Evening star., 1921-12-08
EYESHERE TURNED
ON 4-P0WER PACT
Outlook for. Understanding
Between China and Japan
Is Propitious.
MANY POINTS SUBMITTED
Acquiescence in Naval Cut Expect
ed to Follow Far East
Agreement.
BY N. o. MESSENGER.

1oudy mas all Omcldl, congress
sional and political Washington
deeply interested in the probable
form and scope of the forthcoming
agreement among the powers to con-
serve peace in the far east Com
mingled with this interest are emo
tions Of congratulation ever the IA
vorable trend of all phases of the
arms conference, basis for which is
furnished by assurances from high
administration quarters that all is
going well.
Likewise propitious appears the
outlook for an understanding being
reached between Japan and China
in the Conversations" proceeding be-
tween the representatives of the two
nations.
Leaders Continue Exchanges.
Three eminent figures in the con-
ference, Mr.. Balfour, Admiral Baron
kato and Secretary Hughes, are con-
tinuing their exchanges in behalf of
the whole conference. to bring the
negotiations to a point where the
public can be apprised of the terms
agreed upon.
Secrecy is being maintained only
to the degree recognized as necessary
and proper during the formative
stage. Many points have to be sub
mitted to the home governments by
the foreign envoys but the intima-
tions are that an agreement is rapidly
approaching.
To what extent the expected agree
ment may be entwined with the ac-
ceptance by Japan of the naval ratio
proposed by America is not at this
time disclosed, but the prevailing
thought is that acquiescence by Japan
in the American naval program will
follow or attend the concurrence in
the larger undertaking. of insuring
peace in the far east.
Drift Toward Accomplishment.
1t was pointed out today that the
drift of the negotiations at this time
| is in the direction Of accomplishing
the object of the conference. namely
composition of the far east situation
/ to a degree that will eliminate the
necessity OF maintenance Of heavy
naval armament.
If the powers can by some under
standing assure that critical far east
problems arising in the future will
be settled without resortto war. it is
argued that the erection of the struc-
ture of such an understanding is a
i Legitimate object for the considera-
ton Of the conference at this stage.
The main concern in political cir
cles is that the interjection of the
suggested uniting of the powers into
, the arms conference may not hinder
the accomplishment of the arms limi-
tation object of this great meeting,
and at the same time it is readily ap-
preciated that. presented in certain
aspects, it may promote and secure
such effectuation.
VIII Supersede Alliance.
AS far as the public is permitted to
comprehend the suggestion of the
uniting of the powers in some kind
of an understanding, it is designed to
supersede the. Anglo-Japanese AL
lance. now expected to be allowed to
! languish.
Japan's attitude toward suggesting
REIMBURSEMENT of the alliance is un-
derstood to be based on a desire to
guard against being placed in a posi-
| ton to disadvantage through les
sened naval ratio and deprived of the
support of Great Britain at the same
| time.
Given, assurance that no combina-
ton of nations would be formed
against her, it might be regarded as
compensation for agreeing to the
naval reduction and to giving up the
alliance.
1t is thought that Japan, even with
these reassurances, will ask that one
States agree to forbear from erecting
| fortifications in the Pacific which
Japan regards as menacing.
DifRculties Here Understood.
| Domestic political conditions, under.
! stood by all, and the existence of a
powerful sentiment in this country on
1 the subject of foreign alliances. ad-
! monish the necessity of proceeding
with great care in the presentation
/; of the form of the international
agreement.
The four men. two of them senators
/ and the third an ex-senator. with the
| fourth equally alert, who make up
! the American delegation, know these
conditions thoroughly. All of them
appreciate the necessity of it's being
acceptable to the Senate. should il
| be in treaty form.
! European delegates are said to un.
derstand the circumstances surround
| ing the American delegations posi-
ton and are equally solicitous that il
| a plan for an agreement among the
powers is presented 1t will be of a
poture to insure reasonable expecta.
ton of it's being adopted by the
| Senate.