South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-01-19
ELIMINATE VITAL
ELEMENT IN j. s.
OPEN DOOR PLAN
French, Japs and British Side
track Move to Investigate
All Concessions.
PRINCIPLE IS ACCEPTED
Resolution Pledges Consent to
Seek No More Spheres
of Influence.

E1 Associated Press.
WASHINGTON. Jan. 1S-The AM
erican open door program was ac-
copted in principle Wednesday by
tho Far Eastern committee Of the
arms conference. but approval was
given only after elimination of the
provision which would have specific
a,ly authorized an inquiry into exist
ing conditions in China
The French. renewing their objeC
ton to reopeninE the whole field OF
concessions granted i'm the past, were
seconded by the japanese and the
proposel was finally thrown out en-
+ elv at the suggestion Of the Brit
l-h. The Chinese reserved the right
to call it up again later. but the
general impression among the dele
gates Wednesday night was that II
had been permanently sidetracked.
Viewed by many delegates as the
most sweeping provision of the
American plan, the existing cOnces-
sious article was the center of debate
iu the committee from the moment
n its presentation Wednesday by
Secy. Hughes until it finally was
stricken out wednesday. various
delegates opposing il on the ground
that IL might lead 20 an almost end
Jess inquiry into the validity Of the
maze OF economic agreement now in
force throughout China. For the
American delegation, however it was
said Wednesday night that the elm
mated article was not considered Of
vital importance.
No Spheres OF influence.
As adopted the open door resolu-
ton contains a pledge not 10 seek
spheres of influence or monopOlies
in China in the future and author
izcd creation OF an international
board of reference with power TO in
vestigate and report on any case
which seems to involve violation of
the principle Of equal economic and
commercial opportunity.
Turning TO the problem of railway
control I'm China, the committee
heard two resolutions proposed for
promotion and development of Chi
ucse railroads. The first introduced
ny Sir Auckland Geddes. of the Brit
ish delegation would pledge the pO-
wers against discriminatory pract-
ices on roads under their control.
The other. presented by Secy Hughes
would express a hope that the trans
portations limo I'm China might be
welded eventually into unified sy-s-
tenn under Chinese control.
Tn neither OF fhc proposals was
there exception made in regard TO
The SaantunS or Mauchurian lines,
now under japanese supervision. but
the COMMITTEES recognized the sepa-
rate status OF the Chinese eastern
railway by referring that whole sub
fecJ TO a special subcommittee OF
far eastern experts.
Make Shantung Progress
The separate negotiations between
lhe japanese and Chinese over the
general Shantung problem were ad-
y1uCed one more step Wednesday
hy an agreement for return 10
china Of the coal and iron mines
iu Kiao Chow leased territory. on
me question ON the return railway.
however. there we're no further de-
velopmeuts both delegations saying
they were still awaiting instructions
from their governments regarding
the Hughes Balfour compromise
suggestions
fn the negotiations relating 10 the
val treaty there also was a COM
Ieto lapse Of activity. The inter
ed delegations are said. 10 be