New-York tribune., 1922-01-20
Secret Pacts
On China To
Be Revealed
Hughes Asks Submission
OF All Agreements as Aid
TO Harmony, and Pow
crs Express Assent
By Thomas Steep

WASHINGTON, Jan. 1s. - Secret
treaties relating to China are to be
laid on the table" before the arma-
ncnt limitation conference With view
OF testing their validity or Of harmo-
nl2lng them with the doctrine of the
open door. At the initiation Of the
United States virtual agreement was
reached to-day that each Of the nine
powers. including China, shall submit
for publication and consideration by
the conference all commitments, secret
or otherwise, made with China directly
or between foreign powers respecting
China, which were designed to create
special spheres of influence, exclusive
trade privileges or domination Of
Chinese internal affairs. The lists are
TO include all those agreements con-
cluded by Japan under the twenty-one
demands, the Li-Lobanoff treaty Of
1895 between China and Russia. under
which Russia began her aggression in
Manchuria and Corea, thereby laying
the basis for the Russo-Japanese War
OF 1904-'0. and all treaties concluded
between European powers without
China's consent.
Secretary Of State Hughes announced
before the committee on Pacific and
Far Eastern questions that the Amer
lean delegation had prepared resolu-
tion binding all the powers to a revela-
tion of all treaties respecting
China. The proposal WAS circulated
among the delegates, but was withheld
from publication pending its discus
sion tomorrow Although no vote was
taken Mr.. Hughes, it is known. was
given assurance that an agreement on
the proposal is assured.
Would End Spoliatior
Under the Hughes proposal the his
her to sign secret treaties in consid-
Grafton of loans or by way Of in
IDENTITIES, or Of compelling her to yield
rights because Of treaties concluded by
foreign powers is, it is expected, to
be abandoned forever
DR.. Wellington Koo Of the Chinese
delegation. asked that after commit
ments nave been presented by each
power some machinery for examining
into their validity be established. that
action by the conference be retroactive
that any secret treaties not made pub
lie be held to be invalid and that all
commitments found not to be in accord
with the open door and territorial in
tegrity policy be harmonized with the
principles adopted by the conference.
The Chinese delegation hopes thus TO
have the conference consider Japan's
twenty one demands. in spite of the
elimination yesterday Of the retroac-
tive feature of the Hughes proposal
for applying the open door principle
throunh an international board of ref
erence.
Responding 10 a question by Dr. Koo
whether commitments were to include
not only those to which China is a
party but also others between powers
Involving China. Mr.. Hughes said it is
"ntended to include everything af-
fecting China
Belief that the proposal will be
adopted tomorrow was indicated by
the opinions expressed By the heads Of
delegations. Sir Auckland Geddes said
Great Britain was fully prepared to
furnish and publish all commitments
it had made with China. Baron Shide-
hara said Japan would lind no difficulty
ments. but he expressed doubt VIII ether
commitm ents made by individuals with
the Chinese government could be found.
Japan Declares Willingness
Mr.. Hughes explained that, while
governments were not expected to fur
nish lists Of commitm ents Of which it
had no knowledge. it was desired that
commitments which involved Indirectly
governmental concessions should be
NJ ade known. Nhereupon Baron Shide-
hara said Japan favored the plan COR
daily. Albert Sarraut, Of the French
delegation. said France had no secret
treaties with China.
Dr.. Koo said that or Chinas part
nothing would be withheld He de-
cIared that the only engagement China
had entered into about which all the
facts were not known was the Ii
Lobanoff treaty Of 1896, which he was
prepared to furnish This treaty con
cerned the Chinese Eastern Railway.
which connects with the South Man
fcnntIruad sn nsxt pase)