Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-10

Now that practlcaIiy all OF GnHa has
passed under the control of the kuo-
mintang, the Southern confedeTacy. the
government Is discussing Just what
lolicies "a adopt in the unification and.
administration of the vast country. The
first step announced as desirable is
complete reputation of the unequal
treaties" with foreign nations.
In this declaration the United States
acuuiesced even before 1t was of1clally
declared. Secretary of State kellogg
issued a statement, January q. 1927,
declaring 1t to be the policy of the
United States to welcome revision OF
the extraterritorial conventions, by
which revision we would release extra
territorial rights as soon as China Is
prepared to provide protection by law
and through her courts to American cit
liens, their rights and property"
On the subject of Chinese tariff
autonomy, the delegates of the United
States to the Chinese Tariff Confer
ence. October, 1925, we're instructed to
negotiate a new treaty. granting free
dom to China to regulate her own laws
fixing tariffs. with the adjustment of
"likin"-the internal. or interstate. pro-
yincial customs at every boundary. This
left the gate open for tariff freedom.
we retaining Only the right OF the most
favored nation"
In that conference, the committee on
provincial measures, Chinese delegates
participating. unanimously adopted the
following resolution:
THE contracting powers recognize
Chinas ght to enjoy tariff autonomy;
agree To remove tariff restrictions which
are contained In existing treaties be-
tween themselves respectively and
China. and consent to the going into
effect CT the Chinese tariff law, on jan
uary /, is2o'
Earlier In that conference the Ameri-
can delegates had proposed surtax OF
2is per cent on necessities and 8 per
cent ON luxurieS. provided likin be abol-
ished on foreign imports, to apply until
full autonomy should go into effect in
1929 But all of this conference was
held with a Chinese government which,
through the exigencies of war, has since
been overthrown, so that they have be-
come ineffective. until a new conference
with the triumphant government can be
held. Nevertheless. the United States
has gone on record as being very willing
to negotiate full autonomy to the Chi
nese nation,
Secretary Kellogg said In his 1927
announcements
THE Government of the United
States was ready then, and is ready
now. to continue the negotiations on
the entire subject of the tariff and
extraordinarily, or TO take up nego-
tiations ON behalf of the United States
alone, The only question Is with whom
it shall negotiate. However, writ
ten treaties wshich have been ratified by
the Senate cannot be abrogated, and
must be superseded by new treaties
with somebody representing China and
subsequently ratified by the Senate of
the United States.
THE Government Of the United
States has watched with sympathetic
interest the nationalistic awakening of
China and welcomes every advance
made by the Chinese people toward
reorganizating their system OF govern
ment'
Secretary Kellogg further explained
Americas neutrality as between the fac
tons fighting in China ever since the
overthrow OF the Manchu empire. IN
1919 but that we recognized the need
OF protecting the lives and rights OF
american citizens during the disturbed
state of China, which accounted for the
presence In Chinese waters Of Ameri- |
can naval forces,
This Government" declared the |
Secretary of State. wishes to deal with |
China In most liberal spirit, II holds |
no concessions In China. and has never |
manifested any imperialistic attitude
toward that country. 1t desires. how |
ever, that its citizens be given equal |
opportunity with the citizens OF other |
powers who reside In China, and to |
pursue their legitimate occupations |
without special privileges, monopolies |
or spheres Of interest or influence"
~
Certain critics Of the American /
Government discount our disinterested- |
ness In proposing the addition af the |
al and per cent To the Federal GUS !,
toms. on condition that the llkln would |
he abolished so far AS foreign goods I
we're concerned. for the ilkin itself