Omaha daily bee., 1921-07-17
United States
Seeks to Allay
Japanese Fears
Administration Is Attempting
To Convince Oriental Gov.
ernment 1t Will Not Be at
Disadvantage in Meeting.


Washington, July lo.-The Wash
ington administration is seeking tc
convince Japan that it will not be
placed at any disadvantage in the
Forthcoming conference on limita-
ton OF ornaments and far easten
problems.
President Harding believes that
Japan will eventually decide to par
ticipate in both branches of the pro-
posed conference and will agree to
discuss Pacific and eastern questions
with the otller powers invited, as
we'll as the issues of reducing arma-
mcnts.
Friday the cabinet considered
Japan's response to the presidents
invitation, which was a cordial ac-
eeptance of the proposal to discuss
armaments, but failed to agree to the
second proposal that the interna-
tional issues, which make present
day expensive ornaments necessary
10 be considered with a view to
general adjustment.
Following the cabinet meeting. It
was learned that exchanges are now
IN progress between the United
States and Japan with reference to
Japan's implied objection to partici-
pating in discussion of the far east
ern and Pacific questions. Japan's
position, however, has occasioned no
delay in plans for the conference and
the president expects to issue the
formal call i'll the near future.
Every Phase Considered.
Every aspect Of the presidents
proposal Of conference Of the FIVE
principal allied and associated powers
and China, was considered at today's
session. with particular reference to
the attitude Of Japan, and indications
that certain unlimited nations hav-
ing interests in the far east would
like to participate.
There was general felicitation that
the conference was assured, in spite
OF the obstacle apparently raised by
Japan's position.
Publicly, administration officials
made no criticism, taking the view
that the Japanese government was
entirely within its right in seeking
to ascertain the range of subjects
that would be considered under the
heading of far eastern and Pacific
questions. 1t is understood that the
United States government has in
formed japan that as it is only one
Of the participating powers, it can
not undertake to define the limits
Of the conference procedure. That
determination, according to the
governments position, must be left
to the participating governments
when they meet in Washington. 81
No Objection Raised.
No objection exists on the part Of
this government to diplomatic ex-
changes prior to the conference with
a view to agreeing in a tentative
way upon an agenda for the confer
cnce. 1t contends that there is moth
ing incompatible between the views
OF the United States government and
the desire of the Japanese govern
ment to ascertain the probable ma
ture and scope of the conference and
that in the ordinary course of events
these will be worked out by the pow
ers before the conference convenes
formally, or by the conference it
self
Japan's position is being made
clearer in news dispatches from
Toxic, where it is evident the fear
exists that Japan will find itself
confronting bloc of European
powers and America whose attitude
will be to the detriment OF meas
ures Japan has taken to strengthen
her hold on China and the far east
The inclusion of China in the list Of
nations asked to participate in the
resolution of the far eastern ques-
tions is not pleasing to Japan and
suspicion is apparent in Toxic that
France and Italy were invited to at
tend theseonferencel in order to
strengthen the case that the United
States will present with reference to
problems affecting the Orient and the
future control of the Pacific ocean.
President Harding still clings to
the opinion that armistice day, No
vember II, will be the most suitable
date for the opening session of the
conference and it is supposed that
his suggestion will be advanced to
the participating governments in the
nre1iunin,rv ronvocafions