The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1921-07-19
JAPAN TO HAVE SAY
in ARMS PROGRAMME
u. s. Makes 1t Clear This
Country Is Not Trying to
Dictate Topics.
PUT UP TO PARTICIPANTS
Believed Nippon Cannot Delay
Her Complete Acceptance
Much Longer.
PUT UP TO PARTICIPANTS
;pec,oI Despatch TO THE New YoHK HERALD
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington, ID. c., July Is.

New York Herald Bureau.
Washington, ID. O.. July IL.
Japan has been informed by the
United States that the topics for dis
cussion at the conference on limitation
of ornaments and Far Eastern ques-
tions are to be selected by the par
Elephants, Japan having as much to
say on this score as any of the other
nations invited by President Harding
to send delegates.
1t was clearly explained at the State
Department to-day that this country
Is not making the rules for the confer
ence nor attempting to fix the pro-
gramme beyond the general scope out
lined in the Presidents invitation.
1t is expected the questions to be
brought before the conference will be
agreed upon in advance by diplomatic
exchanges. A formal agenda may be
prepared to which all participants will
subscribe. Any matter which Japan
may wish to bring before the gather
ing, or to exclude. may be made the
subject of a specific suggestion to the
other Powers prior to the meeting and
her arguments in support of her posi-
ton will be given due weight.
II Is not believed In official circles
here that Japan can delay her COM
p,ete acceptance OF the Presidents In
vitation much longer. The United
States. in addition to the foregoing
explanation, has taken the position
that the conference is not to be binding
upon any participating nation unless
its decisions are approved by the Leg
isIature or proper governmental authori-
ties Of that nation.
Agreement by any nation to discuss
particular question does not mean that
the nation so agreeing will be bound to
accept the finding OF the conference on
that subject. 1t may later approve or
reject the decision. The sovereignty
OF each nation Is to be fully protected.
The supergovernment principle involved
in the League ca Nations Is to be care
fully avoided.
What is accomplished at the confer
ence will be the result of mutual agree
ment or common understanding. Moral
force only will be behind the de-
cisions.
Another important milestone in the
progress OF the Harding Adminlstra-
TONS foreign policy has been passed.
IL was officially stated to-day that nego-
tiations between the United States and
the present allied Powers have been
begun for the purpose OF agreeing finally
unon the mandates under the Versailles
treaty which never have received the
approval OF the United States. The
openinr OF these negotiations is a recog-
milton by the other Powers that the
United states as a participant In the
victory over Germany must be con-
suited In disposing of the conquered ter
ritories. even II IL is not signatory
to the treaty.
specinc objection has been made TO
the British plan Of administering Meso-
potamia The United States IN insistent
that the principle OF the open door" be
applied 10 Mesopotamia and THAI British
nationals receive no greater rights In
developing oil concessions there than the
nationals of the United States or other
countries.
The United States ls demanding also
that the island of zap be International
lied because OF its Importance az n cable
station instead OF being given over ex-
cIuslvely to Japan. It's Importance lies
in the fact that Il Is on the line OF com
munication between the United States
and the Philippines and. II fortified by
Japan. always would be menace to this
interests in the East.
The other mandates. such as those for
the German colonies in Africa and all
the former German islands In the North
and South Pacific. must also be approved
by the United States but no objection IL
likely 10 be raised to any Of them.