Evening star., 1922-01-26
SETTLEMENT NEAR
IN NSHANTUNGCASE,
LEADERS BELIEVE
Meeting of President and
Minister SEE Proves Very
Great Help.
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.

Settlement of the Shantung con-
troversy. through the good Offices Of
President Harding, is expected in con-
ference circles today.
The interview between the President
and Minister SEE Of the Chinese dele
CATION on the Shantung matters yes
terday afternoon was held at the re-
quest of Minister SEE. the Chinese
minister said today. Minister SEE de-
clined to state what had been said by
the President at this meeting in the
White House, but said he desired to
have it understood that the call made
upon the President was at his. Min
lister Sees, request, and that the Pres
ident had not summoned him to the
White House.
Minister SEE said that he believed
the Interview with the President had
been most helpful.
Mr. Hughes Also Present.
The Secretary Of State, Mr..
Hughes, was present, as, of course, he
always is when I see the President
officially" said Minister SEE. Il found
that the President had a very thor
ough knowledge of the entire Shan
tung matter. He was most sympa-
thetic."
AS the result Of the interview. the
Chinese delegation is understood to
have sent last night a cable to Peking.
and it is believed that this cable will
lay before the Chinese government
such suggestions as the President
made with regard to the settlement
Of the troublesome question of the
kiaochow-Tsinanfu railroad in Shan
tung.
Furthermore. it is believed that these
suggestions. coming from the President
of the United States, which has shown
itself consistently the friend of China,
both before the beginning of th. Wash
ington conference and during the con-
ference, will have much weight with
the Chinese government
The appeal of the Chinese minister
to the President was made in accord
with the general understanding which
has existed between the Chinese and
rgood Offices of the Americans and
British might be used in the co:asidera-
ton of the Shantung problem.
Meet Again To-day.
There will be a meeting of the ia
panese and Chinese delegates this
afternoon on the Shantung question,
but it is not expected that the all
important matter of the railroad will
be discussed. it was said by Minister
SEE. A number of minor matters. re-
lating to claims, etc, remain to be
discussed. ..-
The japanese ambassador. Baron
Shidehara. called upon Minister SEE
last night. and, while the details Of
the conversation have not been made
public. u is believed to have helped
the situation.
Compromise proposals for settle
ment of the controversy over the
Shantung railroad have been under
consideration for some time, it is
known. and the situation has mar
proposals is understood to be accept
able to Japan and Is waiting the ap-
proval of the Chinese.
1t is believed that Minister Sees
call upon the President was to ask
his advice upon particulars of this
proposal.
The Chinese minister said today
that the Chinese must be assured. in
any settlement of the Shantung
question, that China is to have entire
control over the Shantung railroad,
and that the agreement must provide
at least for ultimate control by the
Chinese.
SGt11cmcnt Secn8 SSxt0I0s
The feeling in conference circles
is that the Shantung matter is going
to7,be settled and that what President
Harding had to say last night will
prove helpful in bringing about a
solution of this matter, which Is now
delaying the entire Washington con-
ference. President Harding was as
sured. it is understood. that the Jap
anese were entirely willing to have
him act as he has in the matter.
The committee on the far east Of
the Washington conference. which
was to have met this morning, post
poned its meeting until tomorrow aft
ernoon. The drafting COMMITTEES. 1t is
understood, has been unable to work
out a plan yet for handling the ques-
ton Of wireless communications in
China. 1t has half dozen resolutions
in regard to this matter before it.
The drafting. committee today con-
tinued its labors, and 1t was hoped
would be able to present resolutions
to the far east committee for action
wheR 1t meets tomorrow.