Evening star., 1922-01-20
TO REVEAL
COMMITMENTS IN
CHINA BY consent
Resolution Calling for Pub
Iication Expected to Be
Adopted This Afternoon.
PROGRESS lNSURES :
EARLY PARLEY END
Reported Chinese Will Refuse to
Sign Nine. Power Treaty-Shan-
tung Issue Yet to Be Settled.
RY q. GOULD LINCOLN.

BY q. GOULD JlNCOLN.
A step of far-reaching Importance to
China and to the other powers inter-
ested in the far eastern situation will
be taken, it is expected, at a meeting
of the far east committee of the Wash
ington conference this afternoon-adop-
ton of resolution calling for the pub
LEGATION of all past commitments regard
ing China entered into by China with
other nations, and by other nations in
regard to China.
Informal assent, given by the various
delegations at yesterdays meeting of
the committee. will be crystalized in
such a resolution. 1t will be presented,
it is expected. by Secretary Hughes.
The committee on the far east Is
making such progress in the consid
Grafton of subjects on the conference
agenda that the hope is again ex-
pressed in conference circles that two
weeks will see the wind-up of the
conference. But it is well under
conference is to remain in session
until consideration of all these far
eastern questions has been completed,
whether it takes two weeks or longer.
Suggestions that the Chinese dele
cation will refuse to sign the pro-
posed nine power treaty. dealing with
Chinese affairs, could not be Verified
in Chinese quarters today. 1t was
said that members of the Chinese
delegation decline to affirm any such
intention.
China Gains Much.
Moreover it was admitted that China
stands to gain much from the Wash
ington conference-to be in far
better position than before the con-
ference opened. The very fact that
the powers represented in Washing
ton propose to enter into solemn
agreement-all of them together-to
respect the integrity of China, to
adhere to the open door policy. to
respect the neutrality of China, to
give up the practice of making secret
agreements in regard to China. which
would violate the principles lafd down
in the Root resolutions, gives the
situation a very different aspect from
what it bore in the past ,
If any of the nations undertake to
violate the provisions of the treaty, 1t
is to be expected that China will ap-
peal quickly to the signatories to the
lIlSlc Ildy OC III SiG
proposed treaty which would compel
the nations to go to the assistance of
China in the event their attention
should be called to infringements upon
China which are in violation of the
treaty-the treaty has not yet been
drafted-but there will be strong
implication that nations will lend their
good offices in the event of any con-
troversy to see that China gets square
deal.
While it is true that the Chinese
are desirous of having the status of
China as sovereign state fully rec
ognized, and that they look askance
eign domination, the fact remains
that China, under the terms of the
proposed nine-power treaty, will be
given an opportunity to develop
alone, to set up a stable and unified
government, which in turn will en-
strong, sovereign state now desired.
Disappointed Over Tariff.
The Chinese are frankly disappoint-
ed at the result of the action of the
conference on the Chinese tariff. They
were particularly anxious to. obtain at
least a promise of tariff autonomy.
The agreement entered into gives
them an effective S per cent, which
they point out. was already guaran-
teed them in past treaties. However,
it is gain. since at present they have
been receiving less than per cent,
in fact ABOUT 3k per cent. Also there
is a promise of an increase to ia per
cent and still further increases.
But the Chinese are getting rid of
one thing at the Washington con-
ference which they have considered
a handicap in the past-the Anglo
Japanese alliance.
Also there is to be settlement Of
the Shantung problem before the con-
ference adjourns-a settlement which
Is considered of the very greatest
Importance to the Chinese-unless
present plans go much awry. In
fact the Shantung matter is con-
sidered so vital that other subte It's
before the conference are being held
up until it is disposed of.