Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1921-12-08
new 4-PoWER
ALLIANCE NOW
BEING PROPOSED
Latest Suggestion Links U. S.,
Britain, Japan and France.
TO REPLACE OLD PACT
Proposal Means Agreement on Fas
Eastern Poiiey-Tentatlve Draft
10 Considered by Con.
ference.

Washington-The question of
three or four-power agreement to re-
place the Anglo-Japanese alliance is
demanding increased attention among
the arms delegates while they wait for
Japan to define her position on the
naval ratio.
The latest suggestion contemplating
an intent to include the United States.
Great Britain, japan and France has
developed to the point where ten
tative treaty draft is under considera-
ton In some quarters. There are in
dications that the Japanese delegates.
and perhaps the British as we'll, are
consulting their home government on
such a proposition at the same time
that they are asking for further in
struction in regard to the naval ratio.
On the part Of the American govern
ment there apparently is no disposi-
ton to entertain an Entente proposal.
Later such a suggestion may receive
consideration provided it includes no
requirements counter to American
public opinion.
Navy Far East Problems Linked.
Upon high authority 1t was said that
the naval problem as it was referred
to Toxic after the last meeting OF the
Big Three, involves no proposal for
q political agreement of any charac-
ter but Is concerned solely with the
naval and military aspects OF the
situation.
The American belief that the naval
question can be settled independent Of
political issues apparently is not
readily accepted In all quarters.
A British spokesman recently de.
clared that the British view the naval
and Far Eastern problems were bound
up in the same sheaf and there have
been indications Of like opinion
among some Japanese.
Tanele Possible.
1t is considered possible that in the
present period of waiting the two
threads of negotiations may become
30 tangled in the foreign capitals as
to give the American delegation con
siderable trouble In separating them
when the discussions are resumed. II
would not surprise some observers II
there should be an attempt to make
the final reply of one or more OF the
governments conditional upon poll
tical agreement Of one sort or an
other.
The proposal for the four-power En-
tente as now advanced is considered
an outgrowth Of the suggestion Of
David Lloyd George that the Washing
ton conference might we'll consider
merging the Anglo-Japanese alliance
into an arrangement to which the Uni
ted States might be q part. The Jap
anese have shown an inclination tc
take up that proposal.
U. 8. Policy Not Disclosed
These hints have never brought the
subject to the point of a formal ex
change Of views. however. For re
vealed to the foreign delegates jus
how far the United States might b,
willing to 90 in that direction
Neither will the American represen
tatives discuss the question publicly
but they are known to regard 1t al
fraught with many complicated pos
sibilities.
In every consideration of a possible
treaty or International understanding
to replace the alliance the American
delegates have kept in mind the posi-
BILE temper of the Senate should 1t b
asked to ratify such an agreement.