The New York herald., 1922-01-06
PLAN TO WITHDRAW
TROOPS FROM CHINA
Cc...naed from First Page.

Ccs. ..naed from First Page.
revlaion OF Chinese land and maritime
customs on basis of 8 per cent. ad
valorem, and that meantime continu-
ing conference shall be convened TO
frame a schedule Of taxes of " per
cent, and upward on luxuries. These
schedules are to be OH basis of equal
ty for all the Powers. Thereafter re-
visions are to take place first at the end
of four years and then periodically every
seven years AS an appendix to the
agreement China is to declare she has
no present intention of modifying the
present system under which customs col
lections are supervised by the Powers.
From the flat 3 per cent. rate, Senator
Underwood told the committee, CHINA
would collect an additional Sl70O.ooo sill
yer annually, and he estimated the sur
tax would yield another S29 l67 900, max
| ing the total immediate gain va, ioI"o
Taking into consideration an additional
provision of the agreement making ef-
| fective certain optional sections of ex-
| listing treaties as soon as the Chinese
/ abolish the internal "1ikin' tax, Mr..
Underwood declared the total increase
| in customs revenues would amount
when the required reforms are effected
to something like sl56 ,ooo,ooo In 1929, he
pointed out. the whole present tariff
system yielded the Chinese Government
only about s6i,00o,o0o.
| tariff autonomy" said Dr.. Roo, lis a
sovereign right enjoyed by all independ-
ent States. Its free exercise is essential
to the well being of the State. The ex-
listing treaty provisions, by which the
| levy of customs duties. transit duty and
other imposts is regulated. constitute not
only a restriction on China's freedom
of action. but an infringement of her
sovereignty. Restoration to her Of tariff
/ autonomy would only be recognition OF
right which is hers and which she re-
linquished against her win.
sThe Chinese delegation feel in duty
| b0urd to declare that though this COM
! nnfttee does not sec it's way to consent
I to China's claim for the restoration OF
her tariff autonomy, it is not their de-
sire. In asserting to the agreement now
before you, to reIinquish their claim; on
the contrary, Il is their intention to
bring the question up again for consid-
Grafton on all appropriate occasions in
the future"
Senator Underwood rejoined that no
one desired more than he to see China
restored to all her powers of sovereign
ty, but added:
"I do not think there was any doubt
in the minds of the men on the sub
committee as to the question that if
China at present had the unlimited con-
troll of levying taxes at the Customs
House, in view Of the unsettled condi-
tions now existing in China, it would
probably work in the end to China's det-
riment and to the injury of the world
and / think that had more to do with
the subcommittee not making a full
and direct response to Or. Koo's re-
quest than anything else.
"T am sure there was no desire on the
part of the other Powers to be selfish
or not TO recognize the full sovereignty
of China, and IL / am a judge OF the
1 situation 1 feel suro that whom China
herself establishes q parliamentary
government of all the provinces of
| China and dispenses with the military
control that now exists in many of the
provinces of China so that the outside
Powers may feel that they are dealing
with n government that has entire and
| absolute and free control of the situa-
tion. China can expect to release the
great ideals of sovereignty that she ASKS
for at this table"
DR.. Koo later made brief statement
declaring the proposed resolution rela.
tive to reduction OF Chna's military
establishment completely comedies with
tho desire and determination of the
Government and people of China"
The text of the proposal as submitted
by the subcommittee follows:
"The members of the subcommittee
in studying the question of increasing
the customs tariff rates TO meet urgent
needs of the Chinese Government have
been deeply impressed with the severe
drain on China's public revenue through
the maintenance Of excessive military
forces in various parts OF the country.
Most OF these forces are controlled by
the military chiefs OF the provinces and
their continued maintenance appears 10
be mainly responsible for China's pres
ent unsettled political conditions. IL is
felt that large and prompt reduction of
these forces will not only advance the
cause Of China's political unity and eco
nosnic development but hasten her finau-
cial rehabilitation.
Therefore. without any intention to
interfere In the internal problems OF
China, but animated by the sincere de-
sire to see China develop and maintain
for herself an effective and stable gov
ernment alike in her own interest and
In the general interest OF trade. and
inspired by the spirit Of this confercrr
whose aim is TO reduce through the
limitation OF armament tho enormous
disbursements watch manife1tly consti-
tute the greater part OF the encum-
brance upon enterprise and national
prosperity. the subcommittee venture
TO suggest for the consideration Of the
committee the advisability Of laying be-
fore the conference for its adoption a
resolution expressing the earnest hope
of the conference and embodying \
/ friendly recommendation TO China that
immediate and effective steps be taken
by the Chinese Government to reduce
! the aforesaid military forces and ex-