Evening star., 1922-01-28
arms DELEGATES
CONFER ON ISSUES
On Surface, However, Con-
ference Is Marked by
~
LuII.
NY G. GOULD LINCOLN.

= On the surface, the Washington
conference today was marking time
No meetings of the major committees
on limitation of armament or the far
east were held. The meeting of the
Chinese and Japanese to begin the
draft Of the proposed Shantung treaty,
returning the former German lease
hold to China, set for today, was
called Off at the last minute. One
subcommittee, that on the Chinese
Eastern railway, is to meet this aft
ernoon in an effort to shape a report
on that railroad for submission to the
far east committee at its next meet
ing.
The meeting to begin the work of
drafting the Shantung treaty-a
treaty which will be signed by Japan
and China alone-was postponed, it
was explained at Japanese headquar-
ters in order to give more time for
preparation before beginning the ac-
tual drafting work, and for no other
reason. The Shantung treaty prom
ises to be a lengthy document, cover
ing as it will a large number of SUBJ
jects.
Conversations I'm Prospect.
But while the Washington confer
ence remained quiet today on the sur
face. it was expected that a number
of informal conversations among del
egates would materialize, particular
fy with reference to the much-di
eussed ShantunE railroad question,
which is delaying not only final
agreement On Shantung. but the en-
tire conference. The Chinese and the
Japanese have said they hoped to re-
sumo consideration of this subject in
a meeting of delegates on Monday.
The control Of this railroad, which
the Chinese desire in full, and which
tho Japanese insist they must have
in part, is still the question at issue.
An effort is being ma1le to satisfy
both parties through an arrangement
Of traffic and assistant traffic mana
gers, and chief accountant and ssist-
mt accountant. There is talk of las
sociate" officers in these positions,
sr1n the meantime. the Chinese dele
cation here. is seeking to ascertain
whether their countrymen will sup
port them in a settlement OF the Shan
tung issue along the lines Of the lat
est compromise proposal The jap
anese have made their position
clear and are not waiting any fur
subject Of Shantung, it was said to-
day. They are ready to do business.
: The Japanese are still waiting, how
ever. for final word from Toxic on
article 10 Of the naval limitation
treaty, dealing with the limitation
of Notifications in the Pacific. 1t is
expected that this reply from Toxic
will be received either some time to-
day or at least by Monday. Assent
to the latest draft of this article is
expected, the delegates here having
given their approval on condition that
It is approved by the home govern
ment. As soon as this assent is in
hand, the conference will be in a
position to conclude the naval treaty.
ShantunG Issue First.
, However. the belief prevails that
no naval limitation treaty will be
actually signed here until the Sham
!uns issue is out Of the way, y;i and the
has proceeded to point where its
completion is assured.
Having disposed of the subject of
wireless Communications in China
yesterday, the far east committee,
when it meets again. will have to
consider the Baifour resolution for
prohibiting the export of arms to
China Possibly the subcommittee
on the Chinese Eastern railway will
He ready to report to the committee
Z. in addition to these matters, still
has to dispose of the Chinese re-
Guest that the twenty-one demands
OF Japan and the 1915 treaty with
Japan be considered. Also, after the
8hantung matter has been concluded.
fhs return Of leased territories in
China to China will come up again.
fhe British having indicated they
would relinquish Weiheiwel II the
former German 1easehold in Shan
tang goes back to China, and the
HAss to give up their leased terri
t6ry.