Evening star., 1922-01-18
FILL TEXT OF PARLEY
DISCUSSION UPON ISSUE
Mr. Hughes Presents Definite Plan to Bring
Equality Of Opportunity and
EXPLAINS in Detail.

the arms conference, issued at the
close Of yesterdays meeting:
Eighteenth meeting of the commit
tee on Pacific and far eastern Ques-
tions. January Is. 1922 (continued).
After the adoption Of the resolu-
lions regarding the revision of the
Chinese tariff and customs duties the
chairman (Mr. Hughes) suggested
that the committee proceed to the
next topic upon the American agenda
II. e., 1.-The opep door," or equality
of commerciar and industrial oppor-
tunity. The chairman said that this
subject had an intimate connection
with the topic which Immediately
followed it-namely. concessions or
preferential economic privileges. The
committee might possibly make un.
necessary the discussion At length OF
particular details in dealing with
these subjects. If 1t were to adopt,
by agreement Of the powers repre-
sented. q statement of principle In
door" principle The committee had
already resolved that it was the firm
intention of the powers here repre-
sented to use their influence for the
purpose OF effectually estabnsning
equal opportunity for the commerce
And industry Of all nations through
out the territory of China 1t was
manifest that the granting of special
concessions Of monopolistic or pref,
erential character, or which secured
a general superiority of rights for
one power to the exclusion OF equal
opportunity for other powers, was IN
opposition to the maintenance ana
applications Of this principle or eauai
ter might be brought before the com
mittee for discussion with view to
the adoption, 10 possible. OF state
ment q uesgMore in detail than the
general statement already adopted
tion a resolution which he did not
mean to recommend in its precise
phrasing necessarily. but simply as
something concrete for consideration.
Draft Of Resolution.
The chairman then read the follow
ing:
Draft resolution on the open door.
with a view to applying more
.effectually the principle of the open
door or >equality of opportunity for
the trade and industry OF all ma
tions, the powers represented In this
conference agree not to seek or to
support their nationals In asserting
any arrangement which might pur-
port to establish in favor of their in
ferests any general superiority OF
rights with respect to commercial or
economic development in any desig-
mated region Of the territories Of
China. or which might seek to create
any such monopoly or preference as
would exclude other nationals from
dertaking any legitimate trade or
industry or from participating with
the Chinese government in any cate
;gory Of public enterprise-it being
understood that this agreement is
not to be SO construed as to pro-
Aibft the acquisition of such proper
ties or rights as may be necessary to
nhe conduct Of q particular CONNER
Sir Auckland Geddes said:
II should like to say. first, that we
accept and are in the most hearty
agreement with the purpose of this
resolution. There are. however. one
or two points. principally drafting
points. on which would like to in
dtfate some discussion.
The drst point Is this: As the pro-
posed resolution stands, it applies to
China, or rather to the Chinese gov
.srnment, and through 1t to Chinese
nationals. At least. I read it so.
tention. because that would have the
effect Of putting Chinese merchants
or traders"
The Chairman (interposing): "That
II not the intention"
Sir auckland Geddes: THAT is not
The Chairman: mo. That is not
Sir Auckland Geddes: II understand.
!! am really dealing with a pure draft
ing point, then, which 1t Is not nec-
'essary to 0ursne further at this mo-
Brisss Up Second Point.
The nsxt- point of more than
to bring forward for ~"i" discussion. xen.ofs is
tone which really arises at the end
OF the draft resolution. I call atten-
ton to the words. 1t being under
stood that the agreement is not to be
.sition Of such properties or rights
~ may be necessary to the conduct
81 Q particular commercial or indus
erisI undertakinE.'
venture to suggest that unless
.difncuity may arise IN future out tof Of
such q prdviso as that. ObyiousIy
there must be certain relaxations Of
The central principle OF the resolu-
l,oa that Is recognised in the resolu-
:tion itself; but how much relaxation
- to be allowed and how are we
TO define the amount of relaxation
70 oe allowed. 80 that there may not
ne international discussion without
'ena over the Interpretation of this
'ciause! it OCCURS to me that it may
not be beyond the range Of. possf-
:othty to apply some quite simple
mechinery in the way of q court Of
Fsference to which such matters
could be submitted.
That is an important matter.
Sh!nk, with regard to these proposals.
The next point wish to raise is
Iatner small. It Is again In connec-
Saon with the last part of the reso-
lutton. quite understand that it is
done. that this resolution should he
loaded with details, but we have
:socn things as patent rights, trade
}Sar,ks. }Sa. Z, copyrights. etc, Ito provide
such things as mining permits Those
have TO be looked after and, I think.
arc not covered by the wording Of
moment >e
'The other points I have to raise
on fhis resolution. I think, are ali
On the nature Of drafting amend
sments. and perhaps 1t would be better
,1or me not TO take them up at this
time unless 1t Is proposed to COM
today" =. '' ~s'ef
Hughes Replies to Geddes.
The chairman said that, with re-
.spect to the important questions
raised by Sir Auckland Geddes, he
did not think that they presented
Sny points about which there would
He disagreement. In the first place,
the intention. Of course. was not to
itions between China and her own
nationals. In two or three Of the
RESOLUTIONS, adopted by the commit
zee. which were manifestly intended
to state the attitude and agreement