Arizona republican., 1922-01-15
AGREE
WITH JAP AN ON
SOME SHANTUNC
PREL|M|NAR|ES
Conference Hopeful Shan
tung Rail Question Will
Be Solved By American
British Compromise
rRepublIcan a. p. leased wireI

rRepubican A. p. Leased WireJ
WASHINGTON, Jan. 14--The
Shantung negotiations took anoth-
er step forward today while all other
activities of the arms conference were
at standstill.
Meeting for the twenty sixth time,
the Japanese and Chinese agreed on
som, of the preliminary moves look
ing to complete restoration of Kiao
Chow territory to China.
There also was apparent in some
quarters mounting hope that the
question of the Shantung railroad,
the only point on which the two del
egations have found themselves dead
locked, would be settled soon on the
basis of American and British COM
promise suggestions now under con-
sideration in Peking and Toxic.
The halting progress of the dis
cussions, however, coupled with suS-
pension of conference negotiations on
other subjects led to renewed rum
blings of disappointment from for.
eign delegations anxious to get home.
Conference officials were talking to-
night of a resumption of the sessions
of the Far Eastern committee next
week, although "a hours before they
had indicated that the committee
would not re-assemble until the Shan
tung problem had been solved.
Besides Shantung, the general Far
Eastern issues constitute virtually the
only remaining business of the con-
ference. A reply still is awaited from
Tokyo regarding the Pacific fortifi-
cations section of the naval treaty,
but most of the delegates are so
confident that the point will be easily
settled that they are beginning to
speak of the naval negotiations as a
closed chapter.
A view that the Far Eastern dis
cussions should be held in allegiance
to give free rein for the Shantung
negotiations has been emphasized in
American quarters. it being argued
that the Japanese and Chinese group
were fully occupied with the ques-
ton of the Kiao Chow leasehold and
that the Far Eastern committee
could so on ahead without them.
1t is evident, however, that not all
delegations agree with the Amer
lean view. After nine weeks of dis
cussion and with important politi-
ical developments shaping in foreign
capitals, some delegates are out
spoken in their desire to avoid every
unnecessary delay in the main task.
ion are to be expected when the Far
Eastern meetings are resumed is
becoming more apparent.
Today Chung Hui Wang, Chinese
delegate, issued a statement re-af-
firming the determination of China
to press her request for conference
discussion Of the "twenty-one de-
mands,'' despite objections Of the
Japanese. Meantime among other
delegations there developed evidences
that not only this request but the
Chinese proposal for abolition of
spheres of influence and for restora-
tion of leased areas face a dubious
prospect.
Among officials close to the Shan
tung conversations, the opinion pre-
vailed today that both China and
Japan must be ready to adopt a com
promising attitude on the railway
question which caused the deadlock
of two weeks ago If they hope to
reach a settlement of the Shantung
problem here. In other words, both
countries must agree to some formula
which would preserve some of the
final suggestions of both parties but
not all. 1t is believed formula
under discussion is that japan pro-
vide a loan by Japanese capitalists
for the restoration OF the railway
but with the abandonment by Japan
Of her claim for the appointment Of
Japanese railway experts to such
posts as traffic manager and chief
accountant.
The delegates today advanced far
into the discussion of the restitution
of the leased territory of Kiao Chow.
The Japanese agreed to turn over to
China all official documents which
have been accumulated, notably those
referring to land titles. on Mon
day the delegates will take up the
question of how soon the territory
is to be restored and then go on 10
the questions Of the salt fields and
the iron and coal mines.
Meantime the question OF Pacific
Notifications is in the hands OF the
Japanese cabinet, as q result or the
new proposal to define an exact zone
of limitation Of Notifications to the
present status.
II is expected that a favorable
answer will be received from Toxic in
time TO complete naval discussions
next week, 1t was learned today that
the new zone proposition which
emanated from the British delega-
tion was the cause of a somewhat
heated discussion when it was
broached to the conferees, but no
one expects a serious hitch will de-
velop now.
plans for the general treaty re-
eardinp the Far East are solidifying.
The American delegation met today
to give its first attention to the ten,
tative treaty draft prepared by legal
exnarts The drafting committee
headed nv Elihu Root also whipped
into shane the separate resolution
SUGGESTING reduction of the armed