Evening star., 1921-07-08
WOULD AIR WHOLE
FAR EAST QUESTION
Britain Said to Want Con-
ference With U. S., Japan
and China.
BY the Associated Press

By the Associated Press
LONDON, July s.-Great Britain. it
was stated here today in a quarter
usually possessed of reliable information.
is believed to have made overtures to
the United States. Japan and China on
the possibility of conference to discuss
the whole eastern situation.
If this is correct. it is pointed out, il;
might explain what Mr.. Lloyd George, the
prime minister. meant yesterday when he
stated in the house of commons that he
was awaiting replies from America and
China before making a statement to the
house concerning the Anglo-Japanese
treaty.
Would Naturally Sound L. s.
Official circles declined to comment on
the nature of any commune Iticns with
the United States or Japan, but II was
said in those circles 1t would be reason
able to assume that these countries
would be fully sounded before Great
Britain would show her hand.
Announcement of the British policy
is expected to be forthcoming next
Monday in the statement which Mr..
Lloyd George said he was fairly hope
full of being in a position to make.
This statement is said to be "a very
comprehensive one"
In view of the British prime min
ister's statement, there now can be
no harm in stating that the original
proposal for such a conference came
from the Canadian government early
in February last 1t was then sug-
through the department Of external
affairs. be empowered to consult with
WashinEton-to sound it out SO to
speak-on the possibility of a Pacific
conference.
Plan Has Strong Support.
The proposal does not appear to have
been accepted at the time, the reason
being, it is understood that there was
some difficulty. in getting the Pacific
to be done, although it was evident from
the first that the British government was
favorable to such a step. However, the
idea steadily grew, and when at the be-
ginning of the conference Premier
Meighen of Canada and Premier Smuts
Of South Africa advocated such a gath
ering as a substitute for an anglo
japanese alliance, they met with al
most unanimous support.
What the replies Of Japan and the
United States may be nobody here pre-
tends to know. 1t is felt, however that
in SO far rs the United States is con-
cerned there could be a great chance of
its response being more favorable if the
anglo-Japanese alliance had been de-
nounced.
Alliance May Re Denounced.
Should 1t be found that the continued
existence of the alliance was standing
in the way Of a conference, then 1t is
certain that some of the dominion
premiers will press for the necessary
twelve months notice of denuncia tion
being given at once.
Meanwhile the British press makes
no attempt to disguise the fact that
it regards the situation as one of
the whole future Of armament and the
peace of the world.
Notwithstanding the decision of
Lord Birkenf ad. the lord chancellor.
that the An.-o japanese treaty will
remain in force Until twelve months
after such time as the foreign office
may serve notice Of its desire to de-
nounce it. Premier Meighen of Canada
and other opponents of the Anglo
Japanese alliance in the conference of
premierS are unwilling to let the
question rest.
1t is understood they have deter
mined to bring the matter up again
some time next week and are conf
dent that. as a result of the represen-
tations they propose making steps
will be taken toward giving the
twelve months notice of the termina-
ton of the treaty.
Favors Continuing Alliance.
TOXIC. July> Former Premier
Kato, who is closely and officially
connected with the history of the
Anglo-Japanese alliance, is quoted by
the newspapers as saying that Japan
need not continue the alliance If there
is objection on the part of Great
Britain, but that its renewal is de-
sirable so long as there is no strong
objection.