Evening star., 1921-08-06
DOUBTS D|SARM|NG
PARLEY RESULTS

Japanese FTeSS, however,
Comedies Americas
EarneStness.
LONDON. August 6.-That the prac-
tical results Of the Washington con-
ference cannot be reckoned upon with
any degree of confidence is the con-
clusion of the Japanese press and
public opinion in Japan, according to
a long statement communicated to the
London newspapers by the Japanese
embassy.
After reviewing the attitude of the
various Japanese newspapers respect
ing the invitation to the conference
and the agenda, procedure and other
details. the statement concludes:
"On the whole there energies both
from the press and public the opinion
that at the present moment. although
American earnestness and disinterest-
edness generally are taken for grant
ed. there is a certain current Of opinion
unfavorable to the American proposal,
because. although theoretically re-
garded with complete approval, 1t is
reckoned upon with any degree Of
confidence"
Invitation Not Understood.
That there existed some misconcep-
tion of President Harding's invitation
for conference for the discussion Of
armament Limitation and Pacific Ques-
tions is indicated by the summary
of the proceedings of the imperial
conference, issued at the conclusion
of the last session of that body.
In accordance with the suggestion.
which was believed to have been
made by the American government.
that the conference on disarmament
should be preceded by friendly con-
versations or consultations between
the powers principally concerned in
the future of the far east and the
Paclhc says the summary. the i'm
perial conference. anxious that for
the Anglo-Japanese agreement there
should be substituted some larger ar
rangement between the three great
powers concerned, namely, the United
states, Japan and Great Britain, and
holding the firm conviction that the
later discussions on disarmament. to
which they attached transcendent i'm
portance, could best be made effective
by previous mutual understanding
on Pacific questions between those
powers. discussed these preliminary
conversations or consultations which
the American government had. in
principle. agreed should be held in
London.
Cites British Action.
when it transpired," continues the
summary, that there was some mis-
understanding as to the nature of the
suggested preliminary conversation,
the British government. in a desire
to remove any possible misconceptton
and to meet what it believed to be the
American view, volunteered to attend
a meeting on the other side of the
Atlantic. at which the agenda Of
the Washington conference could be
discussed.
Premier Lloyd George. Marquis
were prepared to attend such a meet
ing if invited by the American gov
ernment. Japan also had signified
her willingness to attend. The
not favor the idea. which accordingly
was dropped.
AT no stage was it suggested that
the result of such consultation should
either anticipate the work or tie the
hands of the Washington conference.
On the other hand. the imperial con-
ference made the proposal because it
was anxious to remove every possible
obstacle from the path of the Wash
ington meeting. which it desired to
see attended with complete success"
The summary declares that the
greater part of the proceedings Of the
imperial conference relating to for
eign affairs and defense was of a con-
fidential character. bat that the dis
cussions revealed a unanimous opinion
as to the main lines to be followed by
the British policy and a deep convic-
tion that the whole weight of the en-
pire should be concentrated behind a
united understanding and common ac-
tion in foreign affairs. Frequent con-
sultations were decided upon.
Naval Defense Left to ParliaMente.
The matter of naval defense was left
to the various parliaments. as was the
question of imperial communication.
1t was decided to improve the wire
less link. while the various govern
ments recommended the introduction
of uniform legislation regarding bills
Of lading. Any assistance given by
the governments for DEDUCTION of rates
should be SO directed as not to affect
the quality OF the news service or the
freedom of the newspapers SO served
A resolution was passed, with South
Africa dissenting, the summary says.
that the rights of British Indians to
citizenship should be recognized.
Representative of India expressed
their profound concern at the posi-
tion of Indians in South Africa. and
their hope that by negotiation between
the governments of India and South
Africa some way might be found to
tory.
A meeting of a committee of rep
resentatives of the patent Offices of
the Dominions will be held in Lon
don. it was decided, 10 consider the
practicabilfty of instituting a sys-
TEN for granting patents. which will
be valid throughout the empire.
It was agreed that, in view of the
consultations of the premiers, no ad-
vantage was to be gained by holding
ho OF
ence.
France Agrees to Date.
PARIS. August 5.-France. replying
today to an inquiry made by the
State Department at Washington.
agreed to November IL as the date
of the conference in Washington on
disarmament and far eastern ques
tions.