Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1922-01-21
UNEXPECTED ACTION BY
FAR EASTERN COMMITTEE

Washington, Jan. 90 (By the A. 'P).-|
The American proposal to lay openly be-
fore the world aA the treaties and un->
dertakings that relate to China met with
an unexpected setback today when it
came before the Far Eastern committee
of the arms conference for formal adop-
tion.
Although such step had been agreed
to yesterday, "in principle" the problem
of defining the exact scope of the agree
ment precipitated long debate and af-
ter several changes had been made in the
draft presented by the American delega-
ton, final action was postponed at the
suggestion of Japan
The committee did adopt however, a
resolution expressing the hope of the
powers that China speedily would reduce
the large military forces now maintained
within her borders. That action, the res
| olution declared, was considered requisite
! to any real financial rehabilitation OIL the
| Chinese government.
Meantime, in another subdivision Of
the conference. the ground work was laid
| for another international gathering which
some delegates seemed to regard as a
| partial realization of President Harding s
plan for a continuing series OF meetings
! ;.
mittee on draft, headed by EAihu Root
| approved>a resolution putting over re-
vision of the rules OF warfare to a future
conference Which, it is contemplated, shall
be called by the United States in the neal
| future.
For the first time in several weeks dis.
cussion of the Washington negotiation:
broke out during the day on the floor Of
| the senate, where a resolution was pre-
sented by Senator Walsh, democrat. Mon
tana. asking information about the statu.
OF the Shantung controversy. Both Sena
tors Lodge and Underwood, members o.
the American delegation, told their col
leagues the Shantung conversations wer,
near conclusion, and that If they faile,
there seemed to be no hope of bringin,
the question before the conference proper
On the naval side of the conference, tn
situation continued unchanged, witt
Japan still Withholding assent to the ar
ticle dealing with Pacific Notifications
1t developed. however. that the hitch wa
over inclusion of the Japanese islands O
the oBnin group under the fertilization
status quo" and that difference of viey
on the question had arisen between tn
japanese delegates and their home gov
ernment.
Discussion of the treaty uubl;catio
centered about the p-oposa Ito include i
the published list of commitments tn
various commercial agreements entere
INTO between Chinese authorities an
private individuals abroad. Since III
= foreign governments are not themselve
parties to these understandings. the Jar
! anese suggested it would be difficult /
make complete compilation of then
II was said. however, that no open OF
I | position to the resolution came to m
surface. and American spokesmen DR.,
dicted tonight that it would be adoptet
In the view of the Chinese the comni
t ments to which foreign individuals an
not foreign governments are parties il
! clude some of the most important ,
q those now exercising an influence G
g China's development. Many of the raj
road andNoan agreements, they saw. a,
of that character. making it requisite tn;
e the resolution be of the broadest possib
s. scope if it is to accomplish the .'shoy
(, down" sought by the American deleg;
s ton.