Washington Conference.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 December 1921, Page 3

Washington Conference.

CHINA’S ATTITUDE. QUESTION OF LEASED AREAS. (From the Special Representative of the Australian Press Association.)

.WASHINGTON, Doc. 3 Official. —The Ear Eastern Committee discussed to-day a. question of leased areas in China. -Mr Kuo stated Hie existence of leased territorials was due originally to the agression of Germany ' constraining the Chinese Government to grant the lease of Krauchon Bay. This was followed by the Russian demand respecting the lease ot Liautung Peninsular and the right to build railways which was the cause of the RussoJapanese war. Following these leases, France obtained the lease of Kcvangehow Ilav and Britain, Kawloon and Weihaiwei. Britain and France based their claims on the necessity of preserving the balance of power in the Far East. Kuo pointed out the leases \vere all for a fixed period and not transferable, without China’s consent. China’s sovereignty was reserved in all cases. Since the granting of the conditions the Far East had entirely altered. Germany was eliminated, Russia had disappeared and the .Mancha rule had ended. . . the Chinese delegation believed the time had conic for the Powers to relinquish control of the leased territories. The existence of such, greatly prejudiced China’s territorial administrative integrity, hampered the work of national defence, sold, involved China in complications with other lowers. For instance, in the RussoJapanese and European wars Chinese staked for annulment or the early termination of the leases and demilitarisation i lending the huONverc prepared to respect and safeguard the legitimately vested interests of dillercnt powers within the territories. M Viviaiii declared France was ready • to join in a collective restitution of the leased territory, it being understood that the principle lifing once admit cc and all private rights safeguarded Conditions and time limits would be deteimined by agreement with the Chinese Government, and each of the Governments concerned.

Bhideharn pointed out Japan obtained her leased territories not directly, hut as successor to other Powers. Regan jug Kiaiichau, Japan had declared on several occasions she would restore it to China. . As a iesult of conversations which tvere now going ofi, a happy solution of the problem was hoped for. Therefore the lease of Kiaiichau was mn one calling for separate treatment. The Japanese delegates desired to make it clear that jniJ.ni had iio intention at present of relinquishing her important rights in Kwailtmig province. I’ort Arthur am Dairen which were acquired law tuny, at considerable samiliee. The territory forms part of Manchuria region, where hv reason of its close propinquity to Japan she has vital interests relating to her economic life ami .national safety. It is pointed ,I,jt British, American and French Governments recognised this at the time of the tormatiim of the intormuiomi! consortium.

.Mr Balfour emphasised the Kawloon AVeihaiwei leases were on an entirely - different basis. The former was obtained for no other reason except to give security to tlm Port of Hongkong, one of the world’s greatest shipping centres, which without it would he at the men-v of nnv enemy possessing modern artillery. The safeguarding of Hongkong was not merely a Briusli matter, hut one in which the whole world was concerned. We must therefore deal with the lease of Kowloon in ,i different spirit from other lease, territories. Britain was ready to return AVeihaiwei as part of the general arrangement and intended to cmtirm the sovereignty of China and give cfleet to the principle of opan door. A surrender could only he undertaken as part ol such general arrangement. lw '■o\ernment policy was to make use ol the surrender of AVeihaiwei in assisting to s<xure a settlement of the question ot Shantung. After hearing the delegates Ko„ sincerely thanked them and asked for another opportunity for discussion.

AMERICA’S BUDGET. 'Received This Day at 10.15 a.i11.) WASHINGTON, Dee 5. Mr Harding has sent the Budget to Congress, accompanied by a- message expressing the belief that n.ted States should expend over eight hundred million dollars on the Army and Navy during the war ending June UAL " President asked for an appropriation ot eilditv-live million dollars to continue the i‘)l(> naval building programme. This will be scrapped if the other nations adopt Mr Hughes’ plan. NO PEACE TREATY.

LONDON. l)ee >• * The London “Daily News” AVashington correspondent says: “There is no question of any actual Treaty between IBritain. Japan, and the United States, la'cause the United States Senate would almost certainly reject it if it is even proposed. Frame, moreover, is evidently desirous of inclusion in any such treaty AVe cannot exclude her, though the smaller the circle of Powers involved the more specific and binding agreement reached is likely to he. I have now reason to iielieve that an emphatic cable by the first British delegates was responsible for defeating discreditable opposition by certain members of tlie British Cabinet to give up AVeihaiwei.”

FAR EAST AGREEMENT. AV ASHING TON. December -L The Australian Press Association learns that the agreement on the Far Eastern affairs will take the form of a definite treaty between Britain, United States and Japan. It will consist of the following four main provisions:

(T) the guaranteeing of the integrity of China; (2) tlie agreeing to confer nn all unifiers effecting the pence and tranquility of tlm Ear East; (3) an undertaking to protect jointly the islands in the Pacific, should they be attacked by any Power; and (4) the abrogating of tlie “Special Agreement known asi the lAnglo-.Tapanebe Alliance.”

The first provision embodies practienllv the root principles, and covers all general matters, except Shantung. Regarding Shantung, if China and Japan fail to" come to an agreement in the present conversations, a Commission ■will be appointed to report on the whole question at a future date.

SUILM ARINES QUESTION: (From the Special Representative of the Australian Press Association.) fßeeeived This Day at 10.15 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Dec. 5

The Navy Department stands solidly against the abolition of submarines as a naval weapon, hut on the other hand theie is a strong hotly of public opinion In the country totally opposed to the submarine. As Mr Balfour said ill* other day, the British view may not succeed, hut it will he sure to meet with great array of sympathy. M. Viviaiii states France’s offer to the Far East committee to give up Nivatchouwang entailed three conditions, first that all Powers should act unanimously; second, that France be able to arrange terms of restitution with China ; third, that China undertake not to t ide the restored leasehold to another Power.