Evening star., 1925-07-14
Coolidge and China.

President Coolidge, with entire pro-
priety. is insisting that the terms of
the Washington Conference treaties
and resolutions relating to China be
adhered to by the nations signatory
thereto. OF what avail further con.
ferences on China and the Chinese
situation if the agreements already
made by the powers especially inter
ested in that country are not OBJ
served?
The treaties have at length been
ratified by the nine powers which at
tended the Washington Conference,
including China. Now that France
has given her approval. the ratifica-
tions will be exchanged in Washing
ton, and the treaties will be in full
force. President Coolidge is reported
to be strongly opposed to modification
Of the terms of these treaties before
they have even become effective. The
Washington Conference pointed the
way to Improvement in China's condi-
ton.
China has been like a huge giant
tied down by chains OF her own forg-
ing and by others which the indus
trious nations of the world have
placed upon her. Since the world be-
gan the stronger nation has preyed
upon the weaker, and China has been
one of the sufferers. Today the feel
ing is growing that greater considera-
ton by the nations for each other
after all is the more advantageous
policy. and efforts are being made to
establish better relations among the
family of nations. China is one Of the
worlds sore spots. The Washington
Conference sought to ameliorate
Chinas condition. The pity is that
the final ratification of the agreements
reached there should have been so
long delayed.
One Of the treaties for which Mr..
Coolidge is now contending relates to
the principles and policies to be fol.
lowed in matters concerning China.
In 1t the contracting powers agree Q)
(2) to provide an opportunity to China
to develop and maintain a stable gov
ernment, 81 TO maintain the open
door" in China, and az to refrain from
taking advantage of conditions in
China to seek special privileges which
would abridge the rights Of other
friendly states.
This is a program to which the
President believes the nations should
adhere. OF great Importance also is
the treaty between the nine powers
relating to the Chinese customs tariff
In effect this treaty proposes to give
China a greater governmental income,
a revenue which may be used to build
up a strong and stable government.
capable Of maintaining order within
the borders of the country and pro
tecting the nationals of other nations
and their property. A conference of
the powers to carry out the plan of
customs tariff revision is provided for,
and 1t is imperative that such a con-
ference now be held. Nothing could
more impress the Chinese than the
scrupulous fulfllment of the promises
made by the powers in her interest at
the Washington Conference.
A great source of irritation to the
Chinese has been the extraterritorial
courts maintained by foreign govern.
ments in China for the trial of cases
for and against the nationals Of those
nations within Chinese territory.
resolution adopted by the Washington
Conference provides for the appoint.
ment of a commission to inquire into
the whole matter with a view to aiding
China to the administration Of justice
within her own borders. In view OF
the disturbed conditions in China and
lack Of a strong central government
some of the nations are opposing any
change in the extraterritoril courts
at present. But there seems no good
reason why the study Of the matter
should not be begun, with the promise
to China that eventually these courts
shall give way to China's own ad
ministration Of justice.
If such an arrangement had been