Bisbee daily review., 1922-01-19
AMERICAN OPEN
 DOOR PROGRAM
 BADLY S[ASHED
Vital Part of Hughes Plan,
 Urging Probe of Existing Concessions, Thrown Out
CONFERENCES TAGGING
Chinese and Japs Make Only Slow Progress Toward Set
 tling Shantung Dispute

WASHINGTON, Jan. 1S.-(By the Associated Press) - The American open door program was accepted in part today by the Far Eastern com mittee of the arms conference, but approval was given only after elim- ination of the provision which would have authorized an inquiry into exist ing concessions in China.
 The French, renewing their objec- tion to re-opening the whole field of concessions granted in the past, were seconded by the Japanese, and the proposal was finally thrown out at the suggestion of the British. The Chinese reserved the right to call 1t up again, but the general impression among the delegation was that it had been permanently sidetracked so far as this conference is concerned
 Center of Debate
 Viewed by many delegates as the most sweeping provision of the Amer ican plan, the existing concessions article was the center of debate, va rious delegates opposing it on the ground that it might lead to an almost endless inquiry into the validity of the maze of economic arrangements in force in China. For the American delegation, however, it was said that the eliminated article was not con- sidered of vital importance since re- maining provisions of the plan would permit examination of existing con- sessions where both parties agree to it.
 As adopted, the open door resolu- tion contains a mutual pledge not to seek spheres of influence or monop- olies in China, and authorizes crea- tion of an international board of ref erence with power to investigate and report on any case which seems 10 involve violators of the principle of equal economic and commercial op- portunity.
 Two Resolutions Heard
 Turning to the problem of railway control in China, the committee laid the ground work for tomorrow's dis cussions by hearing two resolutions proposed for promoting equitable de- velopment Of Chinese rail facilities. The first introduced by Sir Auckland Geddes of the British delegation would pledge the powers against dis. criminatory practices on roads under their control. The other, presented by Secretary Hughes, would express a hope that the transportation lines in China might be welded eventually into unified system under Chinese control
 In neither proposal was there ex- oeDtion made on the Shantung or Manchurian lines, now under Japan. ..fN recognized the separate status of the Chinese Eastern Railway by referring that whole subject to a special sub. committee of Far Eastern experts The latter road, traversing the border between Manchuria and Siberia, now is under the contro of an inter-allied commission.
 Negotiations Advanced The negotiations between the Jap anese and Chinese over the general Shantung problem were advanced one more step today by an agreement ! for return to China of the coal and iron mines in Kiao Chow, leased ter ritory On the pivotal question oi the return of the Shantung railway | however, there were no further de velopments . In the negotiations or the naval treaty, there also was 8 lapse of activity the second dealing with Pacific Qualifications remaining 1 in an uncertain status.