The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-12-03
CHINA GAINS
FIRST POINT
In STRUGGLE;
Arms Confere nc e
Agrees on With
drawal Of Foreign
Post Offices From
Chinese Soil
fBy the Associated Press)

Washington, Nov. 2S.-Taking its
first direct action toward the iber-
alton of China from foreign influ-
ences, the arms conference agreed
today on the withdrawal Of foreign
postoffices aid postal systems from
Chinese SOIL
The decision was conditioned only
on the maintenance by China OF
efficient postal facilities Of her
own, including retention Of the
present domestic organization by
which a French co-Girector gen
eral acts as advisor to the Chinesr
postal authorities. January 1. 1923,
virtually was agreed upon as the
date Of withdrawal, the Japanese
alone Withholding final approval
on that point pending consulta-
ton with Toxic.
Constituting the first concret,
application of the principle Of Chi
nese Administrative integrity as
delineated in the -four points" CT
Elihu Root, the postal agreement
is expected to be followed tomorrow
by another providing for gradual
abolition Of the system Of extra
territorial rights under which =.
dozen foreign governments have
set up their own courts in CHM,
ard by discussion Of China's re-
quest that foreign troops quartered
within her borders without treaty
sanction be withdrawn.
May Lead to Trouble.
The question Of troop with
drawal may lead the delegates into
some of the most troublesome
questions Of the Far East. Some
Of the forces which the Chinese
declare are in China without au-
thority are Japanese Guartered
along the lire of the Shantung
railway, and others are within the
debated Territory Of South Man
churia. Thus the negotiations
promise to touch upon the Shan
tung and 1Ianchurian controver-
sizes for the first time, although it
is considered Likely that the real
issues of these two problems will
be put over for discussion when the
conference takes UP, in the very
near future, the specific subject Of
railway leases.
Along with the foreign troop
question, which for the presens
does not deal with forces like the
legation guards at Pekin authorized
by treaty, the Chinese will ask for
consideration of the status Of
certain foreign telegraph and wire
less systems which they declare
exist IN China without her consent.
The general subject is expected
after round table discussion to so
to a subcommittee.
In Japanese quarters it was sai1
tonight that the Toxic government
was ready 10 withdraw its, troops
from the areas not covered by
treaty stipulations as soon as China
could insure the safety Of japanese
nationals and property within those
zones. Since the japanese forces
are more widely affected than
those Of any other nation by the
Chinese request, the attitude Of the
japanese delegates was taken as
forcasting at least a declaration Of
principle favorable to withdrawal.
Plans to Stop Opium.
Although the foreign govern
ments are so have a year Of grace
in which to prepare for withdrawal
of their postal systems from China.
one feature Of the agreement is eX-
pected to become effective as soon
as the conference confirms formal
" the sanction voted by the dele
gates today in committee Of the
whole. This section refers to the
introduction Of contraband into
Chinese territory through the for
eign mails, and gives Chinese Gus
toms authorities the right to search
mail matter they may suspect.
No explanation Of the search
clause was contained in the Off
cial announcement Of the agree
rnent, but it was understood to have
been inserted after the Chinese had
charged that large quantities OF
opium were being carried through
China in the foreign post in con-
travention Of the anti-opium law.
The retention of the present French
co-director. N. Picard-Destelan. II
was said, was stipulated solely in
the interest Of efficient operation
of the Chinese postal system. and
so that China would have the ben
eft of foreign experts and advice
without foreign domination.
The declaration to be presented
tomorrow on extra territoriali-,. ;.
vas drafted today by subcom
mittee headed by Senator Lodge
Of the America delegation and pro
vides for the appointment OF an
international commission OF Jurlsts
TO make a study Of the Chinese
courts before the foreign tribunals
are withdrawn. Under the resolu-
ton as drawn up by the govern
ments of Spain, Norway. Sweden
and Denmark, which haze courts
in China but are not represented
here would be invited to JOIN Ill
the decisions Of the washington
conference.
1t has been 1877 years since Geo