Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-01-19
u. S. KEEPS RECORD.
ON CHINA STRAIGHT
Stand in Favor of Retroactive
Clause Will React Favora-
bly, to America
MAY FAIL OF AGREEMENT
by CLINTON W. GILBERT
stan Correspondent Evening Public Ledger

Copyright. 1921. bv Public ledger Ccmp panV
Washington, Jan. 1o.-Supporters OF
the Arms Conference and critics of the
Conference disagree on the rejection Of
the retroactive clause of the Hughes
open door resolution.
The American delegation maintains
that the rejection is of little Importance
because the status quo may still be
taken up under the resolutions adopted
and there was nothing compulsory
about the language of the provision re-
jected.
The Chinese say that the effect of the
rejection is TO put the Conference on
record against taking up questions OF
the past and that the plan adopted
means little. The international body
cannot compel the two parties to a dis
pute to come before them, so Japan
may refuse the discussion Of any ques-
tion that arises.
Further they say that. as in all in
ternational bodies the vote insult be
friend of Japan's can always prevent
the new commission from being effec-
tive.
No NOHlpulSlOu EllHeE way
Probably the Americans are right
technically. Retroactive questions may
be brought up under the resolutions
adopted. There is no compulsion. II
the clause withdrawn had been adopted
there still would have been no COM
pulsion.
Morally the American position has
been improved by standing for the
withdrawn clause. There was danger
that the Conference might close with
this country having raised no voice
against many existing aggressions Of
foreign Powers upon China. Silence
in this Conference might be interpreted
IDENTIFY saw this and made the record
straight.
II the Far Eastern side of the Con-
ference should fail. by which I mean
If China should fail to sign. and If the
United States Senate should reject 'thc
pact. the United States would be in
better position before the world for
having stood for machinery that might
reopen existing settlements. If, on the
other hand. there is a successful out
come. this country will be better placed
to press for the opening of such qucS-
tions.
Time Reveals Selfish Aims
If the foreign Powers. especially ia
pan, arc interested in the success of
this Conference, they had better make
their final concessions and close up the
show. lust Ms at Paris time is work
ing against the general acceptance of
results. Every day reveals tho selfish
attitude Of the exploitcrs of China. and
every day reveals the difficulties which
the United States will encounter under
the treaties being written hero in ef-
fecting Justice in the Far East.
In this way the attitude of Japan and
the other Powers against Mr.. Hughes
retroactive clause will be unfortunate.
In the coming Senate debate it will af-
ford an argument to Senator Borah and
the other treaty opponents. They will
a. commission where It will vote virtu-
ally alone. and that the other Powers
have gone on record against undoing
the present injustiCes.
II Is easy 10 CXaggPratc the i'm
portanCc of Yesterdays technical defeat
for the American delegates. The Sem
ators are really paying no attention.
So far as the Capitol is concerned. this
conference might be discussing Chinese
tirccrackcrs instead Of China. The
LEGISLATORS have been busy with the
Ncwbcrrv case. Now they are worry
ing about how 70 extract painlcS>ly
from the taxpayers means "a pay the
soldiers n bonus.
Vote viii BE Close
Thus it is hard to gaugc sentiment
on the hill with regard to the coming
treaties The vote will be close. every
one admits that. with the prospects
favoring adoption. Some little Incl
dent may swing sentiment one way or
the other. That Is the danger of n
protracted conference in which nations
are revealing their obstInNcy over de
tails.
Everybody is waiting for settle
ment OF Shantung The Senate attl-
tude seems to depend upon that. II
Japan yields on Shantung II the
Chinese sign the nine power treaty, ac-
ceptanCe here seems certain.
II the Shantung negotiations fail, If
China refuses to sign. then the rejoc-
ton of the resolution yesterday will
become important. II will have a
cumulative effect in the hands Of Mr..
Borah and the Democrats who will de-
pend upon him for leadership and in