Walker Lake Bulletin

RESTRICTIONS OF ARMS DISCUSSED

ARMS CONFERENCE TO TAKE UP MATTER OF LOOKING TO PROHIBITION OF ARMS TO CHINA

Prevention of Importations of Weapons for China to Be Discussed By Washington Conference

Washington - As one means of giving effect to its declaration last week in favor of reduction of the Chinese army the arms conference is considering another resolution looking to prohibition of the importation of arms into China.

The proposition emanated from the American delegation, which went into Monday's meeting of the Far Eastern conference prepared to present it fully. The subcommittee on the Chinese Eastern railroad also had a report ready for consideration and it was indicated that both of these proposals would be disposed of before the committee turned its attention to Siberia, the next subject on the Far Eastern agenda.

The Chinese Eastern plan was understood to contain continuance of present interallied control of the road until more stable conditions are restored in Russia, into whose territory the road crosses from Manchuria.

The arms prohibition plan was believed acceptable to most of the delegations of the powers, and it was indicated also that the Chinese, who heartily supported the preceding resolution regarding reduction of China's army, would not interpose any objection.

At the time of the settlement of the Boxer difficulties many years ago, one of the conditions imposed upon China by the powers was that further importation of firearms into China should be prohibited. This provision, however, is said to have been "more honored in the breach than in the observance."

At the instance of Japan, attention has been called to the facility with which various brigand and factional bands in China were able to secure the latest firearms from abroad.