The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-01-22
HUGHES OPEN DOOR
 OFFER IS ADOPTED IN AMENDED FORM
American Delegation Says Meaning of Proposal for Showdown on Agree
 ments Not Changed
By Associnted Prn.a

T
 Washington, January 21.-Two more American resolutions, based on the principle of open diplomacy and an open door of commercial oppor- tunity in China, were adopted today by the far eastern committee of the Washington conference
 The proposal for a showdown of au international agreements affect Ing China's interest, presented Thursday by Secretary Hughes. was given committee approval only after 1t had been freighted with upwards or score of amendments, but American spokesmen insisted tonight that It's meaning had not been mate rially changed.
 under a supplemental declaration proposed by Biihu Root and accept cd with little debate, the powers asre not to esupport in the future any engagements entered into by their nationals designed to create special spheres of influence or exclusive ou- portunities within Chinese territory.
 Era of Open Dealing
 Taken together. the two decisions were hailed in American quarters as insuring new era of opdn dealing and fair play in all that pertains to China's economic development By the Chinese delegation, however, they were not received with an equal en- thusiasm. one Chinese spokesman saying his colleagues on the delega- ton were mot very well satisfied" with the final form of the much amended proposal for treaty pub- licity.
 Among the Japanese, the Intent and substance of the publicity resolution were given warm appreciation, but grave doubts were expressed as to the possibilities of it's practical app1i- cation tc engagements and contracts made in China by private individuals.
 Throughout the committee debate the Japahnss plenipotentiariee he'd to their view that the Tokio govern ment had no authority to compel its nation to divuige details of their en- gsgements in China, and 1t was said tonight in Japanese circles that the qualifying phrase under which lists of Chinese engagements are to be "as nearly complete as may be possible' might turn out to be one of the most significant features of the resolution
 Lists of Commitments
 As adopted the Hughes proposal provides that the powers other than China agree to compile lists of their own commitments and those of their nationals In China. and to forward the texts of these agreements to the secretary general of the Washington conference as soon as convenient. Future agreements of the same char aoter must be similarly filed within 60 days after completion. Tn two ad- dttional articles China agrees to be bound by the same stipulations as to informing the other powers, and na- lions not represented here lare invited to adhere to the arrangement.
 A point stressed by the Chinese in their criticism of the final form of the agreement was that 1t contains no provision for filing any contracts other than those to which one Of the eignatory governments or it's local authorities are party. Some of the most important railroad and loan contracts now in force In China, the Chinese delegates say, were conclud- ed between foreign individuals ana miner Chinese dignitaries without the knowledge or authority Of the central government at Picking Complete ns Possible
 Ir committee revision of the re- vision A change also was made In the scope of the publicity pledge by eliminating a provision which many ldelegates regarded as closing the door arainst future assertion of gov | ernment support for any contract not included in the proposed list In thc original text the powers would have been required to list all engage ments of private individuals on which their respective governments pronose to rely but in the hnai draft this qualifying clause is omit Ited. leaving only the stipulation that the lists must be "as nearly compiete as may be possible"
 The committee also modiheo, al the suggestion of the British, provisioh that all public utility concessions In vo,ying an obligation of more than s1 .ooO, 900 (silver) on the part or Cni- nese authorities must be included 2 the list. Elimination of the sl,0oo.voo n,nirnum was voted after the Briusn had argued that it might be untair to compel business interests to di- vulre the exact amounts inVoiNeo III |