The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-07-25
Receives g. s. Answer Concern.
ing Disarmament Meet.
Formal Acceptance of Nip.
ponese Government Expected.
FRANCE WANTS ALLIANCE?
May Ask Ratification Anglo.
Franco-American League.
Paris Anxious to DemObilize,
But Fears Invasion.

Toxic, July 25.-America's reply to
Japan's inqriry regarding the agenda
of the Far East conference is in the
hands of the Japanese foreign office
today. 1t was transmitted to the for
eign office on Sunday by Edward Bells
the American charge d'affaires.
The opinion is prevailing today that
Japan win formally announce her ac-
ceptance of President Harding's tnvt-
tation within a few days.
Washington. July 25.-A complete
statement of the attitude of the
United States with regard to the scope
of the proposed disarmament con-
ference has been communicated to
Japan by Secretary of State Hughes,
it was announced at the state depart
meEt today.
The communication was in reply to
the inquiry of Japan with regard to
the scope of the conference, and was
handed to the Japanese government
/ by American Charge Bell at Toxic.
French Want Alliance.
Washington, July 25.-French rep
resentatives at the forthcoming con-
ference on armaments to be held here
in the fall are likely to propose rati-
fication of the o-Franco-Ameri-
can defensive alliance as condition
to the reduction of Frances local
on high authority today.
| Overtures already have been made
! to Italy, it is stated, with view to
ascertaining whether the italian gov
ernment would be willing to- support
/ the French on such a program in the
! conference In exchange. Fr n =
would be prepared to second the Ital-
ians in presenting certain matters in
, which they have q particular interest.
Tho the French people would well
I 1m.er e. ~
them of the enormous burden OF taxa
ton resulting from the maintenance
of an army of from 100000 to zoo, 600,
the French government. thru fear OF
I Germany, Is unwilling 10 demoDnlze
their force until substantial guaran-
tees are given against possible attack.
Under the terms of the alliance,
drawn up at Paris. the United States
4 and Great Britain agreed to come 10
the assistance of France In case OF
aggression.
j U. S. Would Not Ratify2
4 While the administration is well
aware of the difficult position in which
France is placed as a result of her re-
lation to the problem of German rep
arations and also because of the tradi-
tionaI fear of the French people OF
another invasion, it is regarded as un-
likely the senate would ratify such an
alliance If the administration could be
/ The administration has made 1t
plain that the Washington conference
is not to be a disarmament conference
in the proper sense of the word, but a
conference looking to a reduction in
armem President Harding and
Secretary Hughes are fully alive TO the
limpracticability of total disarmament
at this time, recognizing that no mat
ter how eager the powers may be for
disarmament, it will be necessary to
maintain considerable military estab-
lishments for the proper policing of
the world. Just how these police con-
| tingents shall be apportioned among
the several powers is a matter which
can be decided only by the conference.
! London Discusses Situation,
London, July 25.-The government
is not yet able to name it's represen-
tative to the disarmament and Far
East conference at Washington, Pre-
mier Lloyd George said in the house
of commons today in reply to ques-
ton.
Premier Lloyd George and the Brit
ish dominion premiers this afternoon
discussed the policy of. the British
empire toward the Washington con-
ference.
The British foreign office is renew
ing its pressure on Washington for a
preliminary conference for the am
bassadors of the Pacific powers in
London to discuss Far Eastern prob
lens, it was learned this afternoon.
Great Britain wishes the British
dominion premiers to have representa-
tion in the meeting of the ambassa-
doris IL 1t can be arranged.
1t is understood that new COM
munication has been sent to WASH
ington.
Earlier in the day. it had been re-
ported that Washington had rejected
the proposal for a preliminary confer
ence.