The New York herald., 1922-01-08
j. s. NOT TO MEDIATE
IN SHANTUNG issue
Hughes Tells Chinese Dele
gates They Should Settle
1t With japanese.
CONFER FOR AN HOUR
BalfOur Gives Similar Ad-
vice and Urges an
Agreement.
NIPPON'S EVOYS SILENT
Reports in Washington Indi-
cate Toxic and Pekin May
Reach Understanding.
NIPPON'S EvOYS SILENT

Special Dispatch to THE New YORK HzaALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington. d. O.. J.n. :.
Secretary Of State Hughes and Ar
thur j. Balfour made informal efforts
to-day to bring together the Chinese
and Japanese on the Shantung prob
lem.
Suggestion by the Chinese that the
American and British representatives
renew their good offices were unavail-
ing to the extent that neither Secre-
tary Hughes nor Mr.. Balfour would
act formally. The Japanese remained
quiet, permitting the responsibility for
the initiative to rest with the Chinese.
The Chinese delegates saw Secre-
tary Hughes at 4 o'clock and consulted
with Mr.. Balfour at o'clock. Both
Secretary Hughes and Mr.. Balfour
made it plain that in their opinion the
differences between the Japanese and
Chinese were so slight that they ought
to be brought together.
intimated that the conversation between
Secretary Hughes and the Chinese dele
gates was wholly informal and that
there was no thought of mediation.
Neither was it planned to make any sug-
gestions to either party which were not
acceptable to both sides. Inasmuch as
the Japanese had remained quiet. 1t is
clear the only suggestion Secretary
Hughes was in position to make was to
urge upon the Chinese delegates the i'm
portance of reaching a settlement. The
same advice was extended by Mr. Bal
four.
Action Expected Tomorrow.
The Chinese delegates sought to have
both Mr.. Balfour and Secretary Hughes
make a concrete suggestion as to what
should be done. Secretary Hughes re-
Trained from doing this on the ground
that he could not advise anything specific
in an ex parte hearing which was wholly
informal.
The Chinese insisted they were not in
position to make proposal or COM
promise themselves until they knew what
Secretary Hughes and Mr.. Balfour had
to offer. With this alignment the situa-
ton went over until Monday. when It is
expected more definite conclusions will
be reached.
The Chinese effort for mediation from
Secretary Hughes. 1t is understood, does
not apply to Mr.. Balfour because Mr.
Balfour's Government signed and ratified
the Versailles treaty. which gave Shan
tung to the Japanese, while the United
States did not ratify the treaty.
The View entertained by Mr.. Balfour
and Secretary Hughes-that the differ
ence between the Japanese and Chinese
final proposals over Shantung is slight
Is not shared by the Chinese delegates.
They point out that while the differ
ence In time may not be great, the
Japanese proposal would give to them
control of the Shantung Railroad. since
1t carries the offer of loan and the
appointment of Japanese traffic man.
ager. The Chinese proposal. on the
contrary. removes control from the
Japanese and places Il in the hands OF
the Chinese.
The Chinese delegates evidently are
worried over the possibility that the
japanese have reached n practical set
tlement directly with the Pekin Gov
ernment which may leave them no
alternative but to accept what has been
done. No official advices have been
received by the American Government
to the effect that settlement has been
reached at Pekin. 1t Is not denied.
however, that japan has been carrying
on conversations at Pekin.
Want Conference to Act.
The Chinese have been frankly dIsap-
pointed In not having Secretary Hughes
and Mr.. Balfour take a more direct
band In the conversations. They would
have preferred TO see the conversations
come more clearly within the shadow
of the International conference.
The fact that China has not beer able
to place her house in order, and recog-
milton of what Western minds conceive
so be n demoralizing system OF inde-
;.endent military government In the va
rious Chinese provinces, have inter-
fered with efforts to aid the Chinese.
There have been many evidences dur
ing recent days that the Powers In con-
ference recognize danger in conceal
ing the shortcomings Of China, express
sions of this feeling having been fur
rished in the Underwood report on the
Chinese tariff. In conversations which
have taken place between the delegates
themselves and tho utterances OF spokes-
men OF various delegations to the press.
The British representatives have been
most outspoken next to Senator Under
wood IN pointing out China's shortcom-
i,Igs.
IL IS said In most important quarters
that II would be most disadvantageous
to China II the Chinese delegates should
bolt the conference and refuse 90 sign
the proposed treaty respecting the Far
East, that the Powers have exhibited
patience and generosity in regard to
China that has not been parallelled In
International relations and that such
course by China would now only on-
phasize her true condition.
While China might no, Iose the worlds
sympathy. the Chinese officials might
lose the worlds suffcrancc and the world
might lose it's patience with them. One
OF the prime ends that all tho Powers
desire is the averting OF international in
tervcntion IN China.
The Washington conference, Il Is de-
clared on the highest authority. has
sought way TO allow China time IL she
Is able 70 prt ber house In order. but
the Chinese seem TO wish 20 be left free
to carry on their disorders and TO disre-
gard their international obligations.
which has been their historic attitude.
although morc emphasized now than for
merly. II Is pointed out that the Chi
nese Government has defaulted not only
on Japanese loans but on American
loans as well.