The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-12-03
HUGHES FACES
ALLIANCE THAT.
BROKE WILSON

BY PROF. TARAKNATH DAs,
international Secretary. Friends Of
Freedom for India.
It is almost certain. unless some
thing unexpected happens. that China
will be sacrificed in the conference
by American consent to please Britain
and Japan. Mr.. Hughes Is practically
committed to support Japan and Brit
ain, as Mr.. Wilson did at Paris. Mr..
Hughes position IL vary peculiar and
either he must bring sbout q compro-
mise on the Chinese situation or the
conference will be broken up.
Mr.. Hughes Is a sincere friend OF
China, and he really meant to help
China, but he has been caught In a
trap from which he seems unable to
extricate himself. He has become a vic
tim of the secret diplomacy. He can
save himself and help China only II
the facts be shown to the American
people.
Japan Gets British Support.
The first act Of the Japanese dele
cation after the Hughes proposals
were made public was a consultation
with the British delegation. In that
consultation Japan received pledge OF
formal support of the British. After
the Chinese proposals of ten points
were made 1t was secretly agreed upon
that Britain would not accept the
proposals in toto. Mr.. Root and Bal.
four in conference agreed that the
Chimes proposals be changed into
four inoffensive principles which will
be vague enough to mean anything.
on condition that Mr.. Balfour would
support the American proposition Of
the 5-5-3 navy ratio.
Mr.. Balfour agreed TO that.
Japan understood the game and
dickered through Balfour that Japan
would accept the 5-5-3 proposition in
return for British support in the con-
ference and II the Snantung question
be not brought up In the conference.
Mr.. Balfour favored that position. be-
cause bringing up the Shantung ques-
ton might open up such unpleasant
questions as Tibet and other things
the British do not wish discussed. so
Mr.. Balfour Suggest ed to the Ameri.
can delegation that Mr.. Hughes should
approach the Chinese delegation with
a suggestion that the Shantung ques-
ton be decided through direct nego-
tation between Japan and China.
SndntunS n fItiau-
The Shantung question has beer.
brought to the front just about the
time the French are much disposed
to leave the conference because of the |
British attitude of opposition TO every. |
thing French and because OF the Brit
ish suggestion OF inviting Germany to
the conference. Mr.. Hughes Is in a
peculiar position. He knows japan
will not accept the 5-5-3 naval ratio
and all the things asked OF Japan re-
garding China. Britain does not want
to see Japan too strung In the Pacific.
80 she Is willing to support America
on the 5-5-3 proposition. IL America
does not press the Chinese question
too strongly, so far as Japan is con-
cerned.
Thus the situation is simply this:
Britain cannot give up the Anglo
japanese alliance because OF the SIT
uation in Asia, the growing hostility
between France and England, the
Franco-Italian accord regarding Tur-
key, and the growing spirit OF revolt
in India. Britain needs a check on
Japan, too, and also needs American
aid in her present financial position.
She also needs something 10 allay sus-
picion of the American public against
the Anglo-Japanese alliance. Britain
must pay Win Japan ana AfneFlCa
until Lloyd George gets here TO pre-
sent TO the American people an Anglo
AmericanJapanese alliance as al
Christmas gift.
Balfour and Root Work Together.
Mr.. Balfour is working hard in col
Elaboration with Mr.. Root. who, after
all, represents the Morgan interests,
the financial agent of his Britannia
majesty in this great republic. China
must pay for all this. There must be
international control Of China and
this must be done in the Washington
conference, so that there will be an
end of the increasing American in
fluence in Chinese affairs which is
hurting the British interest so much.
Britain does not mind Japan In China
because she will be able to play China
against Japan, but she is not sure OF
America. She wants to see Mr.. |
Hughes do the same thing against
China that Mr.. Wilson did in Paris
and then all glory to the diplomacy