WASHINGTON CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 January 1922, Page 8

WASHINGTON CONFERENCE.

THE CHINESE CUSTOMS. ADJUSTING THE PROBLEMS. GOOD PROGRESS MADE. By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright. Received Jan. 6, 5.5 p.m. Washington, Jan. 5. Official: At a meeting of the committee on Pacific and Far Eastern affairs Senator Underwood (America) presented a report of the sub-committee on Chinese customs, recommending a meeting of the revision committee at Shanghai forthwith to revise the present tariff basis of five per cent, effecive within four months, the new duties coming into force two months after publication, without awaiting ratification. This provides an additional seventeen million dollars. Immediate steps will be taken for holding a special conference to provide for the imposition of a surtax of two and one half per cent, ad valorem, securing an additional twenty-seven mil lion dollars, and a special surtax on luxuries not to exceed five per cent., providing two million dollars, the total additional revenue being forty-six million dollars.

The Conference will also prepare the wav for the abolition of the likin, bringing into effect the surtax Agreed upon between Japan and the United States for the years 1922 and 23. With the completion of the work of the special conference, the application oT all surtaxes and the abolition of the likin the additional revenue should amount to 156 million dollars. The present customs revenue is sixty-four million dollars, increasing to 110 million dol’ars immediately arrangements are completed for an effective five per cent, apd the imposition of two and a half and live per cent, surtaxes. The recommendation provides also for periodical revisions, the recognition of the principle of uniform, ity of all frontiers and an agreement to over-ride all provisions' in the treaty between China and the Powers. China submitted proposals for consideration agreeing not to disturb the present administration of Chinese customs. The report finally recommended the adoption of a friendly recommendation to China that immediate effective steps be taken to reduce the present military forces. Dr. Wellington Koo (China) has issued a statement regretting that the committee had not bestowed tariff arrangements meant a serious loss, owing to the lowness of the rates compared with other countries. Dr. Koo maintained that the restoration of tariff autonomy was necessary before China can expand and develop a stable Government. He declared that the interests of the treaty powers had been placed before the legitimate interests or China. In view of the inherent difficulty and injustice of the present regime, and of the wholesome and desirable effect the restoration of tariff autonomy would have, the Chinese delegation felt bound to declare that they had no desire, in assenting to the agreement, to relinquish their claim; on the contrary they intend to bring the question up upon* all appropriate occasions. The report was then unanimously adopted and referred to the drafting committee for inclusion in the treaty.

CHINA AND JAPAN

AGREEMENT IN SIGHT. Washington, Jan. 5. There are some indications to-day that China is preparing to meet Japan's suggestion as to Shantung, with regard to a modified form of Japanese supervision over the railway line. British and American circles are still confident of a settlement. Chinese quarters are somewhat optimistic that their wishes are likely to be realised. Some frankly say they feel the hands of the Americans are tied, so far as supporting their claims is . concerned, because they wish the success of the Conference and are not desirous of creating any embarrassing situation by antagonising Japan. They admit that China has already secured many benefits from the Confer once, but insist that many vexatious problems remain.

VIEWS OF JAPANESE CABINET

Tokio, Jan. 5. The Cabinet has decided that Japan will maintain tj/e position that disagreement over the submarine tonnage at in no way affects the decisions regarding capital ship tonnage. It is also announced that Cabinet has decided against Japan yielding any additional ground in the Shantung controversy with China. Any attempt to resume negotiations with China will be made af Peking, not at Washington.

ENTANGLING ALLIANCES.

Washington, Jan. 5. The correspondent of the Australian Press. Association says that the tenderness of certain schools of American politics on the subject of entangling alliances is exemplified again to-day in comment on the perfectly obvious provision in the naval Treaty dealing with the situation arising if* a signatory Power become involved in war with a non-sig-natory Power. Coromentorios profess to see therein another subtle attempt on the part of European statesmen to drag the United States into Old World .politics. All sorts of dismal prognostications arc made as to the result. It is possible all that the provision wiP do will be to allow the Power attacked to retire from the treaty and take such measures as may be necessary for defence.