The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-07-14
JAPAN CAUTIOUS
Reply to Harding Asks If Re.
garded as an Equal
Means Immigration Question
May Be Revived.
DISTRUST NOW EXPRESSED
Toxic Uncertain as to Motive of
Washington Farley.
Shantung Question May Also
Be Forced at Conference.
DISTRUST now EXPRESSED

Toxic, July 14.-It was learned to-
day from an authoritative source that
Japan's first note in reply to Presi-
dent Harding's invitation to join in a
disarmament conference while accept
ing, will be in the nature of an inquiry
as to whether Japan, in entering the
conference, will be considered as an
equal of the nations.
This was taken to indicate that the
question of immigration will come to
the forefront in the conference. The
opinions expressed by government Of
ficers generally was summed up by
one man who said:
May Force Old Question.
Japan, while disliking to re-intro-
duce the immigration question, this
conference may force it. The fact now
is. that japanese citizens are every
where excluded. Why not apply the
same principle towards America? If
all nations are to enter the conference
as equal conference, Japan will doubt
less join, but she has the right first to
understand the problems that will
come up and the first of these must be
the immigration problem"
General distrust of the motives of
the conference is expressed in some
quarters here, due to the invitation to
China to participate. This has had
an unpleasant reaction due to the be-
lief that it means the Shantung ques-
ton will be reviewed by the confer
ence. Japan unquestionably does not
want this to come about because China,
has stoutly refused to treat on the
issue directly with Japan.
Opposition in other quarters springs
from what an increasingly large num-
Der of public men term the meddling
of America in the affairs of the
Orient"
Japan is moving slowly and with
caution regarding President Harding s
invitation to an international confer
ence for discussion of disarmament
and Far East questions.
Edward Bell, American charge
d'affaires, held a conference of an
hour today with Count Uchida, the
Japanese foreign secretary, but the
details of their conversation were not
disclosed.
The newspapers Yomiuri and Azahia
in commenting upon President Hard
ing's formal offer to Japan. said Of
ficia1s would take their time in dis
cussing it before making formal reply.
Japan is going slowly" said the
Yomiuri. "She wishes to know the
scope of the conference and also the
guarantees that would be expected"
The Azahia quoted an unnamed
naval officer as saying: Japan
doubtIessly is ready to join such a
group of powers, but not until there
has been preliminary discussion"
China Important Factor.
The Yomiuri takes the attitude that
China will be an important factor and
declares the government should un-
derstand Chinas part before she re-
turns an answer to the invitation.
Leaders of the Sci Yakai, the Gomi-
nant political party in Japan, warn
the Japanese people against "madly
praising the American president with
out first learning what his intentions
really are"
Political leaders supporting the Hara
administration declare Japan mus
find out what benefits she would Sc
cure from the conference before she
enters it.