The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1921-12-08
DISCUSSING FUTURE
CONFERENCE

DISCUSSING FUTURE
CONFERENCE
The suggestion of President Hard
/ ing that there be future conferences
has met with approval. Foreign
Minister Masanao Hanihara, of ia
pan, in approving Mr.. Harding's
statement said that his country has
come to the conference "in spirit
of candor, prepared to discuss all mat
tiers so that causes Of future mis-
understandings may be reduced to
minimum" While Japan has not
agreed to many of the proposals of
the conference, it's representatives
have been more heartily in accord with
the proceedings than it was thought
they would be. Japan's toes have
been stepped on rather hard, and
there is ground for hope because they
have not squealed very much. While
members of the conference have ap-
proved the Presidents suggestion,
notes of dissent are heard outside,
and the principal note of discord has
been sounded by Senator Borah, who
says that the continuing of the "as-
ISOLATION of nations would be the old
league CT nations under another
name" Borah has no use for such
organizations, and he maintains that
America should 'sgo it alone," and
remain free from what George
Washington called "entangling al
hances." If, however, we must
have arrangements for perpetual
peace with other nations, Mr.. Borah
says that he can "see no reason why
the 43 nations which have signed the
league should be asked to abandon
it and transfer their names to an as
ISOLATION of nations" Senator
Hitchcock, of Nebraska, who led the
fight for President Wilson and the
league of nations in the Senate,
purports to see inthe propose! of
President Harding the acceptance
of the league sort of rose. by an
other name. But the Republicans of
the Capital are quick to point out
that the association idea agrees with
the plank said to have been written
/ by Elihu Root in the last national
party platform. Mr. Root holds,
therefore, that talk about the Adj
ministration trying to enter the
league by the "back door route" is
rather far-fetched. Anyhow, all
agree upon one thing and that is
that good results are apt to come
from the process Of taking things
over before the fights begins.
WASHINGTON AS A
GREAT FORUM
Four great powers have postal
agencies in China, and if the sugges-
lions brought into the conferences
are carried out they will all retire
from the business of handling the
mails and turn the job over to the
Chinese. The general American
opinion that Cinnamon are useful
only as laundrymen has been effect
ually dispelled in Washington, where
the Chinese are putting up as strong
case as any group in the field. The
Chinese are not only pressing every
advantage before the conference,
where they are apparently giving
Japan the worst Of it, but there is
not day or night passes but what
some of their delegation addresses a
public gathering in the city, and these
meetings are attended by the most
representative citizens and officials In
the Capital. China's principal de-
mand is naturally for territorial in
dependence, and even Japan has
been gradually conceding to the in,
sistent demands. Not only do the
Chinese hold prominent place in
the center Of the stage, but the Cap
ital has been turned into a veritable
forum for the expression of the opin-
ion of the diplomats of the world. 1t
is not the custom in Washington for
every Tom, Dick and Harry to make
a public speech, and very few people
will waste their time on those who
butt into the speechmaking game in
that way. The formula calls for
action on the part of some recognized
organization-it may be Church,
Club, an association, or banquet or
dinner party which furnishes the oc-
casion. The point is that somebody
who is responsible in the Capital, must
act as sponsor for these meetings.
The opportunities for hearing the
biggest men of every nation are so
great in Washington during the con-
ference, that no one has time or pa
thence for the soapbox variety Of or
atory that counts in other cities.