The daily times., 1921-07-29
NO USELESS DISCUSSIONS
The United States is Proceed
ing on the Basis That Japan
is Ready to Enter Heartily
Into the Proceedings and
That Results May be Sc
cured.
(By David Lawrence).
Copyright, 1921, by The Daily
TimeS.)

NSoPJ ASht, NY liz odIly
Times)
Washington, July 2S.-The United
States government is proceeding on
the assumption that all the powers
including Japan will approach the
subject of program for the disarm-
ament conference with a desire to
get results and not to use the meSt-
ing as a vehicle for an interminable
discussion of international problems.
Japan's acceptance of Americas s in
vitation creates in Washington
most favorable effect. 1t is true there
are some phrases in the Japanese
reply which appear to be a quail
fication but the important fact to
bear in mind is that Secretary
Hughes doesn't regard it as a quail
fed acceptance. When Japan said
problems should be omitted from the
discussion which are of sole con-
Germ to certain particular powers
and that matters be excluded which
may be regarded ''as accomplished
facts" it was possible to construe her
words as sort of warning against
too much optimism concerning her at
titude but Mr.. Hughes who is a dis
tinguished lawyer doesn't have that
impression and looks ! upon the
japanese statement as a legal ''ca-
veat", something which the United
States or any other power would
feel free to express before entering
any conference. The Japanese are
cautious and do not want to seem to
be agreeing to a reOpening of all Far
Eastern questions. 1t is an import
ant thing that they agree to discuss
Far Eastern questions at all for the
Japanese have always shown a re-
.luctance to throw all their problems
into the hopper for discussion by
outside powers. If America were
asked to submit to any questions af-
fecting Central or South America,
there would surely be opposition
When the Monroe Doctrine was men
toned in connection with the league
of nations, American Senators insist
ed that not only must the doctrine
be omitted from the scope of the
covenant but no question must ever
be permitted to come before the
league affecting the Doctrine in any
way.
| In view of this history, the official
! feeling here is one of gratitude tc
Japan for taking so broad view Of
the problems of the world and being
willing in the first place to discus:
Far Eastern questions in specla
international conference and second
ly placing only a slight limitation or
the character of the subject to be
discussed.
The phrase problems of sole con
Germ to certain powers" is construed
/ here OF mean that Japan may feel L
wise to urge the omission of the i'm
migration question if it comes up fol
she believes she can adjust it mucf
more easily by direct negotiation be
tween herself and the powers con
cerned than through general par
ley. The United States government
might be disposed to take simllal
view.
| OF course if Japan insisted tina
the Yap question was an accom-
lplished fact, the United state
would point out that France and ltal
thave concurred in the American view
Ipoint namely that the Yap mandat
was not legally bestowed on Japal
and should be reconsidered. If dis
lcussion should ensue as to whethe
'lYap should be included in the pro
igram of the conference, it might eas
lily happen that the program woul
lnot be fully decided upon until tn
lconference actually began in Wnlc
u lease the same result would be achieV
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