Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-07-22
JAPS SWINGING
into LINE FOR
NATIONS FARLEY
On Disarmament and
Discussion O. F ar
East Problems
Washington Officials Optimistic
Following Conference of Sec
rotary Hughes and Ambassa-
dor Shidehara-Yap Cues
ton May Also be Talked Over

Washington, July 21-(By the As
sociated Press conf
dence that Japan will consent to a
broad discussion of Far Eastern
problems as part of the disarma-
ment conference was evident in of
fetal circles here tonight after an
other informal exchange of views
between the japanese and American
governments.
During the day the Japanese Am
bassador, Baron Shidehara, called on
Secretary Hughes at the State De
partment and they are understood
to have discussed at length the sit
uatioh resulting from Japan's reluc-
lance to have the Far Eastern ques-
tions subjected to debate in the dis
armament negotiations. 1t was in
dicated afterward that the mutual
exchange was regarded as helpful by
both sides and that the cOnVerSa-
tons soon might reach stage max
ing possible in formal diplomatic
I
There was every evidence that the
American government remained I'M
shaken in its belief that definite
elimination of any subject from the
scope of the conference beforehand
might prove Il serious barrier to the
disarmament discussion itself On
the other hand. it was indicated that
4 N orjn N lG h1l 10
formulate a list of the questions that
it thinks should be discussed, and
would be quite content if the Toxic
government simply agreed to come
into the conference with an open
mind as to consideration of anything
vital to disarmament agreement.
Those in charge of the prelimi-
nary negotiations here have heard
with much interest the suggestion
that some of the trouble of the con-
ference might be obviated if such
question: as the disposition of the
Pacific Island of zap and the con-
troll of Shantung peninsula wero~ set
tied before the delegates assembled.
Although official comment is lack
ing. it is manifest that such a dcvcl-
opment would be gratifying to Amer
lean officials and that some steps
may be taken to speed these ques-
tons toward solution.
1t is considered likely that to this
end negotiations regarding zap, over
which Japan was awarded a man
date by the League of Nations. may
be actively resumed in the near flu
turc. There already has been some
diplomatic correspondence on the
subject the United States taking the
position that this and other former
German possessions could not be
disposed of without the acouiescencc
of this government, but thus far the
negotiations have been in conclu-
siVe.
III the case of Shantung. the indi-
Gated view of the state Department
has been that any dispute over SOW
ereignty should be subject of ne
g0tiation between Japan and China.
reports have reached here that To-
kio is ready to undertake such IL ne
gotiatiOn and it would occasion no
surprise if China were encouraged to
take a similar attitude
The view advanced in some Jap
anese quarters that both zap and
Shantung should be regarded as
closed incidents outside the purview
of the disarmament conference APP
parently has found little support
here. Consequently both are regard
ed as likely to come before the con-
ference
1t was indicated today that despite
the digestion Of British dominion
statesmen for a postponement of the
conference until next spring. officials
here believed the plan to begin SEES
sions by early November would in
the end find general acceptance.