Washington Conference.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 December 1921, Page 2

Washington Conference.

VISTIIU.IAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. OUTSIDE CONTROL RESENTED. I 1 Washington, Nov. 29. It is officially announced that the I following resolutions regarding extra , territoriality in relation to China have ■ been adopted at to-day’s Ear Eastern . session. j That the eight interested Powers sitting in Conference shall establish a commission of one member each to I enquire into the present practice as to the extra-territoriality laws, the judicial system, and the administration „f China, with a view to reporting the : findings and facts thereof, and vecomfending such means as they may find 1 suitable to impyovd existing oon- . ditions, and Chinese justice, and to assist the efforts of China to effect such legislative and judicial, reforms as shall warrant the sevral powers m relinquishing, progressively or other- • wise ,their respective rights of territoriality.

2. This commission is to be instructed to submit its report and recommendations within a yeai after its first

meeting. 3. Each of the Rowers named shall he free to accept or reject all, or any jiortion, of the recommendations of the commission, but not to make the acceptance of such recommendations directly dependent on China’s granting any official concession, favour, benefit immunity, political or economic. 4. Tlie provision is also made for the acceptance of the findings of the Commission by non-signatorv (lowers.

China expresses its satisfaction with the above resolutions, and declares her intention to appoint a representative t 0 the commission, with the right to sit as a member, it being understood that China shall have the right to accept or reject all or any of the recommendations oil jtlio commission. China is prepared to co-operate in every way with the Commission, and to afford it every facility . China’s delegate made a statement protesting against the maintenance on Chinese territory, without Chinese consent. and against her protests, of foreign troops, railway guards, police boxes. elctriqnl wires, and "fireless communication installations. She asks for a declaration from the Conference powers that none shall maintain any of the foregoing unless such power can prove conclusively it has a right to do so under an accepted basis of interna tional law and that any such now existing upon the soil of China shall Ik* immediately withdrawn.

China also has submitted data showing the position and number of fo reign troops, especially the Japanese troops in China and Manchuria, the jkisition of wireless stations, etc. AMERICAN ATTITUDE (K roni the Special Representative of the Australian Press Association.) 'Received This Day at 8 a.m.) AVASHINGTON, November 29. Ttie American attitude towards interference with their suggested ratio has further stiffened. It is stated authoritatively to-night that any rejection of the ratio projiosed " ill l*e viewed with much concern, as indicating there is no genuine desire for an understanding. Though Japan asked for a postponement of to-day's expert conference, everything points towards ilieir acceptance of United States ratio formulae, especially the British fully support American view in this matter. It would not he surprissng if the Jap-

anese acceptance were announced at the plenary session early next week.

It is understood the Far Eastern committee to-day gave an informal acquiescence to the principle of tlie withdrawal of foreign troops from China.