Belgium's Rights and' Dr, Keo's Challenge The Washington Treaties, to which China is a signatory, provide a definite modus operandi for the abolition of extraterritoriality China, In accordance with those treaties, a Commission visited China and sought to investigate the possibility of abolishing extraterritoriality, although it was constantly hampered by the civil war and lack of governmental authority in the country. Dr. Wellington Koo's abrogation of the Belgian treaty and his abolition of extraterritoriality for Belgians in China, are as much a denunciation of the Washington treaties as of the Belgian treaty.
The Belgian Treaty is in one respect unilateral, as are most of China's treaties; abrogation is only within the province of Belgium. When China raised the question of abrogation and revision, Belgium asked for time in view of the eration of the Washington treaties and the reports of the Extraterritoriality Commission. Dr. Koo declined to wait for these reports, although he is a signatory of the Washington treaties. Belgium then suggested that the question be ar-bit rated by The Hague tribunal. Dr. Koo declined to arbitrate anything. His act of abrogation is a direct challenge to all treaty Pow-ere, but is to a large ext gated by the fact that in the sent condition of Chinese polities, Dr. Koo's act is personal, as he cannot be said to represent a very large part of Chi Dr. Koo's abrogation is not aimed so_inueh against Belgium as against France anid Japan, whose treaties are shalt. up for revision.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.