Evening star., 1922-01-15
CHINA'S STRUGGLE
TO HOLD STAGE OF
PARLEY THIS WEEK

(COntlnueQ from f1rSt Page.)
and Japan in May, 1915, is still alive,
according to the best opinion obtain
able here.
Situation Is Ticklish.
But the situation is ticklish, to say
the least. If Japan refuses to per-
nit a discussion of the 1915 treaty in
the conference, on the ground that
it is matter between herself and
China-just as in the case of the
Sbantung question-it is not unlikely
that her position will be backed up
by some of the other delegations.
On the other hand. if China should
bring forward certain subjects and
specific application, touched the 1915
Sino-Japanese treaty, then. under the
procedure of the conference, these
matters might be discussed and the
1915 treaty reached indirectly.
Japan Has Conceded.
1t is well to remember at this stage
in the conference that the Japanese
delegation has shown itself not only
open to reason. but willing to make
concessions to bring about agree
ments here and to establish a better
international understanding. Japan
has acquiesced in the 5-5-3 naval
ratio, has been willing to see the
Anglo-Japanese alliance thrown into
the discard and the new four-power
pact relating to the Pacific islands
"a ka nlarp-In
one of the japanese delegates as "ac-
cepting water in place of whisky.
and she has made many concessions
regarding the Shantung matter in an
effort to bring about an adjustment
of that matter with China. If this
same spirit continues to animate the
delegation there is good reason to
believe that the sore spots in the
far east, from which possible war
might be expected, will be obliterated
before the conference closes.
Expect ShantunE Settlement.
In connection with the Shantung dis
cussions which are to be resumed to-
morrow, it may be said that much con-
fidence existed last night among the
various delegations that this contro-
versy was finally to be settled. The
Japanese and Chinese delegations ex-
pect soon to receive further instructions
from their home governments regard
ing informal proposals for an adjust
ment of the railroad question. put for
ward by Mr.. Hughes and Mr.. Balfour.
The American delegation yesterday
began consideration of tentative draft
of the proposed far east treaty, dealing
with China.
The backbone of this treaty will be
the Root principles regarding China,
which the conference has approved. 1t
is expected that the other agreements
regarding China will be included in the
treaty. Of course, the treaty cannot
be put into completed form until the
conference has passed upon the subjects
relating to China still before it, in
Guiding leased territories, spheres Of
influence development of railways.
preferential railroad rates and the
status of some existing commitments.
End Still in Doubt.
A member of the American delega-
tion, when asked last night if he
believed that two weeks more would
see the end of the Washington confer
ence, replied that he hoped so," but
that he was not sure 1t would end so
soon. The American delegation is
fully prepared to see the conference
through to an end and to give ample
time for all questions on the agenda
to be considered. Notwithstanding
the desire of members of foreig dele
cations to get home. they, too. are
inclined to follow the lead Of the
United States in this matter
In addition to the matters relating
to China, there is still to be coRsid-
cred the Siberian question. This is
largely matter of troops stationed
in Siberia by Japan. The Japanese
insist that there must be some assur-
ance Of stable and peaceful conditions
there and that there will be mo inva-
sion Of Korea and Manchuria before
they take their troops out Of Siberia.
This promises to be a hard question
to deal with. But if the conference
receives an affirmation by Japan
that she will withdraw her troops in
portant. it is said.
The Chinese eastern railway ques-
this matter of Siberia, and has its
place on the agenda too. An inter-
allied commission was created to
take over the administration of
the line during the disturbances
in 1918, when the allied forces
were sent into Siberia to main
tain order and assist in the evacua-
tion of the Czechoslovaks there.
China wants the administration of
this railway returned to her, the
line being, on her territory.
Although Secretary Hughes, as
chairman OF the conference, has been
loath to call meetings of the COM
mittee on the far east while the
Japanese and Chinese delegations
were at work on Shantung, believing
that this important work should pro-
ceed without interruption, it was in
dicated last evening that, if meet
ing of the far east committee could
be held tomorrow afternoon without
interrupting the Shantung negotia-
tions, it might be called. If it is.
then the Chinese may launch their
fight for consideration of the twenty
one demands without further delay.
No Open Session Called.
Predictions as to when the next
open plenary session would be held
to consider the naval limitation treaty
have been many and still no open
session has been called. 1t is hoped,
however. that this will be possible
by the middle of the week. There is
a vast amount of detail in this treaty.
which has required much study SO
that the provisions may be set down
with exactness. This work is about
completed and the article relating to
fortifications in the Pacific will be