Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-02-02
WORK ALMOST
COMPLETED AT
LAST SESSION
Chinese Treaty, Report on
Railways and q De-
mands Yet Remain
RUSH TO FINISH
Ten Pacts, Agreements and Resolu-
tions Are Formally Approved at
Plenary Session

Washington. Feb. 2.-The Confer
ence on the Limitation of Armament
is now ready for history.
Virtually all of it's work was COM
pleted yesterday in the fifth plenary
session, which lasted from II until
nearly 8 o'clock and was featured by
businesslike purpose to get through
and an almost total absence of thrills
There is left the framing of the
Chinese treaty that will embody the
agreements reached as to China. the
report upon the Chinese Eastern Rail-
way, the debate on the II demands
and another detail or two, action on
all of which is but a matter OF hours.
The delegates fguratively hurled
themselves on this work Immediately
after the plenary session. Chairman
Hughes called meetings of the sub
committee on the railroad and of the
Far Eastern Committee in the same
breath in which he adjourned the
open session.
This driving impulse to be done
with everything led Mr.. Hughes to
depart from his purpose to lay before
the Conference only the naval treaty
and the submarine and poison gas re-
solution embodied in a separate treaty.
In addition he submitted the Shan
tung agreement and large number
of Chinese resolutions adopted by
the Far Eastern Committee.
Hurrying to the end, too, and per-
haps, having an eye on ten-strlke
for the British upon public opinion,
Mr. Baifour arose in the open ses-
sion following the Shantung announce
merit and stated the British will re-
turn the Wei-Hei.Wei leasefto China,
It&dught to have thrilled. Butt did
not. The lease is not very. important
and the British action was expected
sooner or later.
Also seeing the end in sight NJ. Al
bert Sarraut, of the French delega-
tion, took advantage of the submission
of the naval treaty and of Frances as
sent to it, to deliver lengthy speech
of imperialism, especially the charges
from the American press. That also
ought to have thrilled but it did not
M. Sarraut had the misfortune OF the
BRAND and Viviani speeches having
been given as samples of French elo-
quence and he was not equal to the
standard.
The one real thrill, unless the reali-
Zation that Shantung was at last a
settled issue gave thrill when Ba-
ron Shidehara and Minister SEE spoke,
came from Secretary Hughes. He was
on his feet most of the time, rafting
along as rapidly and as Unconditional
ly as a tailor giving measurements.
concluded his discussion of the naval
treaty. in which he has had deeper
more feverent personal interest than
in anything else.
This treaty absolutely ends the
race in naval competition" declared
Mr.. Hughes in a stirring voice that
brought quick, emphatic applause. at
is the greatest forward step to es-
tablish the reign of peace"
The agreements submitted to the
Conference in the plenary session and
given the assent of the powers fol-
low:
Naval treaty. including Pacific
Notifications agreement.
Treaty embodying the Root sub
marine and poison gas resolutions.
Shautung agreement reached
between the Chinese and Jap
anese delegates. (This did not re-
quire assent.)
Agreement to abolish foreign
postoffice in China by January
l, 1923.
Agreement for international
commission to study situation as
to foreign troops in China and
make recommendations looking
to removal.
Resolution guaranteeing the
open door in China with supple
mental agreement of powers not
to support their nationals in vio-
lations of the open door.
Resolutions against discrimi-
nation on railroadS in China, with
recommendation that Chinese
roads be unified under Govern
ment control.
Resolution advising China to
diSband the troops now under
arms and controlled either by the
Government or by provincial
leaders, thus to reduce disburse-
mentS.
Agreement that all treaties, con-
ventions, exchanges of notes, in
ternational understandings, con-
cessions, ETC., affecting China be
filed with the Secretary General,
new ones to be made public with
in 60 days after consummation
Agreement to restore China's
rights in radio stations on her
soil, with supplementary state
ment disavowing judgment as to
facts in case of each station and
insisting upon a plan Of open