The Washington herald., 1921-08-21


logical and inevitable line OF American expansion and
that in the nature of things shall more and more
completely dominate that commercially A balance
between the Japanese and American strengths that
whole Far Eastern region is then in accordance
with British tradition than the supremacy of one
power or another Thus we have to expect along
with British support for main purposes the ap-
pearance Of British sympathy and interest for Japanese
proposals from time to time.
British Seek Alliance.
M OREOVER, it is essential to perceive that the
wi British have not yet fully decided what Amer
lean policy is to be with respect to themselves.
Earnestly and eagerly they working to procure
Anglo-A American alliance. however it may be named.
Honestly and ~wholehearedy they seeking to
avoid the possibility OF an Anglo American conflict in
the future But American policy has far remained
enigmatic from the British standpoint. We have
undertaken to build fleet which for the first time in
centuries carries with it challenge in strength not
in purpose to the British On the whole policy is
marked by extreme tenderness for British interests
and certain large sections Of public opinion.
notably the Irish and the German, is Overwhelmingly
ant-British.
If one could conceive that Anglo British con-
fict were possible in future immediate or remote
it would be equally plain that in such conflict Japan
would be able to play important if not decisive
role. But If the British had not alone alienaed Japan
permitted the United States to become the dominant
force in China, Japan could not and would not be
available the day of battle between England and
the United States. And British policy however
friendly, will never in my Judgment overlook the
possibility that, by American action between the
two countries might occur.
Alter all we and the British today the great
rivals all over the word-in sense we are the only
remaining great powers Financially, while our
tho Pritis WO
are the only powers which hSve survived the strain
of the world war with anything approaching stability
British and American merchant marines competing
with acrmony everywhere the discussions over MeSo-
potamian oil give fair index OF the feeling existing
between the two countries in international business
politics AS debtor for vast sums the British are
handicapped in their present situation as they have
never been handicapped by foreign debts i'll the past
Proposals Are Sincere
NOV | do not think any sensible person will
~ question the sincerity OF the British proposals
for an Anglo-American association; self-inercst and
sentiment here combine and | think there is vastly
more pro-Amercan sentiment in Britain than pro-
British sentiment in the United States. But we are
dealing with question in which nation can afford
to permit sentiment to enter and of all nations the
British are most distinguished by their ability to
exclude sentiment from the conduct OF their foreign
affairs.
Stripped of all details the conference OF Wash
ington is less than an effort OIL our part
to secure the support of Europe for policies in
the Pacific Those policies not in intent or in
superficial appearance selfish. Rather they are the
reverse since seeking establish equality Of
opportunity in the Far East and remove special
privileges. Further than this seeking to pro-
tcct China from foreign domination and restore her
territorial unity But in reality purposes should
prevail Japan would be deprived of dominating
position built up by three successful and a
generation of patient effort and OF skilul diplomacy
Moreover, a second consequence would be that
should dominate the Pacific commercially. This
would be the result of success for open door"
policy. Again, ! say doubt if the of Amer
lean people think of the policy which sounds and
appears the of unselhshness in reality best