Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1921-11-23
The HQski,1 Letter o 1ss Rsss=
A TWO POWER CONFERENCE.


that if the United States disarmed and
withdrew from the international strug-
gle, other nations would eventually fol-
low suit. But this is rather hard to
prove. It seems more probable that
if the United States withdrew her in
fluence from the Orient she would
merely leave it an open field for the
imperialistic ambitions of other ma
tons, and that she would eventually
have to encounter this Imperialism
when it was much stronger than it is
today.
If, then, the United States is to re-
main factor in the Pacific, it is clear
that the chief force with which she
has to contend is the imperialism Of
Japan, supported by Great Britain. 1t
is of the utmost Importance that the
American public should understand
these facts. But nothing would be more
unfortunate than for that understand
Japan or Great Britain. There are
liberal and anti-militarist forces in
japan, just as there are in Great Brit
ain. Likewise, there are militaristic
and imperialistic forces in the United
States. The situation should be re-
garded as a struggle of liberal forces
in all countries against war-making
forces in all countries. The japanese
who is liberal and wants peace and dis
armament is an ally of the American
in the same frame of mind. And with
regard to Japan, it must be remem-
bered that Japan's whole rise in the
world has been by war. and that she
owes her very existence as nation to
her army and navy She is the only
nation in Asia that has not been over
hi, foI Nv tho E,1rn
ans. She has preserved her integrity,
by toting q gun, and she knows it. 1t
cannot be a matter for surprise, then,
that she is not quick to lay down that
gun.
AngIo-Jap Alliance
None-the less world peace depends
largely upon the remuneration by Japan
Of her imperialistic ambitions in Asia
generally and in China in particular.
These ambitions are made possible
largely by her alliance with Great
Britain. If this alliance comes to an
end the militaristic party in Japan will
be weakened, and without losing any
thing that is rightfully hers, Japan
will be forced to adopt foreign policy
less menacing to her neighbors and to
the peace of the world.
It is clear then that leading object
of the conference for the United States
is to prevent asrenewal of the Anglo
japanese alliance. 1t is here. in the
opinion of experts, that our diplomacy
will be tested. The alliance will prob
ably be explained as one that does
not in any way menace our interests.
1t is probable, too, that we will be
invited to join it, making it triple
alliance.
The Anglo Japanese alliance has
been an extremely profitable relation
for both of the principals. They will
not give it up without a struggle. But
the best-informed opinion in this coun-
try is that American interests demand
complete enforcement of British and
Japanese interests, and a definite
alignment of Great Britain behind
American Pacific policy.
1t should not be forgotten that in
ternational agreements often have
clauses which are not published, and
sometimes work out in ways that
could scarcely be deduced from their
wording. 1t seems probable that Amer
lean diplomacy and American public
opinion should stand firmly against any
sort of AngloJapanese alliance, re-
CARELESS of its wording or of it's
projected inclusion of this country. BY
reason of her finacial strength alone,
America is in a position to enforce her
point Of view, if her representatives
are shrewd enough. American diplo-
macy was outwitted at Versailles It
has been outwitted at least once since
then. Undoubtedly there are many
persons who expect it to be outwitted
again in Washington