The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-01-16
CONFERENCE ISSUES
NEARING SOLUTION
Confidence That Shantung Problem
Will Be Settled This Week.
essy The Associated Press)


progress hoped for by conference lead
ers during the next two or three days,
the end of the coming week may see
all OF the issues raised in the Wash
ington negotiations well On the way
toward solution.
Confidence that Shantung problem
is nearing a settlement was apparent
in most quarters tonight, the delegates
feeling that with the other far eastern
questions in allegiance the separate ex-
changes between the Chinese and
Japanese over the former German
Ieasehold would be pressed forward
rapidly. Neither of the two groups di-
rectly interested was prepared to say
that an agreement was in sight, but
they evidenced a hope that fresh in
structions from Toxic and Peking, ex-
pected hourly, might help materially
TO clear up the situation.
AS soon as Shantung is out of the
way, and persops sooner, the confer
ence far eastern committee will re-
sumo it's consideration of other prob
lens of the orient, with all the dele
gates in a position to present their
views quickly so that the negotiations
here win not be excessively prolonged.
On most of remaining issues the dele
gates have already informed them
selves thoroughly regarding the clews
of other groups and the prospect for
an agreement.
The naval negotiations also appear
to be as good as completed, the treaty
text agreed to by the big five" being
regarded as virtually certain to meet
with approval, successfully, Of the full
naval committee and of the conference
itself, sitting in plenary session. Both
sOf these meetings probably win be
held during the coming week, leaders
planning to set the conference machin-
cry in motion for final approval of the
treaty as soon as Toxic sends formal
approval Of the article dealing with
Pacific Notifications.
Settlement of the Shantung question
still rests largely in the hands of Ar
thur j. Balfour and Secretary Hughes
in the opinion of Chinese spokesman.
Both the Chinese and Japanese dele
cations tonight were waiting instruc-
lions from their governments as to the
attitude they must take on the Hughes
Balfour compromise suggestions, de-
signed to afford a basis for agreement
on both of the phases Of the problem
which up to now have seemed insolu-
bic. These phases touch upon the
method of payment for the Tsingtao-
Tsinanfu railroad and the nationality
of the men who will hog the positions
Of traffic manager and chief account
ant for the railroad after it's transfer.
Whether the japanese and Chinese
delegates can get together this week was
said to be dependent on the nature of
the instructions to their respective dele
cations from the Picking and Toxic gov
ernments. While the Chinese delegation
has been in almost daily communica-
tion with PelSing during the last few
days, cables from the Chinese govern
ment have been in the nature of in
quries concerning possible obscure fea-
lures OF the proposals.
The Chinese government, however, 1t
Is understood. has notified it's delegation
OF the difficulty of compromising on
either question
The Balfour- Hughes compromise sug-
gestions are said TO be based on various
combinations of these two questions i'll
a form that might permit either the
Japanese on Chinese to give in on one
and retain the other. or might allow
China, by sacrificing the chief account
ancy position, TO obtain a concession for
payment in cash or installments for the
road, at the same time assuring Chinese
control over the road through a Chinese
traffic manager.
At the Chinese delegation headquar-
tiers there was said to be hope without
optimism that the Shantung question
win be settled through the Japanese Civ
ing in on the railway phase of the dis
pute. In no other way, the Chinese say,
can a settlement satisfactory to the Chi
nese people be reached. There is no in
clination, it was said by the Chinese to
accept a compromise concerning the
question of a loan, and China could not
agree to any settlement which would not
assure China undivided physical control
of the railway The chinese delegation.
il was asserted. would stand pat" on
the question OF management and would
insist on a Chinese traffic chief and ac-
countant.
The Chinese declare they are not in
the position to recede on the question Of
principle involved. and that there is
nothing for them to do but wait in the
hope that Mr.. Baltour and Secretary
Hughes will be able TO affect a settlement
through the Japanese. Both Mr.. Hughes
and Mr.. Balfour. one Chinese official
said tonight. understand the difficulties
the Chinese face in the existing situation
mt home, with the Chinese people on the
verge OF domestic turmoil over the Shan
tung question.
In the meantime. the Chinese and Jap
anese delegations expect to continue to-
morrow their efforts 70 clean the slate
Of the collateral questions involved in
complete settlement. The coal mines adj
jacent to the railroad, and more or less
tied up with that question, and the ore
fields are the first on the program for
tomorrow's meeting, and then the only
remaining questions will be those relat-
ingto certain cables and the salt fields,
MEXICANS IN CUBA
wwyWu,TN