Evening star., 1921-12-07
UNFINISHED WORK
BUR|ES DELEGATES
Contradiction and Confusion
Hamper Conference-koth-
ing Final Accomplished.
BY PAUL SCOTT MowRER


The outstanding characteristic OF
the Washington conference. In IT'S
present stage, is contradiction ana
confusion. There are about as many
opinions as to what has happened ana
what is going to happen as there are
observers and analysts observing anu
analyzing. Many people can already
tell you just how and when the con-
ference will end: the disconcertins
thing is that they do not agree IN
their prognostications. Some say II
is already a splendid success. othefs
that 1t is an assured failure. some
think the proposal to cut naVies IA.
yors the United States: others that
it is contrary to American interests
There are numberless predictions that
Japan will or will not get out OF
China, and will or will not accept
the American naval ratio plan. Those
who are convinced Britain is Work
ing with the United States against
Japan are no more numerous than
those who have perceived that Britain
is plotting with Japan against the
United States. A really enormous
amount of dope concerning treaties,
understandings. ententes. future con-
ferences, and the status of the Anglo
Japanese alliance is in circulation
until ones head spins and the sense
of fact and reality grows cold and
numb.
Actual State Of Mind.
am not joking. This is actually
at present the state of mind of those
who are reporting the conferences. and
also of many of those who are par
ticipating in the work of the confer
ence. The confusion and contradiction
is due partly to secrecy and to official
n rfs.tr
is asked publicly of the delegates, but
largely to the plain, obvious fact that
while many matters are under dis
cussion. none have been concluded.
In u word. the conference, although
it may be said to be making prog
ress." has thus far accomplished"
nothing.
People desirous of following the
work of the conference will do well
10 realize this situation. 1t can be
quickly summarized.
Two Main Subjects.
There are two main subjects-naval
limita ton and the far eastern Ques-
tion. In the former. the United States
has laid down plan of ratios. a naval
holiday and a fixed replacement pro-
gram. Japan and Britain have ac-
cepted 'in principle" which means
maybe. There is a deadlock between
Japan and the United States on the
ratio point, and Japan is waiting for
Instructions from Toxic. When this
Is settled the holiday and replacement
features can be decided. Then the
important questions of auxiliary craft.
including submarines, of naval bases
and of the ratios of the French and
Italian navies will have to be taken UP.
: Meantime land armament has been
discussed and practically dropped
and a committee is working on the
nf yrh Ia
agencies of war, such as poison gas,
can be regulated"
China ON Carpet.
In the far eastern question the
subheading China" is on the carpet.
China's ten points" have been heard
and the far eastern committee has
adopted Elihu Roots -four princi-
pies" The committee is now trying
70 apply these principles. China is
presenting it's case, bit by bit, and
the bits are being referred to COM
nsittees. The question Of raising
the Chinese tarifr is in the hands
fty is to be studied bv a commission
which will go to China and report
back to the governments concerned
some six months hence. The ques-
tion of foreign troops. police and
China is in the hands of a subcom-
mittee. The powers have agreed to
abolish their foreign post ofIices in
China. but they have neglected to
specify when: the date is left open.
The discussion of the thorny ques-
ton of leased territories has begun.
and is to be continued today in COM
mittee. The Shantung affair is being
debated privately. between Japan and
China. under the auspices of Britain
number of things. are under way,
but nothing has been done.
After China Is disposed of other
far eastern matters. notably Siberia
and inundated islands," will come
before the conference, which evil
IDENTIFY has. therefore, a considerable
distance still to 60 1t is because
no final decisions have as yet been
taken that it is SO difficult for COM
Inentators, observers and analysts to
the conference. !;
(Cpnyrieht 1a21l