The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-01-17
DISCUSSION OF FAR
EASTERN QUESTION
is NEARING The END
Days Just Ahead Considered to
Be Most Critical Ones
of the Conference.
DELEGATES ADOPT
WAITING ATTITUDE
Except for Collateral Discussions
on Various Points Work
Is at Standstill.
(sy The Associated Press)


WASHINGTON. Jan. 16.-The far
eastern discussions of the arms con-
ference are entering into their final
period of discussion, with most of the
delegates processing confidence in the
outcome, but conceding. privately that
the days just ahead may be the most
critical of the whole Washington ne
gotiations.
Having begun with a declared policy
of disposing first of subjects upon
which agreement appeared easiet, the
plenipotentiaries now find themselves
confronted with decisions on the prob
lens which long have been the storm
center of oriental poIitics-enforce-
ment of the open door, shantung, the
"twenty-one demands" Manchuria and
the Japanese occupation in Siberia.
For the moment all the delegates ap-
pear to have adopted simultaneously
an attitude of waiting, so that except
for collateral discussions on various
points. the work of the conference is
at a standstill.
The situation again has made Japan
the center of conjecture, because Of
her outstanding position in the far
east and because most of the problems
now to be approached have arisen over
policies and acts emanating from To-
kio.
Representatives Of the other powers
are speculating to what extent the
United States will go in reiterating the
many protests she has made in the
past against Japanese moves in Shan
tung and elsewhere on the continent
of Asia and in seeking an effective
means by which Establishments may be
brought about.
Because the Washington government
has thus taken the lead in protesting
heretofore, however, some of the del
egates believe American officials
would not object if some other deIega-
tion now took upon it's shoulders the
task of stating pointedly the desires of
the powers regarding future Japanese
Chinese relations. But there is no indi-
cation that any other power is prepar-
ing to do SO.
The Japanese. meantime, are wait
ing also, but are throwing out sugges-
tions that any attempt to force Japan s
withdrawal from Shantung, Manchuria
or. Siberia except on terms that will
protect her interests is sure to meet
with bitter and protracted opposition.
Although not directly wrapped up in
the general far eastern negotiations,
the naval treaty, too, is waiting for fl
nal approval and indications are multi
plying that it's signature may be de-
layed until the far eastern problems
are showing cleafer indications of So
luton. In Japanese quarters a note
of pessimism was sounded tonight over
the prospect of an immediate settle
ment of the Pacific fortifications phase
of the treaty. japanese spokesman n
calling particular attention at the
campaign of protest waglng at home
over the British Notifications plan.
Discussion of the open door was be-
gun during the day at a meeting of
the far eastern committee of the con-
ference, which heard declaration on
the subject by Secretary Hughes, af-
ter final action had been taken on the
Chinese tariff program. The open door
debate was inconclusive, centering
about the question whether further ac-
tion should be taken to maintain an
effective equality of economic oppor-
tunity in China. The committee win
take up the subject again tomorrow.
At Mr.. Hughes suggestion, the Chi
nese request for committee action on
the "twenty-one demands" was de-
ferred, 1t being argued that the "de-
nands" could not properly be dis
cussed as long as the Shantung con-
versationss were continuing. The Chi
nese raised no protest, but reiterated
tonight their determination not to let
their proposal be shouldered out Of the
conference,
During the day the Japanese and
Chinese met for the twenty seventh
time to discuss Shantung, and al
though they settled upon details for
transfer TO China of the administrative
machinery of the Liaotung leased ter
ritory, they indicated afterward that
shere were enough things yet 10 be
talked over to occupy many more
meetings.