Extra-territoriality

Despatches at length carried details respecting the assemblv of the Chinese Extraterritoriality Conference (TIME, Dec. 28) at Peking a fortnight ago, after more than a month's delay due to the uncertainty of the general situation.

The Chinese Commissioner, Dr. Wang Chang-hui, was chosen temporary chairman upon a motion of Sir Skinner Turner, the British Commissioner. Later the Japanese Commissioner, Baron Hioki, proposed the U. S. Commissioner, famed Chicago lawyer Silas Strawn, as permanent chairman. Mr. Strawn assumed this role "amid acclaim." Later M. Toussaint, the French Commissioner, was elected vice chairman.

The Commission proceeded to embark upon the same nugatory deliberations as continue to characterize the proceedings of the Chinese Customs Conference (TiME, Nov. 2 et seq.), at which Mr. Strawn likewise represents the U. S. Neither conference can do more than mark time until a really stable Chinese Government emerges with which it can deal.