The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1918-11-26
YELLOW RACE
PR0VESPUZZLE
Injection of Racial Questions
at Peace Conference May
Be Mistake.
IMMIGRATION RICH IS
Speculation of What Shall Be
Considered Leads Into
Rather Deep Water.

40 what extent lnt toihihb I'"NN
conference shall be limited in sub
iects for consideration Is problem
that was today troubling the men
who must bear the burden of arrang-
ing the details. Broadly speaking.
there should be no limit, officials say.
But already 1t Is plain that unless
the problems are held down to ques-
tions growing entirely out of the war,
the business of the conference can
not be completed for many months
to come. Because of this the sug-
gestion from far eastern sources that
Japan and China would unite to ask
that their subjects be given rights
now denied them in the United
States and some of the British do
minions has resulted in directing at
tention to the fact that 1T might be
a very easy thing for some minor
participants in the conference TO
throw wrench into the machinery
that would smash the whole works.
-vitaIIy Interested.
The United States, Canada ana
Australia are vitality Interested IN
the so-called "yellow race" problem.
II has resulted in several near-con-
troversies with Japan, ana ofhcials
here today were inclined to believe
that any injection of racial prob
lem designed to open the door Tor
oriental immigration throughout the
world would be serious mistake.
But whether there has been any ex-
change OF views on this subject be-
Unitsd States and entepte
leaders is not known where,
Japan admittedly has done her
part in this war. Her navy carried
on in manner that pleased all OF
the allies while she was able TO emu
German rule in China. For that work
she now holds possession of the rich
German colonies in China, on which
millions were expended. and although
China expects to ask that this terrl-
tory be turned back to her. 1t is con-
sidered unlikely that this will be
done. Consequently there is an ap-
parent umanimity of opinion mere
that Japan already has been well re-
warded for her services. Austraiia
wants most of the other German col
onics in the Pacific, but some dlplo-
mats here today were inclined TO pc
lieve that should Japan, with Chinas
aid. decide to press for immigration
rights, the conference might grant
some additional island possessions IN
the Pacific and decide that the racial
problem was not subject Tor con-
sideration at this time.
Japan Conciliatory.
Omcials said today that they were
fully convinced that the japanese at
titude at the coming conference VIII
be concilatory. Although there nave
been some misunderstandings be-
tween the United States and Japan
over the Siberian problem, they all
were adjusted amicably. Through
out officials said today, the attitude
Of the Japanese government has been
most friendly and there is no dispo-
sition to look for any other attitude
at Versailles. AS matter OF fact,
officials declared today that 1t would
be found that as a result OF the COM
ing conference the relations between
the United States and Japan will be
more settled than in recent years.
This naturally will be made more
easily possible should the conference
decide, as is expected, that it cannot
consider questions of purely racial
origin.
Gratifying Dispatches.
There were many expressions or
today over the cables
from London, Paris and Rome indi-
eating that there is a growing senti-
mont there favoring prompt action
by the conference to ratify the views
by President Wilson in
his fourteen principles for peace. 1t
f,nI ~
these dispatches that the missionary !
work OF Col. f. NJ. House had swung |
over to the presidents views the "big |
.hree" premiers-Clemence OF
France Lloyd George of Great Brit |
hin and Orlando Of italy. But there |
1as been strong undercurrent OF !
opposition to this in Italy and Eng
and. This seemingly is now being |
iissipated and when the preliminary
between the leaders are !
leld next month in Paris, it Is con-
;idered absolutely certain that COM
)ete agreement will be speedily at
aimed.
incidentally, diplomats here today
we're inclined to criticise the evident
,fforts to stress the problem of the
reedom of the seas and to intimate J
hat this would be the one question
ipon which the United States and
he entente would wreck their expec- !
alton of an amicable agreement. The
,ntire question Is one easy of settle
nent, these officials said.
League of Nations.
They pointed out that the forma-
ion of a league of nations would in
tself Immediately provide for the es-
ablishment of supreme commission
or the world that would pass upon
IL questions of dispute between its
nembers.
This in itself would preclude fu-
ure wars. The existing navies Will
e called on to provide the interna-
ionaf police force, and the freedom
( the seas, so called. would be in
he hands of this police force.
AS matter of fact. there are not
wo officials in Washington who can
gree on what the phrase freedom
I the seas" actually means. The
ntire subject is as "clear as mud"
y high government official put 1t
oday. Consequently the suggestion
hat an agreement cannot be reached