Evening star., 1922-01-16
FAR EAST PROBLEM
AGAIN RECEIVING
PARLEY ATTENTION
Still Awaiting Advices From
Toxic on Fortifications
in Pacific.
SPHERES OF INFLUENCE
NEXT TO BE TAKEN UP
Expect Resolution to Be Submitted
Today Asking China to Reduce
Military Forces.
BY &. GOULD LINCOLN.

BY &. GOULD LINCOLN.
The Washington conference. still
awaiting advices from Toxic regard
the Pacific, turned today from naval
limitation to the far east problems. A
meeting of the far east committee
was called for $3.50 o'clock this after
noon.
There was a possibility. 1T was said
that the request of China for consid.
Grafton of the twenty-o demands oil
China would come up for considera-
ton, though this was not sure.
Spheres of influence Next.
The far east committee will pro-
ceed with the conference agenda, and
it was understood that the question
of spheres of influence in China was
next in order. In fact, 1t Is reported
that a resolution dealing with spheres
of influence has been drafted by the
drafting committee. 1t was suggest
ed that under the question of spheres
of influence the Chinese would press
for consideration Of the twenty-one
demands and the treaty of 1915 with
Japan, based on these demands.
At a meeting of the Japanese and
Chinese delegates this morning on
Shantung, few changes In the
ing to the transfer of the former
German leased territory to China
were made. The meeting then con
sidered the question of the former
German controlled mines along the
Shantung railroad. This matter was
still pending when adjournment was
taken until tomorrow morning.
Railroad Not Discussed.
The Shantung railroad was not
discussed. it was said, at today's
meeting. The Chinese government
has asked for further information re-
garding the proposals for settlement
of the railroad question, and this in
formation is being forwarded to
Peking.
Recently. it was predicted by a
member of the Japanese delegation,
Mr.. Hanihara, that the Chinese re-
quest for discussion Of the twenty
one demands and the treaty OF 1915
based upon them, would come up at
the next meeting of the far east COM
mittee.
At that time Mr.. Hanihara said that
the reply of Japan would be- brief. 1t
has been the Understanding that the
Japanese would insist that the treaty
of 1915 was an affair between Japan
and China and not proper subject
of consideration of the conference.
Today it was said IN Chinese circles
that the Chinese delegation had pre-
pared it's statement to be made In re-
buttaI to the expected reply OF the
Japanese on this subject.
When the question OF the twenty
one demands was raised at meeting
of the far east committee by the
Chinese some time ago, an adjourn
ment followed, with the understand
ing that the Japanese delegation
would make reply later.
Reduction of Troops Asked
At the last meeting Of the far east
committee, which was on January s.,
the question of China's customs duties
acted upon. At that time, in making
its report, the subcommittee on the
Chinese tariff, headed by Senator
Underwood, suggested, for the con-
sideration of the committee, the ad-
visibility Of laying before the con-
expressing the earnest hope of the
conference and embodying friendly
recommendation to China that i'm
mediate and effective steps be taken
by the Chinese government to reduce
the military forces now maintained
costing the Chinese government very
large sums.
The committee adopted the report Of
the subcommittee and instructed the
subcommittee to draft such resolu-
tion. This resolution has now been
prepared and, it is expected. will be
submitted to the full committee Tor
its approval this afternoon.
Drain ON Revenue.
In making its report January the
subcommittee said in studying the
tariff question it had been impressed
with the severe drain on China's pub
lie revenue through the maintenance
of excessive military forces in yari-
Gus parts Of the country. The report
added:
Most of these forces are controlled
by the military chiefs of. the prov
nance appears to be mainly RESPONSE
BILE for China's present unsettled po-
litical conditions. 1t Is felt that large
and prompt reduction Of these forces
China's political unity and economic
development, but hasten her financial
reha habilitation."
Wellington .Koo of the Chinese
delegation, said in this connection:
The hope for effective reduction of
the military forces and expenditure
~ china, as expressed in the resolu-
lion proposed by the subcommittee,
completely comedies with the desire
and determination of the government
and people of China 1 do not hesi-
tate to say that the Chinese delega-
tion has no objection to the chair
mans suggestion, and though natu
rally wish to abstain from voting on
it myself, / nevertheless appreciate
the spirit in which 1t is moved"
Among the matters remaining on
the conference agenda relating to
the far east, which have not yet been
disposed of are Chinese leased terri
tories. spheres of influence, Chinese
railroads and Chinese existing COM
lnitments. and the question Of 81
beria. 1t is understood that the
drafting committee has been at work
on the question of spheres of influence.
and it may present a resolution at
the meeting this afternoon, IL oppor-
tunity Is offered.
japanese Reasonable.
From the standpoint Of a spokes-
man of the British here, the Shan
tung railroad issue is still tied up be-
cause the Chinese are insisting upon
absolute control of the road. The in
formation obtained is that the British
consider that the Japanese have been
reasonable" In their handling of the
Shantung problem. But. it was added,
the Chinese have apparently been ami
mated by a not unjustifiable feeling
that the former German holdings in
China should revert to China, as one
~ ~ IL -