The Mena weekly star., 1921-12-08
CONSORT|UN MAY
 REPLACE ALLIANCE
Great Britain and Japan Believed Ready to Abrogate Present Pact Include Five Great Powers
 Conference in Recess.

Washington, Dec. 5.-Extension of the Chinese consortium or it's devel- opment into more comprehensive agreement was suggested tonight by unofficial Japanese as suitable and practical substitute for the Anglo Japanese alliance. Mutual abrogation of that convention by Japan and Great Britain is viewed as one of the possi- bilities of the present conference.
 As put forward today, the sugges- ton is that the consortium be devel- oped or merged into general politi- cal agreement among the four or five great powers. The idea is based on the contention that any definite poli- tical agreement as to the Far East, including especially China, must in the period of world reconstruction give way or be built upon economic fundamentals.
 In other words, it is contended that keen economic rivalries affect politi- cal stability, and are liable to create friction and serious disputes, necessi- tating conciliatory conferences of the contending parties from time to time. This, it is pointed out, coincides with President Hardings suggestion for continued conferences, and may form the basis of practical inter-under. standing.
 All to Aid China.
 The Chinese four powers consortium of October 15, 1920, specifically de- clares that the Chinese people can best be served by cooperative action in procuring for the Chinese govern ment the capital necessary for pro- gram of economic reconstruction and improved communications. 1t is re- marked that particular political importance attaches to the agreement, because the powers were able to make fairly definite arrangements with Japan concerning the so-called "spe- cial interests" of Japan in South Man. churia and Eastern Inner Mongolia The arrangement was concluded after a visit to Japan of Thomas w. La mo HA. representing the American gro &B)f bankers, who succeeded in the withdrawal of the Jap anese objection to the inclusion of Manchuria and Mongolia in the scope of the consortium.
 It was said at the time that frank exchanges led to a full appreciation by the American, British and French of Japan's purpose in merely having a guarantee of the se- curity of her national defense and her economic existence. The Japan ese government issued an announce ment that the above governments ex- pressly declared that they not only no activities inimical to the vital interests of Japan, but that they were ready to give general as- surance which would be deemed sui ficient to safeguard those interests.
 Japs' Reservation.
 Declaration by Japanese delegates Friday that Japan had no intention of relinquishing her holdings in the province of Kwang Tung has been interpreted in some quarters as official notice that Japan intends to hold fast to all her "legitimately ac- quired" interests in Manchuria and Vice Foreign Minister who announced the Kwang Tung policy, added this sentence, which has attracted attention in poli- | tical circles as perhaps indicating 1 Japan's position on any future politi- 1 ,al arrangement.
 "The territory in question forms | part of Manchuria-a region where, by reason of its close propinquity to l Japan's territory more than anything | else, she has vital interests in that | which relates to her economic life and | safety"
 The arms conference is in recess un- il Wednesday, but for most of the delegates there is no rest from the in- prominent informal con- ,l1ltafinnsv nf small orn1ns