Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-01-31

tItGty IclIldlIlGu III LIE way VI
The basis of the settlement is un-
derstood to have been the plan sup
ported by President Harding providing
that China pay for the road in treas
ury notes and that Japanese experts
be retained in the operating personnel
during the period of payment.
1t was announced, however, that in
order to work out the remaining de-
tails, the two delegations would meet
again Tuesday. DIR. HOO of the Chi
nese, predicted that before Tuesday
night final and definite settlement
could be announced.
None of the japanese would comment
on the status of the negotiations prior
to a formal announcement and no one
who attended the meeting would dis
close the exact extent to which the
plan supported by the good Offices
of the president. Secretary Hughes
and Arthur J. Balfour had been ap-
proved
Details are Refused
'We made considerable progress on
the basis suggested by our friends, Mr.
Balfour and Secretary Hughes DIR.
koo said.
Pressed for "details. he said that he
did not care to go into details. as he
thought the two mediators- would want
to make Il statement after Tuesdays
meeting. He said. however. that the
agreement thus far reached provided
for a managing director who would be
Chinese and that the traffic manager
and chief accountant. of whatever
nationality" would be subordinate to
the managing director. 1t was under
stood. however, in conference circles
that these two positions. which were
the chief obstacle to settlement.
would be filled by Japanese experts.
Another point seemingly cleared up
was the question of payment, the Chi
nese offering cash, or payments in in
stallments covering II years, with a
three-year option. This was declined
by the japanese. who insisted on loan
covering Is years with a five-year
option.
Demands are Reduced
Through the good Offices of Mr..
Balfour and Secretary Hughes. and
finally President Harding, the japanese
demands were reduced to the point
where they agreed to waive the loan
substituting the installment plan but
over the same period as their suggest
ed loan. Then it came to the question
of control again, with the Chinese ap-
parently willing to accept the terms,
giving the japanese the titles of traffic
and accountant chiefs.
The Chinese delegates then indirectly
made known that they would like to
have the japanese recognize the author
ity of the managing director. normally
Chinese official, on all Chinese rail-
roads, over the two Japanese officials.
The Shantung question, long thorn
IN ha ylo NS fio xr.hif
officially before the arms conference.
was started on the road to settlement
December / through the good offices
of Messrs. Balfour and Hughes. but
encountered many snags.
Little Work Remains
With the naval treaty and Shantung
definitely out of the way, only a very
few collateral issues will stand in the
ference None of these promise to take
long and some of the delegates be-
lieve they may be on their way home
by the end of the week.
Among subjects yet to go through
both the committee and conference
stages of agreement are the proposal
to prohibit importation of arms into
China. settlement regarding the Chi
nese Eastern railway, declaration re-
garding leased territories in China. the
Chinese request for abrogation of the
'.o1 demands treaties and a general
resolution relating to armament.
1t was revealed Monday that the
French had withdrawn their reservation
on surrender of their leased territory
in China and that as Il consequence. an
agreement on that subject was immi-
nent.
Rome Aids in Matter
Final disposal of one of the few
far eastern questions also
had been brought nearer by receipt of
approval from Rome by the Italian
delegation of the proposal to pro-
hibit Importation of arms and ammu-
nition into China. Although approval
of The Netherlands government was
still awaited. it was predicted by some |
of the delegates that the far eastern |
committee might meet before tonight |
to take action on the arms export |