The Washington herald., 1921-09-20

from the strict construction of Washington s
farewell address and the advice of Thomas
Jefferson that all its supporters of diverse political
opinions agree that this government cannot ignore
the Far East No one disputes that agreement with
Japan to joint Far East policy is essential to
peace and economic well being. No objection
has been raised a settlement that will take the
form treaty not alone to confirm the open door
policy but put it in operation. if European
crnmentS included in this.
OF course the Far East is not Europe. As to
Europe, we must stick close to Washington and
Jefferson. We can have entangling alliances
with any European countries to Europe. This
government must not mix in any way with them in
their affairs unless perhaps to get full share of the
economic benefits resulting from the last But
European policies ior Europe to decide and
European politics must be anathema to this country
1t is all too bad mess to admit OF ap-
proaching it in advisory way.
Yet, strange though it may be, the United States
has no hesitancy in asking Europe to join in set
Ting an Asiatic policy primarily concerning this
country and Japan. Europe may mix in our affairs
to a treaty, but not we, in theirs. No one
anything incongruous in this. Great Britain
France, Italy and maybe Holland and Belgium, will
lit in at the Washington conference in effort
which is simply TO bring a cordial, definite under
sanding with Japan Italy has practically no in
tereStS IN the Far East, neither has Belgium, whie
French interests but small.
This government however is not in ignorance
OF mutual relations OF these governments with
each other their rivarics, their clashes and agree
ncnts and how these reach to all the OF the
world No one is blind as to how these may obtrude
u the conference table where 1t may take all OF
Secretary Hughes generalship to confinc matters
10 the Pacific Ocean. The attitude of France to
Great Britain, OF Italy to both. and to Greece, that
Great Britain always thinks in terms OF India,
France and Belgium OF Germany, Italy OF the lands
she covets, which are now held by Greece and the
Slavs. and that jcalousies and ambitions always
rndercurrent powers is known to all who read.
Seli-preservation is the first law OF nations as
v individuals and if sefintcrest does not rule the
world, it at least takes precedence the other
fellows interests. Back OF the scenes and the
,idelines, the greatest influence is apt to be what
each one can get for itself in exchange for favor
as to the immediate question at issue. Can the most
he secured from the United States or from Japan if
they clash or take opposing or even differing po-
sitions? Which will be the rcadicst 10 trade and
offer the most Or will favor elsewhere for an un
related object decide a vo.e2
The United States must not deal with Europe
apan has no such inhibition. The United States
IS not of the league OF nations and will not be.
Japan is and her vote and influence may be OF
slant, recurring value there to all the others at
the conference who are also of that association
where they settle their differences with which we
70 not meddlc. They all in the international
court OF justice, not. We invite them in.
They come. They invite us. We stay at home.
We the Pacific and they go with us But not
so the Atlantic. then would so. not with, but
o them.
MI OF which but points the moral that what
comes out Of this conference will depend mainly
upon public opinion in the countries represented 1t
IS said there is such thing international
public opinion. This must not only come from this
Conference in definite form. but it must be decid-
ng factor. Left to themselves, with such unity
OF pressure to force agreement there is danger the
difference may become a bargain counter for mat
ers wholly outside its agends, and far from the
Far East as is the Near East and Europe. In this
the United States lead with the single
nsistence that ways can and be found to do
What it called to do, and not to find or
easons for the not doing, in which diplomacy is |
prolific. Otherwise. it may do very much for which
I was not called, and very little to the actual
subjects the program.