Evening star., 1922-01-22
Conference Waits on Word
From Japan-0ptimism as
to Settlement Shown.
ACTION ALSO DELAYED
UPON PACIFIC FORTS
Far Eastern Committee May Take
Up Siberia Tomorrow-China
Has Gained Much.
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.

With the adoption yesterday Of the
Hughes resolution providing for the
listing and publication of Chinese
commitments. existing and future, the
Washington conference moved for
ward appreciably.
The far east committee, after act
ing favorably on this resolution, with
amendments. adjourned until tomor-
row morning, when it may take up
the question of the China Eastern
railway. now being considered by a
subcommittee of experts. the question
of communications or some other sub
ject relating to China not yet COM
pleted.
Shantung Discussion Put on.
The Shantung conference between
the Japanese and Chinese delegates,
which was set for yesterday after
noon. was postponed until tomorrow
bers Of the japanese. delegation
pointed out that there was much other
conference work to keep them busy.
When the Shantung conversations are
resumed the question of salt fields on
kiaochow bay and post Offices in
Shantung are to be considered. But
prediction was made in Japanese
quarters last night that the all-im-
portant question of the Shantung
railroad will be taken up again either
late tomorrow or Tuesday.
The settlement Of the Shantung
problem still clogs the way of the
conference. The conference is wait
ing on the japanese delegation, who
in turn are waiting on the Toxic gov
ernment, regarding Shantung. The
conference Is waiting on Japan also
before there can be a settlement of
article 19 of the naval limitation
treaty relating to the Notifications
Of the Pacific, the only article Of that
treaty that remains to be drafted
finally for presentation to the COM
mittee on Limitation of armament.
Outlook Declared Bright.
In conference circles, the belief
that the Shantung question is to be
settled satisfactorily continues to per-
sist. The principal reason advanced
for this belief is that Shantung Is at
present the key to the success of
the conference, and the Japanese will
not be willing to see the work of the
conference fail because of differences
between them and the Chinese over
the return of the Shantung railroad to
China. particularly when the two dele
cations have appreciably approached
each other in their proposals of set
tlement.
The Chinese delegation, if it is found
impossible to reach a settlement on
Shantung, will. it was said last night,
call upon the conference to take note
Of the situation and take some step, if
possible, to bring about an ADJUST
ment. The Chinese feel that, al
though the Shantung discussion has
proceeded outside of the Washington
conference, the conference is entitled
to consider the matter if 1t becomes
evident that all the work of the con-
ference is to be jeopardized by a
failure Of the Sino-Japanese CONVEX
sations. 1t has been held In confer
ence circles, however. that such a step
would accomplish little If Japan
should object to the conference TAX
ing cognizance of the Shantung mat
ter.
Hughes Resolution Amended.
Now that the far east committee has
adopted the resolution calling for the
listing of all Chinese commitments,
the various delegations are preparing
I'd file such lists as rapidly as possible
with the secretary general of the con-
ference. The Italian and other dele
cations have cabled to their home
governments for aid in preparing
such lists.
The Hughes resolution was amended
in a number Of ways. but remains IN
CONTINUED on Page 3, Column g.