THE FAR EAST.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 November 1921, Page 5

THE FAR EAST.

PROBLEMS OF CHINA. CONTROVERSY LIKELY. THE ATTITUDE OF JAPAN. (From the Special Representative of the Australian Press Association.) Received Nov. 25, 5.5 p.m. Washington, Nov. 24. It is regarded as probable that the Powers will insist on the maintenance of the consortium dealing with China's fiscal affairs. The Italian delegation yesterday ranged themselves with the other nations desiring participation, . taking the view that the addition of Italy might remove some Chinese objections to the plan. The presumption is that the provisions of the consortium will be adopted without important moi difications. • There is every sign that the controversial stage of the deliberations will soon be reached. Already the Chines* and Japanese are at variance in state* ' ments regarding what will be brought up. The Chinese say past events and acts will naturally’ be discu'ssed. M. i Hanihara. who is taking M. Shidehara’s place in the Japanese delegation, says accomplished facts, such as Japan’s ceded rights in Manchuria, cannot be taken up without the consent of all the delegations, the implication being that there are some points Japan will not agree to discuss. THE POSITION OF CHINA, DELEGATES NOT PLEASED. QUESTION OF CREDENTIALS. Washington, Nov. 24. The conference will not entirely unshackle China from foreign influence. The Chinese are not entirely pleased with some of the principles enunciated in the Root resolutions, but it is evident the Chinese Republican Government, no matter what protestations it may make, will be unable to force its will or commit a large part of inland China. For example, while the delegation declares it favors the abolition of likin (inland transit duty), this is unlikely to be effected in face of the opposition of the maritime provinces, for whom it means a big source of revenue, on the other hand several Powers consider that likin will be abolished if the tariff is raised. A statement has been made definitely from several sources that the French delegation at yesterday’s meeting on the Far Eastern committee questioned the credentials of the Chinese delegation to speak with authority for the whole of China. The Chinese replied that they represented the only Government recognised by the Powers, but the incident reveals one of the main complexities of the Chinese problem. The French attitude is explainable because the South China Government, with borders marching with those of Indo-China, is more closely associated with the interest of France. At the same time it grows increasingly plain that the Chinese delegation, while vigorously’ presenting its case, cannot pledge the whole country to accept''the results. Consequently, after Senator Underwood’s committee clears up the mysteries of Chinese finance possibly the next step will be to determine the scope and stability of the Peking Government.