The New York herald., 1922-02-02


ticipants in the direct conversations"
by which processes the Shantung set
tlement had been affected.
He spoke of the difficulties that con-
| fronted the delegates of both China
and Japan. and there was no question
of his sincerity in expressing "the very
great pleasure it gives to me to eX-
press to my associates In this confer
ence that the settlement of the Shan
tung controversy is in full accord with
the policies of my Government 1t be-
lieve5 that this settlement will con-
tribute largely to the permanent peace
of the world"
| Came~lynck, the agile Frenchman
with a mind like quicksilver, trans
lated the English speech of the Japan
ese Ambassador into French in jiffy
When he concluded DR.. Alfred SEE, the
Chinese Minister. dapper and accurate
as to conventional garb, and with
a bright, intellectual face. arose and
waited for a moment while the dele
gates and audience on floor and in
galleries expressed their sympathies
with their country and approval of the
Shantung settlement in an explosive
fusillade of handclaps.
Chinese Minister'S Prediction.
Then, in much better English than
most Englishmen and Americans ordi-
narliy use, the Chinese Minister ex-
pressed his pleasure at the end of the
long drawn out controversy between
his country and Japan. He predicted
the settlement would remove the pos
sibility of misunderstanding in the
future. He indorsed the statement of
Baron Shidehara that many difficult
ties had stood in the way of salts
factory adjustment of the problems,
but declared that "he was most happy
to say that patience and mutual toll
erance. with the assistance of Secre-
tary Hughes and Mr.. Balfour, had
finally prevailed to make an agreement
possible.
IT cannot refrain from saying that
thank you, Mr.. Chairman, and you,
Mr.. Balfour, for the good offices you
rendered to us in trying to meet the
Japanese representatives half way"
added DR.. SEE. "Our delegation sought
to carry out the views expressed by
you two gentlemen in the hope that
there would be removed cause for
friction which has caused great con-
lcern to other Powers. To President
Harding we are also indebted for as
sistance of a most valuable character.
The Chinese people believe that their
hopes are to be realized and the possi-
bility of friction happily is to be re-
moved"
Then came Mr.. Balfour to give Min
lister SEE, DIR. Koo and DR.. Wang fur-
ther cause for rejoicing. The white
haired, bulky British statesman. stand
ing as erect as man of 40. despite
his "a years. with a most benign ex-
preston lighting up his always inter-
esting eyes, gripped the lapels OF MS
coat and proceeded to match japan in
the matter of New Years presents,
which are most appropriate at this
season of the year in the fiowery land.
British Pledge Given.
The nature of his donation was al
most as desirable as that made by
Japan. It was the pledge OF his Gov
ernment TO withdraw from Wei Hal
Wei and restore that district of Shan
tung to China, leaving 1t free from
! foreign occupation for the first time
since the German Government wrested
shantung from the Chinese Empire
more than twe hty years ago.
| Although hreat Britain had indi-
4 Gated willin mess to surrender Wei
Hal Wei II China on condition that
the FrencA Government would make
similar C /ncessions. Mr.. Balfour's an
! l.
surprisL This was rendered particu-
larly Impressive when M. Sarraut, the
\ Frep N spokesman, failed to make
! any reference to the pledge given by
| M. BRAND in his address to the con-
ference on land armaments that the
French Government would withdraw
from China II Great Britain would do
! likewise.
In his statement to the conference
to-day. Mr.. Balfour made no refer
ence to the French declaration. He
seemed to find complete satisfaction
in the effect on the delegates and au-
d,ence of his personal pledge that the
british Government would turn back
to the sovereignty Of China the terri
tory occupied by II, despite the exten-
sive interests of Great Britain ir the
! Far East.
This declaration was sufficient 20
provoke the most enthusiastic out
burst Of applause during the day.
When he was permitted to resume Mr.
! Balfour said:
Great Britain proposes to hand
back Wei Hai Wei to the country in
whose frontier II lies. The sovereignty
| 30 C~t,tra vrill ha reatpred and when
that Is accomplished the problems of
Shantung will become in the fullest
sense an integral part of the country
| Whereupon there was more ap-
plause. Although Mr.. Balfour is al
ways master Of his most efficient
mental machine. he pulled a bone"