Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-01-19
REFUSES TO REOPEN
EXISTING CONCESSIONS
Far East Committee Accepts
Other Features of Open
Door, However.
EOHESAw ENDLESS INQUIRY
Arns Conference Body Sidctrnrks
Part of Hughes Plan for Adjust
mcnt of Chinese business Problems
but Future Monopoiis Prevented
IBy .Associatcd prcss.l

I BY Associated Prcss.l
WASHINGTON. Jan. lS.-Thc
American Open Door program was
accepted in part today by the Far
Eastern Committee of the arms con-
ference. but approval was given only
after elimination OF the provision
which would have specifically caused
m inquiry into existing concessions
in China.
The French. renewing their OBJ
lection To reopenlug the whole field
of concessions granted in the past.
we're seconded by tho Japanese. and
the proposal final was thrown out
entirely at the suggestion of the
British. The Chinese reserved tn.
right to call il up aryin later. but
the general impression among the
been permanently sidetrarkcd so far
as the WASHINGTON conference Is con
curucd
Proved Center OF Debate.
Viewed by many delegates as the
most sweeping provision Of the
American plan. the existing conces-
sions article was the center OF de-
bate in the committee from the mo-
ment OF Its presentation yesterday
10y Secretary Hughes until II finally
was stricken out today. various dele
gates opposing I, on the ground that
it might lead To an almost endless
inquiry into the validity OF the
maze OF economic arrangements now
In force throughout China. For the
american delegation, however, II
was said tonight that the eliminated
article was not considered OF vi;El
Importance. since remaining pro-
Il
animation of existing concessions
where both parties agreed - H.
itaIts Future MonopoIics.
AS adopted. the open Door reso-
luton contains a mutual pledge no,
to seek spheres OF int,uence or
monopolics in china in the future.
and authorizes creation OF AN inter
national board of reference with
power to investigate and report on
amy case which seems To Involve
violation OF the principle of equal
economic ami commercial oppor-
tunity.
Turning Ia the problem OF railway
control in China. the committee laid
the groundwork for tomorrow's dis
cuss;ou by hearing two resolutions
proposed for promoting equitable de-
vclopmcnt of Chinese rail facilities.
The first. introduced by Sir Auckland
Geddcs, OF the British delegation.
would pledge the powers against dis
crsminatory practices on roads under
their control. The other. presented
by Secretary Hughes. would express
a hope that the transportation lines
In China might he welded eventually
into Il unified system under Chinese
control.
China NcrInims Mine Intcrests.
The separate negotiations between
the Japanese and Chinese over the
general Shantung problem were adj
/ vanced one more step today by an
agreement for return to China OF the
coal and iron mines In Kiaochow
! leased territory on the pivotal
question OF return OF the Shantuns
Railway. however. there were no FUR
Their developments. both delegations
saying they were still waiting in
structions from their governments
regarding the Hughes Balfour com
/ promise suggestions.
| In the negotiations relating to the
] naval treaty there also was com
! plete lapse OF activity. the section
+ dealing with Pacific fortificationS re
/ manning in an uncertain status. The
J Interested delegations are said to b.
! waiting for further instructions on
/ that point. too. hut there IL apparent
! no disposition to hasten the treaty
| To conclusion as long as important
| Far Eastern questions are still UNI
J settled.
| In Chinese quarters. the subject OF
| existing concessions Is regarded az
! one Of the most important OF the Is
! sues Of the Far East. and Ii is as
! serted that the proposal taken out oi
/ the Open Door resolution today Is
| certain 10 find it's way back into the
| discussions in one form or another
| Some of the Chinese are said to de.
| sire to attempt to bring the elimi-
mated article up again tomorrow, al
| though they admit that there would
! he small chance Of Its considerations
II is suggested that IA better oppor-
tunity may he found when the topi-
or existing commitments" is reache ]
on the conference aGcnda.