The Washington herald., 1921-07-29
Japan Accepts.

Japan has formally stated that she will accept
the invitation OF this government to join in
- the disarmament conference. The acceptance is
qualified only by the understanding that program
shall be agreed upon after the formal invitations
arc issued and prior to the conference an arrange
ment suggested by Secretary Hughes and pre-
1iminary essential to avoidance of delays and the
regularity of procedure
=. .Jt is unnecessary to attempt to read anything
6eewecn the lines of the reply of Japan, to
hrxyne anything withheld in the offing. The
Japanese note is entirely frank diplomatic ex-
changes expressed, and should be accepted at
its face value as wholly sincere. What Japan will
seek reserve is entirely clear. She does not hide
it under a buShel But such reservations will be
subject to the action OF the conference members
a body not as condition precedent and not the
decision of Japan alone. She recognizes what has
bten-the contention of The Herald from long prior
he-adoption of the Borah resolution when she says
The proposition of the American govern
mcnt-to discuss the Pacific and Far Eastern
problems is based on the close bearing they have
the question of the limitation of ornaments
Mich is the original and principal aim of the
%Ranierence, and that therefore the main object
OF discussing these problems is to reach a COM
understanding in regard to general prin-
cipes and policies in the Pacific and the Far
East.
That Japan will protest the consideration of
In arranging the program she says the 'introduc-
ton therein of problems such of sole
to certain particular powers such matters that
may be regarded accomplished facts should be
scrupulously avoided" This seemingly, if conceded,
would also bar the question of race equality which
is no other than immigration, and which concerns
only. Certain particular powers"
The separation of the problems into classes
msy also, by her own statement, exclude Shantung
and Yap from those of sole concern to particular
powers" which would be important concession
and leave their consideration in the conference to
the judgment of the members to whether not
they regarded accomplished facts" This
will not be conceded by the United States since
this government does not, and never has in any
way recognized these questions. To do so would
but, be revival of exactly the policy which the
conference must refuse to accept.
Japan took Shantung from Germany with the
avowed purpose OF returning it to China. This was
the sole and only possible for sending
through the territory of China, then a neutral and
over her protest to attack from the rear and for
not leaving to China the recovery of her prop
erty- Moreover, Shantung was held by Germany
under lease whose terms forbade its transfer. No
one. can well rightfully claim property seized by
forcc under such conditions. The United States has
never recognized the transfer nor that of Yap Sc
cured under war partnership and transferred by
her partners against the protest OF this government
.-H is also intimatcd by press reports that Japan
viii, propose total disarmament in the Pacific and
thc Instruction OF all Notifications If she will in
:, eludc those on her mainland, this government
s-saaE not object this would make a Great Lake:
spl thc Pacific. But otherwise this would be a
Jugshandle, as she has possessions in the Pacific
save the former German islands, and is but few
hours sail from the Philippines. Under such con.
titions the taking of these and Guam would be
1iiseStaking candy from the baby
t<r>Rut Japan's reply is entirely frank, as is tn,
!. kfPgn position of the United States. There j:
y1rethng new in any of these problems They are
exactly OF those which must be settled before dis
armament will be than pretense and As for
the people OF the United States, they would gladly
sec the condition on northern boundary dupIi
Gated on the total shoreline OF the Pacific