WORLD’S PEACE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18447, 7 January 1922, Page 7

WORLD’S PEACE

ARHUS CONFERENCE. ' FAR EASTERN AFFAIRS. / PROBLEM OF SHANTUNG. PROSPECTS OP SETTLEMENT BRIGHTER. \ (From the Special Representative or the Australian Press Association.) WASHINGTON, January 5. There are some indications to-day that China is preparing to meet Japan's suggestions regarding Shantung for 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 that they feel that America’s hands are tied so far as supporting their claims are concerned, because they wish the success of the conference, and'are not desirous of creating any embarrassing situation by antagonising Japan. Thev admit that China has already secured, many benefits from the conference, but they insist that many vexatious' problems remain.—A. and N.Z. Cable. WASHINGTON, January 4. (Received Jan. 6, at 8.45 p.m.) f The Chinese and Japanese delegations continued their discussions on the Shantung railway. The meeting until tomorrow.—A. and N.Z. Cable. JAPAN’S DECISION. NO FURTHER CONCESSIONS. TOKLO, January 5. It is also announced that the Japanese 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 at Peking, and not at Washington,—A. and N.Z. Cable.

CHINESE 'CUSTOMS. REVISION OF PRESENT TARIFF. 1 COMMITTEE’S REP OUT ADOPTED. WASHINGTON, January 5. ' (Received Jan. at 5.5 p.m.) Official: At a meeting of the Committee on the Pacific and Far Eastern Affairs Mr Underwood presented a report of the Subcommittee on Chinese Customs, recommending a meeting of the Revision Committee at Shanghai forthwith to revise the present tariff on the basis of 5 per cent._, to be effective within four months, the new duty coming into force two months after publication without awaiting ratification. ' This provided an additional 17.000. dollars (Mexican* money). Immediate steps will bo taken for the holding of the special conference to provide for the imposition of a surtax of 2£ per cent, ad valorem, securing an additional 27.000. dollars, and a special surtax on luxuries not to exceed 5 per cent., pro-' viding 2,000,QP0 dollars, the total additional- revenue being 46,000,000 dollars. The conference .will -also prepare a way for the abolition of the Likin tax, bringing injx> effect the Surtax agreed upon between Japan and the United' States for the years 1922-23. With thework of special confor the application of all surtaxed and the abolition of the Likin tax,/ the additional revenue should amount to 156,000,000 dollars. The present Customs revenue is 64.000. dollars, increasing to 110,000,000 dollars immediately the- arrangements are completed to make effective the 5 per cent., apd the imposition of the 2£ per cent, and 5 per cent, surtaxes. The recommendations provide also for periodical revisions and recognition of the principle of Uniformity on all the frontiers. The agreement is to override all provisions in the treaty between China and the Rowers. China submitted a communication agreeing not to disturb the present administration of the Chinese Customs. The report was finally recommended for adoption, A friendly _ recommendation was made to China immediate and effective steps be taken to reduce her present military forces. Dr Wellington! Koo has issued a statement regretting that the committee had not bestowed tariff autonomy on China. He said the present tariff arrangements meant a serious loss owing to the lowness of the rates compared with other pountries. Dr Koo maintained that the restoration of tariff autonomy was necessary bofore China can expand and develop a stable Government. He declared that i the interests of the treaty Powers had been placed before the legitimate interests of China. In view of the inherent difficulty, the 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 an (agreement to relinquish their claims. On the contrary, thev intend bringing the question up on all appropriate occasions. The report was then unanimously adopted and referred to the Drafting Committee for inclusion in the treaty. WITHDRAWAL OF TROOPS IN CHINA. Resolutions wen) then presented on the subject of the withdrawal pf troops from China. It was resolved that the diplomatic representatives in Peking of, the Powers now in conference at Washington bo instructed by their respective Governments, whenever China shall so request, to associate themselves wito the three representatives of the Chinese Government to conduct collectively a full and impartial inquiry,- and to prepare a full and comprehensive report as to the ability of China to fulfil her promises and to assure the safety of the lives apd property of foreigners in China. All the Powers shall make public that,report and shall be free to accept or reject all or any of the findings in the report, but not so that such acceptance or rejection shall be dependent on "the granting of any concession, political or economic.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

CHINA’S LATEST OFFER. WASHINGTON, January 6. (Received Jan. 6, at 11.5 p.m.) » China has advanced somewhat on her previous offer. She wants to purchase the Shantung railway for cash, but is willing to employ a Japanese traffic manager and other administrative officers over a period of years. The Chinese left the conference determined to ask for the mediation of Mr Hughes and Mr Balfour if the Japanese refuse to accept the offer. ' It is believed that the Japanese are anxious to have some supervision over the line, and may concede the financial arrangements if they are sure their nationals will be represented on the staff, as in the case of the post offices.—A and N.Z. Cable. NAVAL AFFAIRS. FIYE-POWER TREATY. A PLEDGE OF PEACE. NEW YORK, January 5. Prince Tokugawa, in addressing the Chamber of Commerce, declared that the Five-Power 9m *fey which is being drafted at Washington was the great*** of peace ever conclnded. He said the achievements of the Arms Conference were especially important to the United- States and Japan, Because the frank discussion that had occurred had cleared away distrust and suspicion.—A, and N.Z, Cable.

CAPITAL SHIP TONNAGE. NOT AFFECTED BY SUBMARINE QUESTION. TOKIO, January 5. The Cabinet has decided that_ Japan shall maintain the position that disagreement over the submarine tonnage at Washington will in no way affect the decisions reached regarding the capital ship tonnage. ENTANGLING ALLIANCES. AMERICA SUSPICIOUS. (Fbom the Special Representative of the Australian Press Association.) WASHINGTON, January 5. The tendemees of certain schools of American politics on the subject of entangling alliances exemplified again today in a comment on a perfectly obvious provision in the Naval Treaty dealing with the situation arising if a signatory Power should become involved m war with a non-signatory Power. The commentators profess to see therein another subtle attempt on the part of European statesmen to drag the United States into Old World All sorts of dismal prognostications are made as_ to possible results. All that the provision will do will be to allow a Power attacked to retire from the treaty and to take such measures os may bo fiecessary for its defence.—A. and N.Z. Cable. THE NAVAL TREATY. PROVISION FOR REVISION. (From the Special Representative of the Australian Press Association.) WASHINGTON, January 6. '• (Received Jan. 6, at 10.10 p.m.) The Naval Treaty will contain provision for future conferences to consider the need of revision in case of political developments or discoveries of'inventions radically altering the present conduct of naval warfare. Britain does not regard the treaty as an offensive and defensive alliance. Therefore in case of war she holds herself freed from all restrictions regarding warship building. This view,is shared by the Japanese. The American ’spokesman, answering the usual crop of questions designed to extract an admission about European alliances, most emphatically denied that the provision would have any implication beyond what was indicated.—A. and N.Z. Cable. ROOT RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED. WASHINGTON, January 5. (Received Jan. 6, at 5.5 p.m.) At to-day’s conference the first and second Root resolutions were unanimously adopted, incorporating Mr Balfour’s amendment. —A. and N.Z. Cable. INTERNATIONAL LAW, RESTRICTION ON SUBMARINES. MERCHANT SHIPPING PROTECTED. WASHINGTON, January 4., (Received Jan. 6, at 8.45 p.m.)' Official: The Committee ou the Limitation of Naval Armaments agreed to the following resolution presented by Senator Root:—The first signatory Powers, desiring to make more effective the rules adopted by civilised, nations for the protection of the lives of neutrals and noncombatants at sea during the time of war,, "declare that among these rules the following shall be deemed to be as part of the international law :

1. A merchant vessel must be ordered to stop in order to be visited and searched to determine its character before it, can be seized. A merchant vessel must not be attacked unless it refuses to submit to a visit and search after a warning, or must proceed as directed after seizure. A merchant vessel must not be destroyed unless the crew and passengers have been first placed in safety. , 2. Belligerent submarines shall not under any circumstances be exempt from the universal rules above stated. If a submarine cannot capture a merchant vessel in conformity with, these rules, the existing law of nations requires it to desist from attack and seizure and to permit such merchant vessel to proceed A signatory Power can invite all otaer civilised Powers jto express their assent to the foregoing, so that there may be a clear understanding throughout the world of the standards of conduct by which the ■public opinion of the world is to pass judgment on future belligerents. Signatory Powers recognise the practical impossibility of using submarines as commerce destroyers without violating, as were violated during the recent war, the requirements universally accepted by civilised nations for the protection of |ne lives of neutrals and ndn-combatoiits, and the pro hibition of the use of i submarines as commerce destroyers shall be universally accepted as part of the law of nations. They shall now accept that prohibition as henceforth binding as between themselves, and they invite all other nations to adhere thereto.—A and N.Z. Cable. A CONTROVERSIAL DISCUSSION. (From the Special Representative of thJs Australian Press Association.) . WASHINGTON, January 6. (Received Jan. 6, at 9.35 p.m.) . Though the naval communique is purely confined to the announcement of the passing of the Root resolutions it is known that the discussion was highly controversial. The British tried to box the use of aircraft against merchantmen, which Mr Hughes ruled out of order. The French announced that fresh instructions had been received from Paris, but they did not intend to press for a clearer definition of a merchant vessel, which, therefore, remains as laid down by international law. The Italians carried, on the fight after the French withdrew their claims, but the British insisted that they proposed arming merchantmen during war-time even with the new submarine understanding. Eventually the resolution was passed, leaving the question to be decided, as in the past, by each nation itself when faced with war conditions. —A. and N.Z. Cable,