POWERS IN CHINA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17956, 5 December 1921, Page 7

POWERS IN CHINA.

QUESTION OF LEASED AREAS AN OFFER BY BRITAIN. SURRENDER OF WEIHAIWEI. SECURITY OF HONGKONG. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received 11.30 p-m.) A and N.Z. WASHINGTON, Deo. 8. An official communique issued by the secretariat of the Washington Conference states that the Far Eastern Committee discussed to-day the question of leased areas in China, \ Dr. Wellington Koo, the Chinese delegate, stated that the existence of the leased territories was due originally to tho aggression of Germany, who constrained the Chinese Government to grant the lease of Kiao Chao Bay. This waa followed by the Russian demand for the lease of the Liao Tung Peninsula and the right to build a railway which was the cause of the Russo-Japanese War. Following these leases Franco obtained the lease of Kwang Chow and Britain Kowloon and Wei-Hai-Wei. Britain and France based their claims on the necessity of preserving the balance of power in the Far East. Dr. Koo j pointed out that the leases were all for I a fixed period and were not transferable I without China's consent. China's Sovereignty was reserved in all cases. Since the granting of the leases condij tions in the Far East had entirely altered. ' Germany was eliminated; Russia had disappeared; and the Manchu misrule bad ended. Tlio Chinese delegation believed I that tho time had come for the Powers i to relinquish control of the leased terriI tories. The existence of such greatly preI judiced China's territorial and adminis- ! trative integrity, hampered her work of national defence and involved China in the complications of other Powers, for instance, the Russo-Japanese and European wars. The Chinese asked for the annulment or early termination of the leases and their demilitarisation pending tho same, but they were prepared to respect and safeguard tho legitimately vested interests of 'the different Powers within the territories. M. Viviani (France) declared that France was ready to join in a collective restitution of the leased territories, it being understood that the principle having been once admitted and all private rights safeguarded, conditions and time limits be determined by agreement between the Chinese Government _and each of the Governments concerned. Mr. Hanihara pointed out that Japan obtained her leased territories not directly, but as successor of other Powers. Regarding ELiao Chao, Japan had declared on several occasions that she would restore the territory to China. Conversations were now proceeding, and would result, it was hoped, in a happy solution of the problem. Therefore, the lease of Kiao Chao'was not/ calling' for separate treatment. The Japanese delegates desire to make it clear that Japan had no intention at present to relinquish her important rights in the Kwantung province, Port Arthur, and Dairen, which she had acquired lawfully and at considerable sacrifice. The territory formed part of the Manchuria region, where, by reason of its close propinquity, Japan had vital interests relating to her economic life and national safety. Mr Hanihara. pointed out that the British, United States, and French Governments recognised this at the time of the formation of the international consortium. Mr. Balfour emphasised that the Kowloon and Wei-Hai-Wei leases were *on entirely different bases. Kowloon was obtained for no other reason ex- ' cept to give security to the port of Hongkong, one of the world's greatest shipping centres, which, without Kowloon, would be at the mercy of any enemy possessing modern artillery. In the safeguarding of Hongkong not merely Britain but the whole world was concerned. Britain must therefore deal with the lease of Kowloon in a different spirit' from the other leased territories. Britain was ready to return Wei-Hai-Wei as part of a general arrangement intended to confirm the sovereignty of China and to give effect to the principle ■oi the open door. Its surrender could only be .undertaken as part of such a general arrangement. The British Government's policy was to make use of the surrender of Wei-Hai-Wei' to assist in securing a settlement of the question oi Shantung. , After hearing the delegates, Dr. Koo sincerely thanked them, and asked for another opportunity for discussion. The' Far Eastern Committee yesterday considered the matter of foreign troops in China. After a general discussion the sub-. ; ject was referred to the drafting sub-corn-" mittee with instructions to bring its recommendations before the committee. SHANTUNG CONVERSATIONS. FACTS TO BE THE BASIS. FORMER, TREATIES IGNORED Australian and N.Z. Csble Association. (Reed. 12.5 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Dec. 2. It was officially announced to-day that the Chino-Japanese conversations regarding Shantung were resumed this afternoon. It was agreed to take actual facts and tot the academic point of view as the basis of discussion, which will be for the sole purpose of promoting a mutual understanding and good neighbourliness without giving ground to the least inference that the discussion will be based on the treaty arrangements which have been in dispute. An interchange of views on the Question of the Kiao Chao-Tsinan Railway took place. The discussion will be continued at another meeting. It is understood that Japan offered as a basis of discussion regarding the Shantung Railway her proposal made in September last that the line be operated under joini Chino-.Tapaneso control. It is uno'hcially stated that the Japanese recognise that some measure of tariff reform in China -is necessary, but they have no* yet found it possible to suggest a considered scheme in view of the gniat fiffiount of Japan's trade with China.