Evening star., 1922-01-18
Fourth Section of Secretary
Hughes Far-Reaching Pro-
posaI Still Considered.
WOULD MAKE OLD POLICY
IN FAR EAST A REALITY
Japan's 81 Demands Would Be
Knocked Into Cooked Hat if
American Scheme Carries.
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.

BY G.. GOILD LINCOLNs
The committee on the far east OF
the Washington conference today
adopted the first three articles of
the Hughes "open-door' resolution.
which defines the open door policy in
China and seeks to apply it more
specifically than ever before.
The fourth article. which Is very
far reaching and would provide for
the consideration Of past commit
ments by an international commits
sion, will be discussed further by the
committee.
French and japanese Oppose.
Objections to the fourth article
were made by the French and
Japanese delegations, 1t was said
after the meeting. They opposed
having the international commission
cOnSider existing commitments. Tne
Chinese delegation reserved the right
to bring up again this fourth article
for consideration. In the meantime
the Chinese will seek to work out
formula which will meet the OBJ
jections of the French and Japanese.
Any other nations desiring to bring
up the fourth article also may do SO.
The first three articles were adopt
Gu AS pTeSchtSu yCSlStooy "atA ohAS
one minor change. -
A resolution dealing with Chinese
railroads was laid before the COM
mittee for consideration. and II Is ex-
pected, will be taken up tomorrow.
This resolution, which deals with all
the railroads in China, would estab-
lish the principle that there is to be
no discrimination practiced in the
operation of the railroads Further
more it would urge ultimate control
of Chinese roads by the Chinese, as
far as possible.
strikes Heavy Blow.
In proposing the resolution on be-
half Of the American delegation. Sec
retary Hughes struck another sledge-
hammer blow to make of real effect
the Washington conference. For
years the powers have politely agreed
TO the principle Of the open door in
China But there has been little
actual application OF the princ,p.e
when this or that nation saw an
opportunity to obtain concessl9ns.
sphere . Or fHfiueneesse etc. ~
Now. tae American delegation pro-
poses, the open door" and equal op-
portunity in China shall become q
reality. 1t is proposed that the nine
nations assembled here, including China
herself. shall sign solemn agreement
ternational commission shall be set up
to pass upon questions arising (wheth-
er in regard to past concessions or
those OF the future) in regard to the
open door" policy.
The proposal came as surprise to
the conference. AS great surprise.
almost. as the speech of Secretary
Hughes on the opening day of the con-
ference. when he presented q definite,
specific plan for limiting naval arma-
ment, instead of indefinite, platitu-
dinous resolutions and formulas.
Would Deal With Past Acts.
The new open door" proposal, II it is
adopted. will deal effectively with past
commitments. 1t may knock the twen-
ty-one demands Of Japan higher than
kite" nullifying the effect Of those
demands and the treaty Of 1915 based
on them in so far as they violate the
open door, 1t may have a similar ef-
feet upon past commitments Of China
to other countries.
1t is true that the proposed interna-
tional commission is given no authority
to enforce itsdecisions regarding mat
ters brought to it's attention by this
or that nation. But 1t is a fact that
the decisions of this board will have
the tremendous weight of public opin-
ion behind them. All of the nations
egreeing to the proposed pact in regard
bound to give assent to these. de-
ciSions. ~
1t Is apparent that the effort Of the
United States as presented in this
resolution is to put ar end to the
economic division of China. 1t has
TO
lions are willing 10 see further po-
litical division Of that huge country
But China presents today vast un-
exploited territory. rich in natural re-
sources 1t offers a great field Of
trade IS the nation develops and the
people become more able to purchase
the goods Of other nations
Annexation Follows Penetration.
In the past. it may be mentioned
too often economic penetration of one
country by another has led to politi-
cal domination and finally annexation.
This has happened in various parts
of China. and in Korea. The Japa-
nese have followed this practice of
economic penetration with success.
They carried it out in Korea. in Man
churia and in Shantung to a con-
siderable extent. In Korea it has
finally resulted in annexation. In
Manchuria, Japan is dominant fac
tor economically and politically to-
day. In Shantung. the return Of
which Japan Is now discussing with
the Chinese. the Japanese economic
penetration is far along. And now
Japan is charged with economic pene-
tration in Siberia.
Japan, it has been said in her de-
fense. has been compelled to take
Korea, to maintain herself in Man
churia, and to go into Siberia in or
der to establish buffers against the
threat of Russia. But IL the policy
is to be followed to its logical con-
clusion, Japan must gather In and
annex parts of the Asiatic continent
one after another.
VIII Lenxthen Parley.
In view Of the far-reaching effect
Of the proposed open door" resolu-
tion, it is expected that it will be
given very careful consideration. and
that it will lead to long discussion.
Some observers here insist that the
end of the conference will be de-
layed another month or more by the
attempt of the United States delega-
tion to have the problems Of China
and Siberia handled with definite
neSa
Once the ''open-door'' matter has
been disposed Of. 1t was learned to-
latinued on Page 2. Column -