The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1922-01-21
WASHINGTON
CONFERENCE
KILLING TIME
Preliminary Agree
ment in Principle"
Seems to Have Had
No Su b S t a n t ia
Meaning

Washington. Jan. II (By the AS
sociated Press).-An American
proposal TO redefine the open
door policy in China and create an
international board to examine
both existing and future conces-
sions which appear to conflict with
i was debated without decision to-
day by the Far Eastern committee
OF the Washington conference.
The British and Italians accepted
the plan in principle, but the
French withheld assent to some of
its provisions and the Japanese re-
served judgment pending COM
munication with Tokyo. The sub
ject will be taken up again to-
morrow. with .all signs pointing l."
a long and interesting discussion.
In brief. the American resoiu-
tinn would bind the United States.
Great Britain. Japan. France. Italy.
Belgium, Portugal and the Meth
erlands nor tosseek special spheres
Of influence IN China nor secure
concessions or monGpolieS which
would ;Ibridge the principle Of
equal economic and commercial
opportunity.
China. on her part, would agree
to cooperate in maintaining that
equality. and the nine powers col
lectively would authorize est;tb-
l;shment of q board Of reference to
review present and future conces-
sions to determine whether they
conflict With the open door thus
defined
No Great Activity.
Except for another inconclusive
session OF the Shantung negotia-
tons and informal exchanges
among the naval big five" re-
garding the Pacific fortifications
agreement. the meeting Of the Far
Eastern committee constituted the
total OF conference activities dur
ing the day. At the Shantung con-
versations. the question OF mines
was discussed with no apparent
progress. and the fortifications
problem remained unsolyed tonight
despite receinE@by the Japanese of
partial Instructions from Tokyo.
1t was around the proposal for
an inquiry into concessions now
established in China, as we'll as
those proposed in the future, that
most OF the debate in the Far East
ern committee centered. BY some
OF the delegates it was understood
That such an inquiry might open up
he whole question OF Japanese
holdings in Manchuria. while. in
other quarters it was suggested
that the resolution might. by indi-
rtttion. lead 10 q. review OF the
board OF the famous "twen,y-one
demands" controversy.
In that connection ii was pointed
cut that whereas the boards duties
in connection with future conceS-
sions would be confined under the
terms of the resolution To in
vestigation and report" it would
be authorized to inquire into eN-
listing concessions for the purpose
Of endeavoriI,S to arrive at Il satis-'
factory adjustment on equitable
terms
Many Questions Asked.
Many questions regarding the
nieanin. OF the resolution were
asked Of Secretary Hughes and
answered by nim during the COM
mittee meeting. but there still was
apparent among the delegates to-
night a divergence Of views as to
the exact powers which might be
assumed by the new board.
In the Chinese delegation the
American plan was hailed az Il
long step in the direction of restor-
ed Chinese integrity. by American
spokeSnen 4 similar View was 'X
pressed. hlSt, most OF the other del
cgations withheld comment. The
proposal had taken them by sur
prise. and when they realized MS
possible extent they al indicated
thar. It minute study OF detauS
would h. necessary before action
could be taken. So completely ua-
expected was the proposal III TACT
that when Secretary Hughes tad
completed its reading at the con-
nittcc meeting There was an ln-
term of silence which delegates
said became embarrassing helor:
il WAS broken. After the sever"i
delegations had waited for Scn'e
time without any one Volunteering
70 open discussion. Senator Schan-
Zcr. head Of the lta!ians. 'oSe ana
asked n question abCa; he NEAR
irs Of some OF the pro .$!"nS. Sc,
rr,aly Hughes repV opened i
general discussion wfu"t coalin :
.l:.-d with some ani,.:.r;nn tnr ;ii.'.e
Enii;.'