The Washington herald., 1921-11-24
Then Came the Deluge.


mism. Every correspondent, every specialist.
everyone the Hill, practically all from whom
opinion would naturally be sought, had a prophecy
plore or less tnged with gloom. No one expected
much, most expected little, yet all expected
thing, just enough perhaps to get by and from
complete failure. The "pre" of the opening al
most deuge of doubt.
Now has come the reverse-a deluge OF opti-
mism. The most complete pessimists of them have
become the confirmed optimists. Those who
want failure, who are by nature, choice or profit
promoters OF preparedness and international
complications, overwhelmed. They cannot get
a hearing; one heeds them, listens to them or
gives them the least attention. They but
whistling gigs to milestones. Each days confer
ence developments put blocks of substance in the
rainbow of idearism.
Japan has definitely decided to be Of the inter
national family of the West All OF the rest hinged
on this. 1t has finally come with completeness
gratifying it, the whole is surprising. 1t has
come with whole-heartedness and sincerity that the
West must take at its face value Moreover, it has
not been explosion; it has symptom of inn
pulse 1t has been the result of delberation of de-
bate. Of opposition ending in uninimous decision.
As The Herald has said, Japan would be mighty
lonesome committed to the family of the East. She
has little in common with that part of the world
of possible origin, anS something of tradition
and religion, while her whole outlook is toward
and of the West.
OF the nations OF the conference Japan alone
has not been here. She has remained at Tokyo.
The pressure from here has been considerable and
may have been the balance of influence, but the de-
,isions have been from there. Her governing pow
have listened, weighed discussed and waited,
rot plunged. The naval limitation plan, was fol-
IS owed by China's decalogue and this by Mr.. Roots
Tour, making total OF fourteen" These were all
n such general terms to very much, or
sery little.
The great gain of the Root points is in the
act that they the agreed policy OF the eight
nations with Far East interests. They are an
bounced joint policy Heretofore the only Far
East policy to preserve the East, has been but
American acquesced in by others. Now all join in
making all that was included in the open door
combined agreement-China's integrity and inde-
1endence, promotion of stable government, equal
Iade opportunity and no concessions or special
privileges
But no sooner is this announced than the
.ables bring from Tokyo that sweeping announce
nent which The Herald predicted. Far East
policy is not to be fixed by others for Japan but
Japan fixes it for herself and all others. She takes
he initiative and moves from generalities to the
specific. She only accepts the s-5-3 naval pro-
gram, but consents to British annulment of their
Eeaty and a wholesale exodus from China and
Siberia
Briefly and concisely, in seven points-ust
one-half of fourteen-she covers both arms mita-
ion and Far East policy. They apt to be ac
.epted as conclusively with little revision as
Mr.. Hughes naval program. All but ''one two"
,f the twenty-one demands China abandoned
md all Chinese territory except Msrhuria which
,ould hardly have been considered Chinese since
IL ~
IN half of Saghsn Island Russian, but in
Japanese possession under double claims.
Seemingly this leaves but the three propositions
or further and specific negotiations The
one two" OF the twenty y-one demands and it is
specified which they are; Saghalin Island, and
ust what special rights privileges should be
granted in Manchuria. There can be little of rea-
,onabe objection to Japan having certain
ing rights in Manchura, sufficient to secure to her
IN assured perpetual supply of materials. This
lhould not extend to administrative control let
done Coreaizing that territory. But she has very
arge investments and large measure of control
here now, and the status quo with long leasing
,eriod as to certain factors may be the solution
In this involves defining lust what
china is both geographical entity and social
government. Fortunately it is not necessary to ne
,otiate with China to her disposal 1t is the
rranscendent diplomatic glory of this conference
nat the party with at interest in its nesota
ions and decisions has the least or indeed notbno
say to either She is the bound-boy at the bpsk
ng. She is here and that is all she has to do ,s
! the conference. Others will FIX her boundaries
md ultimately others, by diplomatic or economic
expression or both. with financial armament in
,ousl evidence. will have to FIX a government for
and maintain its permanence
Bat the conference from an expression of doubt
ias biossomed into bowling success 1t met AT
he psychological moment in the one psychologist,
pot and had as it's presiding genius man whose
gidity Of temperament, cooledged spirit of Justice
5carness Of vision, conciseness of expression and
infailing courtesy provides the leadership which
nave rounded the other factors into an almost
startling. success. 1t is the first OF its kind but its