New-York tribune., 1921-06-16
zap, immigration, Alien
Land Holding and Shan
tung Are Discussed by
Hughes With Shidehara
Conference Was
Sought by Toxic
Japanese Anxious to End
All Irritations Before
British Council Meets
By Carter Field

ASHIN GTON, June 15.--
Through Ambassador Shidehara, the
japanese have made a strong effort,
it was learned to-day, to get negotia-
tions under way looking to a final
settlement of all the potentially dam
gerous disputes between the United
States and the island kingdom.
Not only is there genuine desire
on the part of Japan to have the
various disputed points settled, but
they are particularly anxious, it is
believed here, to have it understood
in London this month and next, when
the British Imperial Conference
meets, that all matters of dispute be-
tween Japan and the United StateY
are being discussed in Washington
between Representatives of the TIVE
countries.
1t is thought that the effect OF
such information might tend to quies
the apprehensions Of representatives
Of the British dominions who will at4
tend the London conference, as Ia
the advisability Of renewing tbs
Anglo-Japanese alliance, which ex~
pires next month.
Pacific Impression Sought
In view of the public statements
of Premier Hughes of Australia ans
other prominent men in the donins
ions that this alliance should not BIS
renewed except on terms satisfactory
to the United States, it is believed
here that Japan would not De averse
to creating the impression, at least
that all irritation between tn.
United States and Japan was in
process Of being smoothed out.
1t was learned that preliminary dis.
cussions between Secretary Hughee
and Ambassador Shidehara already
have been begun. Mr. Hughes himself
was absent from the city to-day, but
it was learned from other sources that
beth sides seem to be pleased with the
progress made in these preliminary
discussions. The subjects already
taken up, or to be taken up, include
the California land question, immi-
grafton, the return OF Shantung to
China, Yap, the Japanese occupation
of the northern half of Saghalin
Island and, in fact, every single ques-
tion over which there is any irritation
between the two countries.
From the Japanese side it is pointed
out that there has been what they re-
gard as misrepresentation of their
position in most of the controversial
questions. They think Japan has been
misunderstood in the United States
and they profess an earnest desire to
have the differences cleared up and
smoothed away. Otherwise, they fear,
situation will continue which at any
time might easily fare up III a serious
difficulty.
Naval Expenditures Involved
There is another phase to it, and
that bears on disarmament and its
twin brother-tax reduction. Re-
Gently the japanese 'sidestepped the
question of disarmament in public
statement TO the broad general effect
that special function of the League
of Nations organization. was to work
on this line, and so the japanese gov
ernment would patiently wait for the
league to function, meanwhile rushing
naval construction.
But the Japanese believe that if all
their troubles with America could be
settled definitely now around council
table they could reduce their naval
expenditures materially, and eonse-
quently their taxes.
From the American side, of course, it
IL pointed out that there is more or
less OF the same germ of truth. Ex-
cept for few naval enthusiasts and
lions tail twisters, there are not many
advocates of navy larger than that
of Great Britain. Most preparedness
| advocates would be satisfied with the
second largest navy in the world. But
| every one wants navy bigger and
stronger than that of Japan. So that
! perhaps it would be easier TO save
money on the American navy if all the
disputes with the FIowery Kingdom
could be settled by Hughes and Shide-
hara.