I now turn to the subject of the special conference on Citinese customs tariffs actually in session.
Close observations of developments in China cannot fail to note the growing signs of political awaken. ing among the Chinese people. Old China is disappearing to give way to a new China.
Extending as we do our sincere] good wishes for her healthy progress, we are not without a feeling. of deep concern for the future of that nation in witnessing the ten-1ey of certain sections of the pro? mising young generation who, mize led.by groundless reports' and sinister propaganda, are easily attracted to political' activities of dangerous and destructive nature. In any case it would be a gross mistake to ignore the considerable changes that have tekken place in recent years... Military potentates may rise or fall by fortune of war, but national consciousness, one kindled, can never be suppressed and any pressure brought to bear upon it will make it still deeper.
The Customs Conference One phase of such self awakening among the Chinese people has taken.'the form of a craving for tariff autonomy.
Fully realizing this situation we have formulated our line, of policy, relating to the customs Conference. As soon as the Conference was opened on October 26 the Chinese Gelegation submitted the question of tariff autonomy. Pursuant to. the defined policy of its Govern ment the Japanese delegation expressed itself randy to take up the:
tion in sympathy with the Position of China and in close communication with the other Powers The manifold difficulties that had stood in the way of unanimous: faction were successfully overcome: fand on November 19 at a meeting: of one of the committees appointed: by the Conference, a resolution was: passed on the subject of acceptance or China's tariff autonomy.
'At the same time, what we have' constantly in view, is the common prosperity of both Japan and' China, What we are secking to at= tain is an adjustment fair and equal to both to both parties, We are confident that the Chinese peo: ple have no such unreasonable sire as to satisfy exclusively their own position without any regard to whatever effects may be suffered the Japanese industry and commerce.
We trust that the work of the Conference will be continued and. expedited as far as circumstances permit.
The Commission on Extraterritoriality in China ts now also in session. We have always been sympathetically disposed toward the just aspiration of the Chinevo people to recover full judicial: authority and we are looking forward with keen interest to the finding and the recommendation: which are to be made by the Com: mission, conformably to the resolution of the Washington Conference,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.