Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-01-14
SHAN NTUNG PROBLEM
NEAR SETTLEMENT,
IS CAPITAL REPORT
Last Obstacle to Progress Of
Conference Likely to Soon
be Overcome.
TOXIC AN PEKING CLOSER


BY Associated Press TO Every Evening.
Washington. Jan. II. D. M
Japan, through her arms confer
ence delegation agreed today 10
transfer 10 China the adninistra-
ton Of the leased territory Of
Kiao Chow in shantung province.
Add New Lead All Shsntung
The agreement becomes effec-
tive when n complete settlement
is reached on the entire Shantung
controversy now before the Chin-
csc and Japanese delegates.
The Japanese also agreed today
70 hand over TO the Chinese gov
ernment all documents necessary
for the administration OF the lease
hold, when the transfer is effected
Washington, Jan. I4.--An ex-
change of views between the Chinese
and japanese Arms Conferences dele
gates and their respective govern
ments at Peking and Toxic was be-
lieyed today to have considerably
strengthened the chances OF an early
settlement Of the Shantung question,
including the railroad issues which
has so far blocked the success OF the
conversations.
Indications were apparent from the
reasscmbly of the delegations Of the
rations In the single neetins on to-
days conference program that the
good offices Of Arthur J. Bafour. OF
the British delegation. and Secretary
Hughes, Of the American delegation.
We're having their effect in making
both sides less intransigsnt in their
attitude as to the conditions Of the
restoration Of the Using Tao-Tsinan
Flu railroad
Agreement having been reached by
the big five" regarding the DISPOSE
ton of prescribed warships, there re-
mained 10 be settled today in COM
pletins the naval treaty only a few
relatively unimportant details and the
status quo agreement regarding Pa
cfffc Notifications, the latter awaiting
a.. reply expected hourly from Toxic.
The completed treaty was expected TO
be ready for an executive session of
the full naval committee early next
week
The scrapping provisions agreed to
are understood TO authorize the
United States and Japan 10 change
into aircraft carriers some of the un-
completed battleships originally slated
for the scrap heap, while France and
Italy would be permitted to convert
into training ships the dreadnaughts
which under the agreement become
obsolete in 1891.
Admiral Baron Kato. senior .Japa-
nese delegate, left Washington today
for New York where he will deliver
an address tonight before the Japa-
nese Society. 1t is understood he will
discuss the work of the Arms Con-
ference.
The admiral expects TO return to
Washington tomorrow night or Mon
day morning to resume consideration
of the naval treaty and the active TAX
ing UP of Far Eastern questions.
The answer from the Toxic cabi-
net concerning the agreement on the
maintenance of the status quo Pacific
Notifications is expected 10 be here
by tomorrow.
This problem of fortiications is the
only remaining important feature OF
the general naval limitation treaty
which has not been definitely adjust
ed. A favorable answer from Toxic
was expected by the japanese, and.
therefore, from the Japanese stand
point there was no reason why the
naval agreement could not be soon
announced.
The council of the League OF Ma
tions today win attempt to settle the
controversy between Finland and
Soviet Russia. with regard to eastern
karelia. where the course of the argu-
ment has been marked by several
months of guerilla warfare.
The Marquis lmperiali Di Franca-
villa, WAS charged with framing a
resolution in answer to F'inland's APP
peal for mediation Of the difficulty. and
this win form the basis of today's at
tempt at settlement.