Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-07-20
JAPS ARE: REASSURED
ON PARLEY PROGRAM
May Decline to Discuss Any
Topic Presented, is Hughes
View.

i Washington. July 20.--In Informal
diplomatic exchanges preliminary 10
| the Pacific conference to take place
in Washington, the United States Gov
ernment has indicated to Japan that
the Japanese Government will be fully
protected in its sovereign right to dis
cuss or TO decline to discuss any
question that may be brought before
the conference.
| This means that there Is to be no
danger to Japan's interests in her en-
trance into the conference without d
definite determination in advance thai
only certain questions shall be COM
sidered. BY leaving the conference it,
self to determine what shall be con-
sidered. each nation will he free 10
bring forward subjects which IL re-
CARDS as of importance to the interests
of the world, while at the same time
free to say that 1t does not care to dis
cuss any topic proposed for discussion
That is the position assumed BY the
United States with reference to the im-
piled objection OF Japan to be a party
to the discussion OF Far Eastern and
Pacific problems unless the scope and
tiataAltA vi Afial it1ltE6 Ni the CONFER
enee are definitely outlined In advance.
Should the nations invited feel that
there ought 10 be some program OF
subjects outlined prior to the formal
meeting the United States will not OBJ
ject, but 1t is apparent that this Gov
lernment wishes to leave the conference
free TO take up any questions that
may arise naturally as the conferenc,
proceeds.
Conversations are proceeding be
tween Secretary Hughes and Baron
Shidehara. the Japanese Ambassador
In which the views of his Government
with reference TO an advance agenda
OF the conference have been outlined
The State Department is communicate
ing the results Of these converse tfons
to the other Governments asked to
participate in the Washington gather
ing. The whole attitude of the United
States. as developed in these converse.
tions and such othef4 exchanges as
have taken place. is entirely friendly
to the Japanese effort TO obtain infor-
nation as to the scope and characts,
of the conferences. There is not a.,
slightest disposition on the part of tn.
United States question Japans righ
to make inquiries as To the matter.
that may be brought up. or 10 imnA
that japan is not acting in the fuIIosl
good faith.
2-Japs Reassurcd.
The outcome OF the present inter-
change Of views produced by Japanf
acceptance of only THAI part ot
the
the limitation of armaments will de-
pend primarily. it is believed here, on
the expression of public opinion in
Japan. Some of the press dispatches
from Toxic have given the impression
that Japan is not disposed to adhere
tenaciously to her implied hesitation to
enter the conference until the topics
have been limited by mutual arrange
ment. This has produced a hopeful feel
ing in Washington that Japan will ultI-
mately accept the invitation to discuss
Pacific and Far Eastern questions
without qualification.
To create a favorable atmosphere for
the conference sthe ardent desire of
President Harding and his advisers
They believe that there is such an at
mosphere throughout the world with
respect TO the part which the conference
VIII play in seeking an agreement for
the Limitation OF arrnanlents As far as
the United States is concerned they be-
iieve that the atmosphere is entirely
favorable TO ali the objects which the
President wishes TO achieve. the pri-
mary object being the removal Of causes
in the Pacific and the Far East that
tend to disturb the worlds peace.