Evening star., 1922-01-21
DELAY SHOWDOWN,
DISCUSSING SCOPE
Powers Offer No Obstacle to
Move for Disclosure of
Deals in China.

Discussion of the scope Of the pro-
posed resolution calling for a show
-down'b by all the powers participating
In the Washington conference of ex-
isting commitments relating to China
prevented action on the resolution
yesterday afternoon by the far east
committee. It was. announced fol-
lowing the meeting that, while ques-
tions had been raised regarding the
details of the resolution, no opposi-
tiOn to the adoption of the resolu-
ton was manifested
The Japanese delegation, discussing
the proposal to include in the lists
various cor anercial agreements en-
tered into Getween the Chinese au-
thorities and private individuals, ma
tionals of other countries, suggested
that 1t would be very difficult to
make q complete list Of such agree
ments.
Chinese Suggest Broad Scope.
In the view of the Chinese the
commitments to which foreign indi-
viduals and not foreign governments
are parties include some of the most
important of those now exercising an
influence on .China's development.
Many Of the railroad and loan agree
ments, they say, are of that char
acter, making it requisite that the
resolution be of the broadest possible
scope If it is to accomplish the show
down" sought by the American dele
cation.
The far east committee. however,
adopted a resolution expressing the
hope that China would soon reduce
the large armies now maintained in
Sfn nj
resolution came from the tariff sub
committee, headed by Senator Under
wood, and was drafted because OF
the view expressed that China should
not waste revenues upon maintaining
large standing armies.
ton, Sir Robert Borden, the Canadian
representative in the British dele.
CATION, gave a detailed description OF
the manner in which armies are
being kept In the field in China.
A large percentage OF the troGps ;
tained by various provincial authori-
ties, it was said by the Chinese dele
cation. but every possible step was
promised toward execution OF the
purposes of the resolution. Although
they did not vote on ADOPTION OF tne
faction with its declarations.
The resolution adopted by the COM
mittee follows:
conference have been deeply Impress
cd with the severe drain on the pub
lie revenue of China through the
maintenance in various parts OF the
country Of military forces, excessive
in number and controlled by the mill
tary chiefs of the provinces without
"And whereas the continued mainte-
nance of these forces appears tc be
mainly responsible for China's present
unsettled political conditions;
"And whereas 1t is felt that large
and prompt reductions of these forces
will not only advance the cause of
but will hasten. her
financial rehabilitation:
Therefore. without any intention to
interfere in the internal problems of
China, but animated by the sincere
desire to see China develop and main.
tain for herself an effective and
stable government alike in her own
interest and in the general interest
of trade:
this conference. whose aim is to -e-
ment the enormous disbursements
which manifestly constitute the great
er part of the circumference upon
enterprise and national prosperity:
ut is resolved, That this conference
express to the Chinese the earnest
hope that immediate and effective
steps may be taken by the Chinese
to reduce the aforesaid
military forces and expenditures"