Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-01-17
OPENS DOOR FOR
CHINA SUBJECT
OF DISCUSSION
Famous 21 Demands How
ever Await Final Ac-
ton of Shantung
CUSTOMS SETTLED
Continued Discussion of Fortifications
Still Delays Final Agreement on
the Naval Treaty

Washington, Jan. 1.-THE Con-
ference hovered today on the edge
of several important decisions, but
made none. Business will be re-
sumed tomorrow, with final action
one way or the other Just around on
naval matters and on Shantung, and
with the dynamite Of other phases of
Far Eastern questions plainly in
sight. 1t seems to be matter of
only few days and maybe d few
hours, before very important things
happen.
Sitting as the Far Eastern Com
mttee, which Secretary Hughes con
vened this afternoon, the Conference
got rather close to one of the Far
Eastern subjects that may furnish
an explosion, when the q demands
were up for a few moments. That
is one of the questions as to which
the Chinese are most intense,' the
Japanese most stubborn and most Of
the other delegates most nervous.
Everyone on the outside has been
awaiting the debate with\ keen antlc-
ipation.
But Mr.. Hughes put the question
aside temporarily. He observed that
the 81 demands bear in part on
Shantung, and that it would be to
postpone consideration of them until
the Shantung negotiations have been
concluded. That was agreed to. ana
the committee, which previously had
formally accepted resolution cnf
bodying the Underwood report on
Chinese customs, turned to the ques-
tion of the open door.
The cutoms resolution was report
ed from the Committee on Draft,
headed by Mr.. Root. to which the
Underwood report had been referred
to be put in form for adoption no
change was made in the recommcn-
dations from the Underwood sub
committee. 80.
The Chinese are to be given, within
six months. an effective > per cent.
customs rate instead of the prcScn'
nominal ) per cent. which actually
gives 3.5 per cent, the increase yield
ing about sS,5O0,00O a special con-
ference is to meet in about three
months in China to consider bringing
into existence several treaties ap-
proved about 20 years ago. provided
the "Likin'-that is, the Chinese in
ternal tax on imported goods-lS ahol
ished. This conference also is to con-
slider raising the regular tariff rate
to 7.5 per cent, and permitting emma
to impose an additional tariff OF
per cent on luxuries. All OF these
matters are subject to so many con
ditionS that it is not certain now
what value they will be to China.
After disposing of the customs res,
olution and agreeing to Mr.. Hughes
suggestion that the 81 demands he
nut aside until a conclusion IS reach
ed in the Shantung dealings. the
Far Eastern Committee too un the
question of the open door in China,
but reached no decision. Adjourn
ment was taken after Mr.. Hughes
outlined the American position. and
Mr.. Balfour and Sir Auckland Gcddes
expressed the views of the British
] Tomorrow the other delegations will
be heard.
, No official statement of what had
been said was made after the close
of the meeting, but it is assumed
that Mr.. Hughes stated again, with
out qualifications, the historic posi-
tion of the Government on the open
door Mr.. Hughes himself stated ir
comparatively recent communica,
! tion to the Chinese that the United
States has never done anything tc
establish special rights that would in
| terfere with the rights of the people
! of other nations.