New-York tribune., 1921-06-13
New Policy Expected To
Be Fixed by Imperial
Conference Which Meets
in London ON Thursday
Japanese Treaty
To Be Decided
Disarmament Agreement
With America and Toxic
Likely To Be Discussed
speeia, ccbre to The Tribune


LONDON, June 12.-The fate of two
questions Of international concern
how peace shall be established in Ire
land and whether the Anglo-Japanese
alliance shall be renewed-wil be de-
eided by the action of the British inn
perial conference that opens here
Thursday. These two outstanding is
sues among the fourteen that have been
placed on the sgenda for discussion by
the leaders of the empire promise to
dominate the conference.
Contingent upon the Anglo-Japanese
treaty discussion may be the possibil-
among the powers, particularly the
United States, Great Britain and Japan,
upon disarmament. How far the re-
newal of the existing pact would pref
udice the conclusion of an agreement
TO reduce ornaments, and whether the
United States would consent TO discuss
disarmament with Japan and England
ii those two nations are committed to
defensive alliance, are questions that
must be considered il the imperial
conference sessions.
Irish Changes Expected
Radical changes in the governments
policy in Ireland are expected to come
from the discussions. The fact that
the conference is first attempt TO for
lnulate an imperial foreign policy and
to readjust the constitutional relations
of the various parts of the empire
makes the settlement Of the Irish ques-
ton matter of prime Importance.
Some of the dominion Premfers, nota-
bly, General Jan c. Smuts, representing
South Africa, and Arthur Meighen,
Canadian Prime Minister, are expected
to bring out plainly their beliefs that
o solution of present difficulties in
Erin must be found.
William Morris Hughes, who will
represent Australia, although not in
the least sympathetic toward Sim Fein,
has every reason to urge a settlement.
Archbishop Mannix is not the only
Irish sympathizer who has made the
Australian Premier's lot increasingly
difficult.
In view Of the fact that the Anglo
Japanese alliance expires by limitation
on July Is the proposed renewal of
the relationship on greatly altered
terms will be one Of the first matters
considered at the round table. It
promises also to be the subject of
greatest interest. Most Of the repre-
sentatives of the different parts of the
empire have expressed their views or
the subJecr o. renewal most frankly.
On the other hand, Premier Lloyd
George and members of his Cabinet
have maintained a profound reticence.
Il is generally understood that the
Premier and his Foreign Minister, the
Marquis of Curzon, are in favor of
renewing the treaty after drastic
changes have been made in it. The
Japanese, it is said, would be satisfied
with almost any kind of treaty, but
the question that is puzzling the Brit
ish is the effect which the renewal of
the alliance would have on Anglo
American relations.
If the United States could be induced
TO become party to the kind Of
triple agreement the position of the
British would improve immensely and
,he question of international disarma-
nent could be approached with some
iope of reaching a satisfactory settle
cent
Closely bound up with the discus
ions of the Anglo-Japanese treaty is
the empires naval power. If the do
ninions were in a financial position to
maintain adequate defensive fleets, the
present treaty would be scrapped, but
they cannot afford to support large
Havies now, and neither can the mother
country maintain a sufficiently large
fleet in the Pacific. Patrolling there
must be left to Japan, as under the
present arrangement
Through Colonel George Harvey, the
united States Am bassador at the Court
Of st. James's and Sir Auckland Geddes.
British Ambassador at Washington,
the Harding Administration will be ad-
vised of every step taken at the impe-
rial sessions toward revision of the
present treaty to make it conformable
to American ideals.
Strong Differences Predicted
Although the council sessions are
supposed to constitute sort Of family
party, there are indications already
that strong differences of opinion are
gong to arise over the questions to be
discussed. The sessions will extend
over period of several weeks, and at
present there is little hope that any
important decisions, except regarding
sne Japanese treaty, can be reached be-
iore the middle of the summer. Some
aecislon on the alliance must be
reached in order that it's renewal may
De facilitated aJ the date Of expiration
month hence.
Premier Lloyd George expects to pre-
side at the first session, with the sup
port OF the Marquis of Curzon and
sMinston Spencer Churchill, Minister of
pate for the Colonies, but it is possi-
oie that the state of his health will
prevent his attendance at the opening
meeting In that case only informal
seSchanges of views will be given until
.ne Premier is well enough to under
.ake his duties. At the conference
taoie besides the three British minis
s sefs will be Premiers Meighen, Hughes
smsts and William z. Massey, of New
sea.aEd; the Maharaja of Kutch, reprc-
ssnting in3ia, and Sir Edgar r. Bow
,,lng, High Commissioner for Newfound-