The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-01-25
CONFERENCE MAKES
QUICK WORK OF The
SIBERIAN QUESTION
Also Virtually Agreed on the
Remaining Issue of Naval
Reduction Plan.
OUTSIDE PRESSURE IN
SHANTUNG NEGOTIATIONS
Apparently 1t Is Being Brought
AS the Two Groups Met to
Clear Away Details.
tey rhe AssoeIated P.esal


WASHINGTON, Jan. 24-Swinging
into high speed again, the arms con-
ference today made quick work Of the
Siberian question, virtually agreed on
the sole remaining issue of the naval
! reduction plan, completed a redefini-
ton of the scope of the four-power
Pacific treaty and pushed on toward
a solution of the Shantung tangle and
various lesser problems.
So sweeping was the days progress
that little save perfunctory detail re-
mained tonight to bring all the diverse
tasks of the conference to a simultan-
eous conclusion. Some Of the more OPP
tomistic among the delegates were
predicting the final wind-up would
come within a week.
In its two day incursion into the ST.
berian field, the far eastern committee
contended itself with listening TO and
spreading on the conference record,
detailed statement of the respective
views of the Japanese and American
government. Japanese declaration
disclaimed territorial designation in
Russia, but set forth the reason that
inpell her to keep troops in eastern
Siberia, and the reply of the United
States reiterated the desire that there
would result no permanent infringe
ment upon Russian integrity.
Except for the French, who ex-
pressed confidence in Japanese pledge
to withdrawal from Siberian soil as
soon as stable conditions viii permit,
no other delegation borned in the dis
cussion. Secretary Hughes proposed
the readily accepted resolution of
which the item was wiped off the con-
ference program, to appear no more
until the pronouncements of the two
governments are formally entered in
the minutes Of the next plenary ses-
sion.
The last differences over principle
in the naval treaty, relating to the
Notifications status quo in the Pa
cific, was swept away in informal con-
situations among the chief delegates
after it had held up completion Of the
treaty text for many days. Under the
settlement. the British plan of defining
a latitude and longitude boundary for
tho status quo zone is replaced by the
Japanese suggestion that instead there
be Il list by name of the islands which
must not be further fortified. The
Japanese agreed that the Japanese
BONN group should be included under
tine prohibition.
A Lurtner cause for delay developed,
however, when the Japanese plenipo-
teutlaries declared their desire TO-
submit the Notifications article in ex-
act phraseology to Toxic for approval.
The Toxic officials already have
agreed TO all but the minor details Of
wording and a favorable reply is ex-
pected within few days.
ReGefinition of the geological scope
of the four power Pacific treaty, al
ready signed. took the form of Sc
ries of notes which have been COM
pletei and mutually approved by the
four powers and will be formally ex-
changed for the record before the
Washington conference ends. They re-
verse the previous informal agreement
of the delegates and provide that in
constituting the treaty hereafter the
major japanese islands, including the
Bonin group, shall not be classed
among the ElnSul1r pOSSS5S4OliS anu
dorninions" to which the instrument
applies.
In the Shantung negotiations be-
tween the japanese and Chinese it be-
came apparent that outside pressure
for a settlement was increasing as the
two groups met to clear away various
minor details Of the points on which
they already have agreed. The ques-
tion of the Tsingtao-Tsinanfu rail-
road, now virtually the only undeter-
mined Issue, was not touched upon at
the meeting but It was actively under
in American and 2 itisa
g. rte-s because Of he exercise OF
good Offices by Secretary Hughes !
"a a Arthu J. flour.
BY conferen officials in close
touch with the progress Of the Amer1- |
compromise effort, 1t was |
said tonight that a settlement was
every near" Both the Japanese and
Chinese refused to make predictions, |
but they showed evidence of a willing |
ness to resume the railroad discussions !
directly as result Of the developments |
OF the last few days.