The Washington herald., 1922-01-06
MEDIATION Is seen
Hughes and Balfour May
Be Asked Today to Act
On Shantung.
CHARGE JAPANESE
ARE SEEKING DELAY
Pekin Delegates Allow
Tokyo Until 3 P. M. to
Accept Proposal.

The Shantung proposals were
drifting steadily on the rocks last
night. 1t seemed almost certain
that Messrs. Hughes and Balfour
would be asked today TO use their
good offices to prevent a complete
break.
Last night the Chinese asked the
JaEanese to accept complete pay
ment for tie ShantunG Railway in
three installments, the whole to be
finished and title passed in nine
months. This was speedily rejected.
A counter proposition was set
forth. 1t suggested that the Chi
nese consortium pay for the railroad
Immediately and that title pass back
to China. The payment was TO be
m accordance with the price fixed
by the Versailles r-parations ex-
perts.
Rejection Is Foreseen.
japan was given until . o'clock
this afternoon to accept or reject
Last night Japanese officials said
that in their opinion acceptance is
out of the question.
1t is expected tAat as soon as
definite rejection is recorded today
the Chinese will propose that Messrs'
Hughes and Balfour be invited TO
sit in as mediators. They had
agreed to do this when wanted.
TT is apparent that we arc fac
ing a deadlock" said Chinese
spokesman last night .There is no
use of going ahead here with Japan
refusing to accept our viewpoint.
The lives of the Chinese delegation
would be worth nothing IL they were
to consent to anything but complete
surrender of the Shantung territory
TO China, its rightful owner.
at Point OF Pistsl.- -
The Japanese have been 'stalling
in their negotiations. They seem TO
de sire to keep the matter away from
an agreement until the conference
breaks up. Then they would be able
to refuse to make any concessions
whatever. We cannot consent TO
this.
Put IL is not alone Shantung that
the Japanese are trying to befuddle.
They have refused to consent TO
consideration by this conference oil
the twenty-one demands on the
ground that they are covered in
treaty. What sort of treaty
Would you consider that you had
voluntarily surrendered your watch
and money if you were compelled to
give IL up at the point of pistol?
That is how Japan got her twenty
one-point treaty-at the point of
pistol.
Conference is Reluctant.
There is no use OF further con-
cealinE the facts. The American
people should know now that ia
pan is not willing to make any
concession to China. Her delega-
ton accepted in principle the pro-
posal to withdraw her troops from
China at yesterdays Far Eastern
committee meeting. But she tied
a string to this acceptance when
she had it agreed that direct neEo-
tiations shall he held to determine
how the troops are to be withdrawn
and when IL is proper so to do.
Once moro the Japanese are pulling
tho wool over the eyes OF the
American people and the people OF
the world"
Despite this statement. however.
ii was understood last night that
Z
twenty-ope demands. as such, will
not be taken up. Certain Of them
will individually. but that is as far
as it will he thought best to go.
Appeals to Hughes.
Meanwhile the Chinese National
Welfare Society in America last
night sent the following personal
appeal to Chairman Hughes:
Tho undersigned organization
representing thousands of the
Chinese people. who, having been
privileged to live in America, are
! loyal to America and her institu-
tions-most respectfully and earn
estly urges you as chairman to pre-
sent to the Limitation of armament
conference. for full and open dis
cussion and subsequent action by
the whole conference, the following
questions:
Il. Reconsideration of the twenty
one demands and cancellation Of ali
| inter-related treaties.
80. Restoration of Shantung 10
China.
"3. Autonomy for China in de-
termninC and effectuating tariff
regulations.
Any attempt to solve the prob
lens of the Far East which ignores
full discussion of and just action
upon these questions SO vital, no,
only to the welfare. but actually 20
the very existence of China as .
free and independent state. is bound
to prove abortive and thus defea,
completely its own. object. On the
other hand. a full and frank dis
cussion of these vital questions fol-
lowed by just decision concerning
them. will 90 far toward securine
for China the simple justice which
she asks and toward guaranteeinp
permanent peace and good order in
the Orient"