Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-01-05
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1hAuIUW6 UHjE
IS NEAR FINISH;
MAY BE T|E-UP
Hughes and Balfour Get
Defiant Chinese and
Japs Into Council.
Talk of Settlement Or
dered on Toxic Terms
From Peking Denied.

Washington, Jan. 4.-(By the Asso-
ciated Press.)-Washington negotia-
tions over Shantung apparently are
nearing a conclusion, but whether the
outcome is to be a settlement or an
other deadlock is question obscured
by many elements of conflicting evi-
dence.
There was no outward indication
Wednesday night after the, japanese
and Chinese had resumed "conversa-
tions" that either side had abandoned
troublesome issue over the mode of
payment for the Kiao Chow-Tsinan-
Flu railroad in the former German
leasehold.
Nevertheless, the communique said
discussions would be completed"
Thursday and there was apparent in
many quarters a confidence that a
final means Of settlement would be
found.
Three Alternative Payments
Both delegations entered into dis
cussion of the three alternative plans
for payment for the disputed railroad,
but adjourned after two-hour session
with out definite action.
The Japanese were said to have re-
asserted their demand for payment by
Through the japanese bankers, which
Ithe Chinese declined to consider. The
Chinese then announced they had not
receded from their two alternative
propositions. Payment in cash or by
treasury notes in installments over II
years with an option permitting China
to take up the remaining notes after
three years.
Chinese Say They'll Balk
Asked by newspaper men as to what
remained to work on at Thursdays
session, DR.. Wang, a Chinese delegate,
replied:
'The Chinese delegation will formal
ly decline to consider Japanese loan
and will expect a definite acceptance
or refusal of either Of its alternative
plans for cash payment, or by treasury
bonds in installments."
Arthur j. Balfour and Secretary
Hughes were the indirect means of
bringing the two delegations together
in an effort to break the deadlock
through their observers, who had been
'sitting in" during the conversations
begun under their auspices, until the
interruption came at the request of
the japanese, two weeks ago, to ask
TOXIC Tor Instructions. The first move
Wednesday for resumption of the meet
ing came from the Japanese, however,
when they notified Messrs Balfour and
Hughes that they had heard from To-
kio and were ready again to meet
Peking Settlement Denial
An invitation for the meeting, sent
by the state department shortly after
B o'clock In the afternoon, took the
Chinese somewhat by surprise, as only
Tuesday the Chinese had approached
Mr.. Balfour and Secretary Hughes with
view to having them renew their
"good offices" to effect a settlement.
Earlier reports came from two
sources that direct negotiations for
settlement of the Shantung dispute
were proceeding between Peking and
Toxic to successful conclusion.
One came from the Japanese, who
Isaid information from Toxic indicated
that the Peking government was ready
to accept the Japanese proposal for |
payment by Japanese loan and that |
the Chinese here had been so instruct |
ed, but were not carrying out Pc |
kings instructions.
The other came in message to DR. |
Ma 500, representative of the Canton
South China government, now In New I
York, from DR.. WI Ting Fang, Can
ton foreign minister, to the same gen
eral effect.
Both reports were characterized by
Wellington koo, Chinese delegate, as
untrue"