Washington Conference.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 December 1921, Page 3

Washington Conference.

(From the Special Representative of the Australian Press Association.) CONFERENCK HAPPENI NOS. (Received This Day at 0.5 a.m.) WASHINGTON, cc. la A committee on the Pacific and I'ni East matters adopted a resolution on the Chinese post offices \vhereunder the four Powers having foreign postal agencies, agree to their abandonment, subject firstly to an efficient Chinese postal service being maintained, and the assurance given that the Chinese Government do not contemplate changes in the present postal administration as far as the status of the foreign codirector general is concerned; secondly that the arrangement shall come into force not later than January Ist, 1923, pending a complete withdrawal. The Powers also undertake to afford China full facilities for customs examination of mails except ordinary letters, plainly appearing to contain only written matter. Mr Lodge read a letter from Ham Hara in which Japan announces no objection to the initiation of the arrangement, but expresses a desire that as the change cannot fail to affect Japanese more than any other nation, a su^' 11 c number of experienced postal officers should be engaged by China in the interest of efficiency of the Chinese postal administration. . Sze issued a statement that China had always handled efficiently all foreign mail'. He appreciated the lad that by the withdrawal of foreign post offices‘the amount would he much increased and undertakes to handle the same efficiently, making such addition to the personnel and equipment as is required. He will transmit to Eutope over the Siberian route when again opened, and hold herself responsible for railway transportation of mails uninterruptedly. The committee considered radio stations. which were postponed. 1 m.\ want also a statement that the division of China into spheres of influence is most unfortunate, the Po"cis t.i vin„ the view that these territories are reserved for them exclusively, wuoout regard to China’s economic needs Hio svstem is contrary to the policy of equal opportunity and threatens the political integrity of China. The e egation asks the Powers to disavow all claims to spheres of interest am.l influence or «nv special interest within the territory of China. The matter was ad-|

Mr Hughes announced though outside the proceedings of the Conference, Unimportant matter of Yap ami the mandated islands north of the equator ha. been completely settled. An agreement had been reached and a convention would he signed by the t"o .nuts shortly. , Mr Hughes then referred to .he departure of M. Vivian! who returned to France this week, and expressed appreciation of bis collaboration.

NEARING THE END. (Received This Day at 9.40 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Dec. 13 There is every indication now that all the major points of the Conference will be completed before Christinas. They are seven in number of which two. tinquadruple alliance and Yap convention, are already out ol the «a\. ic main to he finally dealt with the treaty between Japan and China covering Shantung dispute and twenty-one - 'uinds. There is every hope tins is approaching a satisfactory settlement ,u.d going out of the present conversations. Then there is the live lowers exclusively. The naval treaty is m>« well on the way to adjustment. A I Hither understanding about an advanced naval base in the Pacific may take the form of a three Power Treaty between Britain and United States and Japan. Lastly there is an eight Power Treaty in respect of the policy of integrity ot China, based on the Root resolutions, and on Powers declaration by ( hum never to make a treaty alienating teiritorv or in conflict with the Root resolutions. These last two may be combined into a nine Power treaty. JAPANESE NEWS. (Received This Day at 9.40 a.m ) TOKIO, December id. Premier Takahashi, interviewed, declared the quadruple alliance will prove efficient in preventing f ' ltl,rt ‘ Japanese iron works and buildei*. ol naval vessels have discharged half then employees in anticipation of a «age of warship construction. TaUhash has received a death threat through the mails, leading to the arrest of a twenty year old Japanese named Rotate w ho R aliened to .have stated that if the Premier took action similar to Hara, his fate would bo the same. Tt » rumoured a plot exists against the lives of otl.e r Cabinet Ministers resulting in a large guard about important officials a"special body guard constantly watches Takahashi and all persons approaching him are under keen surveillance. four power treaty sicned. Received This Day at 11.30 a.m A WASHINGTON, Dec 13. The Quadruple Treaty has been sign-