cannot negoti-
ate control of the Tsing-Tao-Tsinaufu
railroad and has not receded from her
position taken at Versailles that Shan
tung be Internationally returned by
Japan.
One of the first acts necessary for
successful outcome Of the present ne
gotiations, according to- the Chinese,
would be the withdrawal Of troops by
the Japanese. The presence of Japan
csc troops on whatever basis 1t was
contended, strikes at the heart of
China's ability to exercise sovereign
Control over the Shantung province.
The Chinese people, it was said, are
adamant in their demand for uncondi-
tional return to China of the Kaichau
leasehold Certainly, it was contended,
the Chinese delegation could not bar
ter control of the so-called Shantung
railway, which is, after all, considered
the crux of the entire controversy.
While the Chinese, 1t was said,
would be willing to afford the utmost
protection to japanese or other for
eign capital in the railroad, even to
the extent of placing the actual opera
ton and management in the hands OF
foreign experts, China could not diviue
with another nation authority which
would involve its control over the ply
steal property in time of emergency or
otherwise.
/! Request that the American arma-
ment conference delegation take no
action involving the Philippine islands
without calling into its council the
Philippine commissioner In Washing
ton is contained in joint resolution
of the legislature Of the islands cabled
to the War department.
The resolution was sent to the War
department by Governor General
Wood, acting upon the request of the
legislature.
The situation resulting from Japan's
formal proposal that the 60 per cent
naval ratio allotted her under the
American limitation plan be increased
to 20 per cent, was regarded by Amer
lem officials as a delicate one, but not
without hope that her spokesman ultf.
mately would accept the original plan.
entirely removed from the stage of
technical discussion as to the basis of
calculating the naval ratios on present
feet strength, the question through
the formal request Of Baron Admiral
Kato, senior japanese delegate, that
the increased ratio be recognized as
necessary to Japan's security, had be-
come matter of policy for settlement
by the plenary delegates Of the pow
prs and not by their technical advisers.
The proposal on this ground, 1t is
Known. has been presented personally
" Baron Kato to Secretary Hughes