Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1921-12-26

Delegates
Optimistic
Confidence Expressed That
Agreement on Naval Limi-
talion Will Be Reached
This Week.
Others View Dark Side
BY ARTHUR SEARS HENNING.
Chicago Tribune Omaha lice Leased Wire.

Washington, Dee. 2s.--Confldcncc
that the agreement on the reduction
and limitation OF navel armaments
could be completed this week and
sealed at plenary session OF the in
terpational conference was express
ed toniah, by members OF the Amer.
lean delegation.
The American delegates arc also
confident this agreement will include
limitation oi submarine tonnage.
which may represent compromise
between the 10000 tons proposed
Yesterday by Secretary OF State
Hughes Tor Great Britain and the
United States. and the 10000 tons
of the original Hughes plan with
proportionate allowances for France,
Italy and Japan.
Such confidence is not shared by
members Of other delegations, not
ably the British. who regard the sub
marine controversy as tangle which
will not easily be Strengthened out
Some of the British representatives
are extremely pessimistic. inclining
TO the belief that no settlement is
possible and that the conference will
find it necessary to leave submae
rines out of the limitation agree
ment, with each nation permitted TO
build as many as it may deem adc
quate for defense
Await Word From Paris.
French delegates said they would
not be ready to state their position
on the latest Hughes proposal until
after hearing from Paris, probably
tomorrow. Mr.. Hughes proposes
that France be allowed to maintain
its present submarine strength oi
approximately $1,000 tons. The
French pronounce this unsatisfactory.
insisting that a maximum approx
mating 100000 tons is necessary for
the protection of France and its
colonies.
The Japanese also are far from
satisfied with the $1,000 tons allow
ance of the Hughes proposal. They
want the $4,000 tons maximum Of the
original Hughes plan and will join
hands with France in fighting the
new proposition, which is supported
by Great Britain Internationally and
by Italy in principle.
When the naval limitation agree
ment is completed the conference
bwill resume consideration aef the
problems affecting China and the
far east.
Events in China connected with
the institution OF the so-called die
tatorship of Gen. Chang Tso Lin, the
super-Tuchun and inspector general
of the three provinces of Manchuria,
and the resignation Of the Pekin
cabinet are regarded in conference
quarters as vindication of the posi-
ton taken by the powers when they
adopted the Root principles as a
chart for their future attitude toward
China.
Oppose Concessions.
When the conference adopted the
Root declaration of principles it was
with the idea of doing something der
mite toward removal of foreign re-
strictions on Chinese sovereignty, III
dependence and national adnlinistra-
tive autonomy. But the representa-
tives of the eight nations other than
China participating in the confer
ence have come to the conclusion
that China is not yet ready to re.
ceive concessions by the powers
amounting to quick and immediate
application of the Root principles.
The declared attitude of the pleni-
potentiaries in the conference has
been to remove limitations upon
China's. administrative freedom and
independence of action just as soon
as that can be done without disrc-
gard for the fundamental principles
of safety for foreign lives and prop
erty in China, and when China is
ready to afford such guarantees.
The case with which General
Chang Iso Lin of Manchuria, after
his arrival in Pekin on December
Is, was able to effect the removal
of the Chinese cabinet and take
charge of the government was mere.
ly another demonstration of the pow
er of the super-Tuchuns in China
and evidence of the fact that the
real powers in the Chinese republic
are the Tuchuns or military COVER
nors of the various provinces.
The central government is unable
to exert itself in opposition to the
power of the Tuehuns, and those
who know the facts respecting China
assert the system of Tuchuns, great
and small, not the central govern-
ment at Pekin, dominates the pres
ent situation.
The three real powers in China
today are thestl1rec superior Tuchun.
or military inspectors general OF the
provinces. If they unite their forces
and pull together they can dominate
the situation for good or evil. Should
they SO unite on the basis ci pro-
gram OF unihcation, financial rehab-
,lltation and honest administration,
ii would be the best thing that could
happen in China.
Should they fail to unite, and il i
rather doubtful now that they will
work in compete harmony, IL at all,
there is no telling what may,happcn
IN the Chinese republic. Chaos, civil
war and starvation would result
should the super-Tuchuns fight one
another.