Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-01-24
AMERICANS PLEASED
WITH DECISIONS
REGARDING CHINA

WASHINGTON, Jan. 23.-(By the
Associated Press.)-Two more Amer
lean resolutions based on the prin-
ciple of open diplomacy and an open
door of commercial opportunity in
China were passed Saturday by the
Far Eastern committee Of the Wash
ington conference.
The proposal for a showdown of
all international agreements affect
ing China's interests, presented
Thursday by Secretary Hughes, was
given committee approval only after
it had been freighted with upwards
of a score amendments, but Ameri-
can Spokesman insisted tonight that
it's meaning had not been materially
changed. -.
Under a supplemental declaration
proposed by Elihu Root and accept
ed with little debate, the powers
agree not to- support in the future
any engagements entered into by
their nationals designed to create spe-
CldJ SpIlcISS VI lb1lOClACO vi S~nSAoN
sive opportunities within Chinese
territory.
Taken together, the two decisions
were hailed in American quarters
as insuring new era or open deal
ing and fair play in all that pertains
to China's economic development.
By the Chinese delegation, however,
they We're not received with an
equal enthusiasm, one Chinese
spokesman saying his colleagues on
the delegation We're mot very we'll
satisfied with the final form of the
much-amended proposal for treaty
publicity.
Japanese Approve Resolution
Among the Japanese, the intent
and substance of the publicity reso-
luton were given warm appreciation,
but grave doubts were expressed as
to the possibilities Of it's practical
application to engagements and con-
tracts made in China by private in
Throughout the committee debate
the Japanese plenipotentiaries held
to their view that the Toxic gov
eminent had no authority to COM
pei its nationals to diVulge details
Of their engagements In China, and
it was said tonight in Japanese cir
eles, that the qualifying phrase I'M
der which lists of Chinese engage
ments are to be "as nearly COM
plete as may be possible" might
turn out to be one of the most sig
nificant features of the resolution.
AS adopted the Hughes proposal
provides that the powers other than
China agree to compile lists of their
tc fhooa Of
nationals in China, and to forward
the texts of these agreements to the
encouragement of the Washing
ton conference as soon as convenient.
Future agreements Of the same
character must be similarly filed
within sixty days after completion.
In two additional ARTICLES, China
agrees to be bound by the same
stipulations as to informing the
other powers, and nations not rep
resented here are invited to adhere
to the arrangement.
Chinese Criticisms
a point stressed by the Chinese
in their criticism of the final form
of the agreement was that it con-
tains no provision Tor filing any con-
tracts other than those to which one
of the signature governments or its
local authorities are party. Some
of the most important railroad and
loan contracts now in force in China
the Chinese delegates say, were con-
cluded between fr~-;~r j. = 'duals
and minor Chinese signatories with
out the knowledge or authority of
the central "ouerr~o mt at Picking.
In committee revision of the reso-
lution,. a charge q YVES made in
the ScoH" of the publioi+-r pledge by
eliminating provision which many
delegates regarded as closing the
door against future assertion of
government support for any con-
tract not included in the proposed
list. In the original text the powers
would have been required to list all
engagements of private individuals.
ION which their respective govern
ments propose to rely" but in the
final draft this qualifying clause is
| omitted, leaving only the stipula-
ton that the lists must be "as
nearly complete as may be posi-
BILE"
The committee also modified, at
the suggestion of the British, pro-
vision that all public utility conces-
sions involving an obligation of
more than $1,000000 silver, on the
part of the Chinese authorities must
be included in the list. Elimination
| of the $1,000,00O minimum was
voted after the British had argued
that it might be unfair to compel
business interests TO divulge the eX-
act amounts involved in their con-
tracts.
Chinese Amendment
In order to strike directly at what
| they consider the real menace OF
secret agreements in the Orient, the
! Chinese presented to the committee
proposed amendment which would
have required the listing of every
commercial transaction between
China or it's nationals and the gov
eminent or nationals of any of the
powers. This suggestion, however
was rejected promptly by severa
delegations, who declared it impossi
BILE of execution.
In declaring his delegation "no
very we'll pleased with the resolu
| ton, a Chinese. spokesman said to
night that the Chinese government
probably would not have knowledge
of contracts or arrangements made
between private corporations or ma
tionals of another country with loca
Tuchuns or nationals in China, anC
could not make them public.
Therefore, the action of the ccm
mittee, he declared, precluded thu
possibility that many of the agree
ments made by Japanese national!
with regard to Manchuria woulC
ever become known, unless the Jap
anese government forced their publ
cation. He thought it unlikely tina
the Japanese intended to permit tn
publication of any engagements o
| doubtful character, which he sal
had been made ostensiply withou
| tho lr,no,rlndmn of tho frnNernnnnt