New-York tribune., 1922-01-19
Article That Permits Re
vision Is Eliminated,
bul Chinese Delegates
" i'll Offer Substitute
Shidchara Says Y. 5.
Has Changed Policy
Hughes Cites Diplomatic
Notes 10 Show Ii H;s,
Merely Been Clarified
By Thomas Steep

lcas proposals for literal applica-
ton Of the open door policy in China
were adopted by the conference CON-
mttee on Pacific and Far Eastern
questions to-day after the section.
known as Article ", providing for
a review Of existing concessions, i'll
cluding those made to Japan under
the famous twenty-onc demands, was
eliminated.
The first three articles, concurrcd
in by all the powers and accepted by
the Chinese delegates as construo-
tive step toward relieving the
Chinese Republic from foreign con-
troll, provided for the abandonment
of the old spheres Of influence sys-
tenn, for the abolition of all future
attempts of one nation to gain cx-
elusive economic rights and for the
establishment of an international
board of reference, which is to sit
permanently in China for the set
tlement Of disputes.
China to Offer Substitute
Objections raised by Japan caused
the elimination of the fourth article.
which was retroactive, since it would
permit China to take before the board
of reference all its past commitments
thought to be in violation of the prin-
ciple of the open door and equal op-
portunity for all.
Baron Shidehara, the Japanese Min
ister, proposed an amendment to re
move the retroactive feature, but at
the suggestion of Sir Robert Borden.
the delegate from Canada, and with
the approval of Secretary Of State
Hughes, the whole article was dropped
with q privilege extended to the
Chinese delegates that they could later
offer resolution embodying the same
proposal in an independent form. Ar
thur J. Balfour and Sir Auckland Ged-
des, having previously given their sup
port to the entire American proposal,
joined with Albert Sarraut, Of the
desire to eliminate the last article.
Differences of opinion developed
among the delegates as to the value
of the eliminated provision. Some held
| that it would be disadvantageou to
China, since the board Of reference,
on the receipt of complaint that eN-
listing concessions granted to Japan
were violative of the open door policy,
was not compelled to take any action.
Chna's desire to have her past wrongs
remedied might thereby be indefinitely
delayed, it was said.
Clause Not Considered Vital
Mr.. Hughes. it was learned, believes
the elimination of the retroactive fea-
ture of the proposal to be immaterial.
The Secretary of State. who presented
the proposal, is convinced that great
step in China's behalf was taken when
all the powers not only agreed to a
Joint application Of the open door, but
provided the machinery in the board of
reference for its practical operation.
AS finally adopted the proposal was
accepted by the Chinese delegates as
Koo announced that no time would be
| lost by himself and his fellow Chinese
delegates in proposing an Independent
resolution calling for consideration
of all existing concessions, including
those made to Japan in Manchuria, in
ner Mongolia, Shantung and elsewhere
under the twenty-onc demands. DR..
Koo said the resolution might be pre-
| sented tomorrow.
"The fear Of opening up the cues
| ton of existing concessions in China
! seems to be unfounded," said DR.. Koo.
"If the existing concessions arc fair
and not in violation of the open door
principle, why should there be any
fear of a review of them? If they are
violative of the open door principle,
then so long as they continue disputes
will arise. The sooner such disputes
are settled the better. This conference
was called to settle disputes i'll the
Far East. For this reason we feel
justified in holding that existing con-
cessions, however and whenever made,
sh Id be open to review"
u. S. Proposal Summarized
The chief features of the American
proposal as adopted to-day are:
! That the powers, other than China,
"with a view to applying more ef-
fectively the principles of the. open
j door or equality of opportunity in
China for the trade and industry Of
all nations" agree not to seek or to
support their nationals in seeking any
superiority of commercial or economic
rights in any designated regions Of
China, and agree further not to seek
any monopoly by agreement with the
Chinese government that would be in
: consistent with the policy Of equal op-
portunity.
: That the Chinese government agrees
not to grant an exclusive monopolistic
right to any one power.
| -
lishment Of board of reference, which
shall be appointed by special confer
ence to meet in China within three
months after the ratification of. ths
proposal; the board to be composed oi
representatives Of all the powers, in
cluding China, and to be charged with
the duty Of passing upon any question:
arising under the agreement.
The adopted proposal will in no wa,