The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-07-12

Washington, July Japan alone
today remained outside the confer
ence barrier. Every nation to which
President Harding addressed his in
vitation to conference has either for
mally or informally signified its will
ingness to participate with the excep-
tion of Japan.
While there is little in Washington
to indicate tho japanese attitude, Of
ffcials entertained no serious doubts
today but that Japan viii be repre-
sented when tho embassaries of the
world powers gather around the con-
ference table in Washington in the
coming autumn.
Would Be Forced In.
Moral pressure exerted by the other
world powers alone will bring Japan
into the conference, according to the
belief prevailing among officials here
today. They declared that Japan
cannot afford to remain outside the
conference and thus give notice to the
world that she is not willing to re-
duce armament and endeavor to set
tie the problems of the Pacific which
aro prolific of trouble.
Much conflicting news has come
from Toxic in recent months regard
ing disarmament and actually there is
little known in Washington concern
ing the real attitude of the japanese
people on the question. Some Japan
ese leaders and lecturers have been
loud in their demands for an interna-
tional armament agreement but on
the other hand the press of Japan has
been rattling the sabre while the gov
ernment went on arming at furious
pace.
Jap Acceptance Delayed.
There is reason to believe, however,
that Japan would accept the invita-
tion with a great deal more aIacrity
were the proposed conference to deal
merely with the question of arma-
Inents. The inclusion of the whole
problem of the Pacific and Far East
in the program is not pleasing to
Toxic. according to well informe ed
East phase of the conference looms
larger and larger as the proposition is
studied.
1t must. of necessity, occupy place
in the program of business and agree
ment must be reached on every dis
puted point before the conference car
get around to the question of reducing
armies and navies.
At the Japanese. embassy today, i
was stated that it probably would b'
some time before a reply was forth
coming from Japan, because of tht
fact that the invitation will have t.
be considered by several councils anC
bodies.
Let the World Know
The world will be kept fully ant
promptly informed concerning tn
proceedings of the international con
ference of world powers, planned 70
Washington this autumn. it was state'
in high administration circles today.
While the conference will com
prise only representatives of Grea
Britain. Japan. France, Italy and tn
United States, steps will be taken,
was said. to keep the smaller power
of the world fully acquainted with tn
progress of the negotiations. Tn
meeting is to be no secret conclave,
administration officials emphasized.
Officials were inclined to stress thi
point today in order to forestal
criticism which they see arising amonl
some of the smaller nations who ma,
feel offended at being excluded from
the conclave.
Conference Limited.
1t was explained thas the proposet
conference was limited, first, to thos
nations having recognized interests il
the Pacific. and second, to those ma
tfons powerful enough in a militar
and naval way to engage in a war o
world dimensions. The size of tn
conference was purposely kept smal
because it was felt the negotiation
could be expedited. 1t was feared tha
a league conference might prov
cumbersome. such as were some of tn
sessions of the peace conference a
Paris
While the United States Is credite
as the originator of the conferenc
proposal. and will pay host to tn
other powers. it will in no way en-
deavor to guide" or direct" tn
course of the proceedings, it was sal
by officials today.
It Is the present plan of the admin