The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-01-16
ORIENT BLOCKS
SPEEDY FINISH
OF ARMS PARLEY
Conference VIII Give Fer East
Undivided Attention.
Naval Treaties Rest Waiting
Word. From Toxic.
CLEAR SITUATION THIS WEEK
Americans Fear Action of Sem
ate If Issue Not Met.
Concentrate Order Follows
Conference at White House.
Naval Treaties Rest Waiting
Word. From Toxic.
CLEAR SITUATION THIS WEEK
lRy the Assoclated Presal

Washington, Jan. 16.-Senator Me-
Cormick, Republican. Illinois. today
introduced and the senate half an
hour later adopted a resolution call
ing upon the state department to sup
ply such information as it has on the
financial affairs of European govern
ments. The resolution asked especial
ly for data on the expenditures OF
those governments for military pur-
poses.
Washington, Jan. 1e.-Tokio and
Pekin continued today to block any
real progress in the armament confer
ence. All along the line, in both naval
matters and Far Eastern questions.
the lack of instructions from the two
capitals. particularly Toxic. is forcing
the delegates here to mark time.
The Chinese and japanese delegates
met again to discuss Shantung. but
after completing minor details regard
ing the transfer of the Kiachow lease
hold and talking about mines for a
short time. the session adjourned with
out touching the main problem of the
Shantung railway.
Naval Treaty Delayed.
Completion of the naval limitation
treaty meantime still awaited formal
approval by Toxic of the article deal
ing with Pacific Qualifications. which
was expected in time to permit ap-
proval of the pact by the full naval
committee and its announcement at a
plenary session of the conference be-
fore the end of the week.
1t is the plan of the American dele
crof far1 fa1 ~
| drive straight ahead of the ShaEtung
issue until it is settled. To this end.
it had been intended not to hold meet
ings of the Far East committee or the
naval committee today but after a con-
ference between Secretary of State
Hughes and President Harding at the
White House this morning 1t was an
nounced that the Far East committee
would meet at $3.50 o'clock this after
noon. 1t was explained, however, that
this meeting will not be allowed to
interfere with the progress of the
Shantung program.
Clear Problem This Week.
High hopes were expressed by
American delegates that this, the
eleventh week of the conference will
see the clearing of the conference slate
on all questions affecting China.
The meetings which the Chinese
and japanese have held in washing
ton to date have settled every question
involved in Shantung with the exceD-
ton of the railroad, which both sides
regard as the crux OF the whole mat
ter. The Chinese. making Shantung
the test Of japanese sincerity in the
Far East. have insisted upon absolute
financial and operative control of the
road and have grimly settled back 10
wait.
Alternatives Proposed
Alternate proposals suggested ~
designed at settling the controversy
along lines parallel to the Chinese po-
sition, have been cabled to both Toxic
and Peking. The reports that the
Chinese cabinet had decided to accept
these have not been followed by con
firmatory instructions to the Toxic
delegation in Washington.
The impression will not down, how
ever. that ultimately Japanese viii
yield in the Shantung controversy in
order TO make stronger her position
that the twenty-one demands are not
proper subjects to be discussed By the
conference.
Senate May Upset Plans.
In American quarters today It was
regarded as significant that the resolve
apparently exists to make the whole
works of the conference subservfent
to a satisfactory settlement OF Shan
tung. 1t was pointed out that the
naval treaty is not drawn and signed
and that it is not yet too late for the
conference apple cart to be upset
in numerous particulars.
The administration is keenly deSir-
Gus of a satisfactory settlement on
Shantung for another reason. Off
cials believe that such a settlement
will allay much senatorial opposition
to the treaties that emerge from the
conference. Administration officials
with an eye on the senate believe it
would be foolhardly to submit the re-
suits of the conference to the senate
for approval with Shantung still un-
settled.