Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-01-18
open DOOR FOR
Chinese EMPIRE
IS PROPOSED
Resolution For World Court
Is Offered By United
States Delegation
NO MORE CONCESSIONS
Britain and Italy Accept Proposal
AS Whole and Japan Accepts in
Principle

Washington, Jan. 18.-Anothel
open door declaration designed to
give China more effectual protection
against the grabbing of spheres OF
influence and concessions that the
old open door declarations, and ap,
parently making possible review OF
some violations of the open door IN
the past, has been offered by the
American delegation in the Far East
ern Committee it was officially STA
ted last night.
The American delegation regards
the resolution, which was submitted
by Mr.. Hughes, as of large import,
ance, and is very hopeful that it will
be adopted, although predictions
were made last night that there will
be prolonged discussion. The British
and Italians have accepted, and the
japanese have accepted I'm prlnci-
ple." Some questions have been
raised by NJ. Albert Sarraut, Of the
French delegation as to the effect on
existing concessions, and debate on
the resolution is to be continued to-
day.
The American resolution declares
that none of the powers in this Con-
ference shall acquire rights or con.
cessions in China to the exclusion OF
other powers of their nationals. 1t
then proposes to set up sort OF IN
ternational board of review. to IN
vestigate and announce the facts IN
any case in which it may be alleged
that rights or concessions given a
power invade the rights of the ma
tionals of other powers under the
open-door principle.
This means that after stating in
the rnoE;y explicit terms at the. com-
mand Of the American delegation
what the open door in China really is
the American proposal is that there
be a tribunal which would apply
what amounts to a law that the pow
ers would impose upon themselves
Instead of formal protests at long
distance, as in the past, when there
have been allegations of violations, a
body composed of representatives
of the signing powers would investl-
gate at first hand and make its re-
port to the world.
Of course, the report would not be
binding upon all the nations. A ma
ton that has obtained a concession
to the exclusion of other nations
might stand on it's bargain and re.
fuse to be moved by the report of
the commission. That is recognized
by the American delegates who say
that no agreement can be reached
here that would infringe upon the
sovereignty of any nation. But Mr..
Hughes and the other American del
egates believe that with the light
turned on the chances are strong that
no nation would insist upon holding
a concession that violated the rights
cf others.
The possibility that concessions OBJ
tanned in the past. in violation of the
frequently reiterated pledges to main
tain the open door, may be reviewed
if the American resolution is adopted
arises from a provision that if any
existing concession appears to be
inconsistent with another concession
or with the policy of the open door as
stated, the investigating body shall
take it under consideration. 1t is
pointed out that China might easily
find ways to create tes cases under
this section.
The powers in this Conference
other than China are parties to the
open door agreement, under the plan
Of the American delegation, and in a
separate section China gives its
promise to be guided by the princi-
Piles stated in making any conces-
sions. For the purpose of getting
the reviewing body under way the
special conference of representatives
of the powers that is to meet in
China to give further consideration
to the customs question is to be
directed to work out a detailed plan
of organization.