Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-01-19
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PLAl, FOR CHINA
Approval Given Only After
Eliminating Clause to
Authorize a Probe of Ex-
iSting Concessions.
CBs The Associnted Press.l

Washington, Jan. 8 (by the AS
sociated Press. 1.-The American
open door program was accepted in
part today by the Far Eastern
committee of the arms conference,
but approval was given only after
elimination of the provision which
would have authorized an inquiry
into existing concessions in China
The French, renewing their OBJ
lection to reopening the whole field
OF concessions granted in the past,
were seconded by the Japanese.
and the proposal was finally
thrown out at the suggestion of the
British. The Chinese reserved the
right to call 1t up again, but the
general impression among the del
cgation was that it had been per
manently sidetracked so far as this
conference is concerned
Viewed by many delegates as the
most sweeping suggestion of the
American plan, the existing con-
cessions article was the center Of
debate, various delegates opposing
it on the ground that 1t might lead
to an almost endless inquiry into
the validity of the maze of econo-
mic arrangements in force in
China. For the American delega
tion, however, it was said that the
eliminated article was not consid-
cred Of vital importance since re-
naming provisions of the plan
would permit examination of exist
ing concessions where both parties
agree to it.
As adopted, the open door reso-
luton contains a mutual pledge
not to seek spheres of influence
or monopolies in China, and au-
thorizes creation of an internado
al board of reference with power
| to investigate and report any case
which seems to involve violation of
the principle of equal economic
and commercial opportunity.
Returning to the problem of rail-
way control in China, the commit
tee laid the groundwork for tomor-
rows discussions by hearing two
resolutions proposed for promoting
equitable development of Chinese
rail facilities. The first. introduced
by Sir Auckland Geddes of the
british delegation, would pledge
the powers against discriminatory
practices ~ roads under their con-
troll. Tho other, presented by Sec
retary Hughes, would express a
hope that the transportation lines
in China might be welded eventu-
ally into unified system, under
Chinese control.
Scparatc Status Realized.
In neither proposal was there ex-
ception made on the Shantung or
Manchurian lines, now under Jap
anese supervision, but the commit
tee recognized the separate status
Of the Chinese Eastern railway by
referring that whole subject to a
special committee of Far East
ern experts. The latter road,
traversing the border between
Manchuria and Siberia, now is un-
der the control of an interallied
commission. .
The negotiations between the
Japanese and Chinese over the
general Shantung problem were
advanced one more step today by
an agreement f4r return to China
of the coal apd from mines in Kiao
Chow, leased territory. on the
pivotal question of the return of
the Shantung railway, however,
there were no further develop
ments.
In the negotiations on the naval
treaty there also was lapse of
activity, the second dealing with
Pacific Notifications remaining in
an uncertain status.