The New York herald., 1921-03-15
HOPE TO AVOID BREAK
No Move on Foot Now to
Combine American Fleets
in Pacific Waters.
RACE ISSUE POSTPONED
Europe and Far East Both
Show Tendency to Ignore
This Country's Rights.
Special Despatch 10 THE New YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington. ID. C.. March Ia

Special Despatch 10 THE New York HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington. ID. G., March IA.
The Harding Administration Is hop
ing for a settlement of outstanding
problems with Japan.
The necessity OF bringing to head
all the differences between the two
countries as means of preventing the
continuation Of a situation which
might result seriously was made clear
to-day by the failure of the Interna-
tional Communications Congress to
come to an agreement over the distri-
button of the former German cables.
Failure to reach an agreement indi-
Gates that there is no disposition on
the part of the Allies and Japan to
yield to the contention of this Govern
ment that It's rights previous to the
peace are involved in this controversy,
or to meet in any degree the Anleri-
can position concerning the island OF
zap. 1t Is clear that the United States
will make of Yap test case whereby
termined
While ii IS held that the controversy
over Yap is between this country and
the allied European Powers, II IS clear
quickly by yielding It's claim to sole oc-
cupancy of the island. to exclusion OF
other Powers.
Hope to settle Peacefully.
Just az the Administrations clearly
announced intention Of adopting a Wig
orous foreign policy, which would pro-
tect the rights Of Americans the world
over was without truculency. so the at
titude toward Japan is without sugges-
ton of eventual hostility. II Is for the
purpose Of seeking complete amity in
the relations with Japan that a better
\ understanding with ehat country Is
sought.
Settlement Of general problems deal
ing with American and japanese partici-
patton in the development of the East
necessarily reverts to a decision concern
ing Yan. since II involves the well estab-
lished American doctrine of the open
door in China and an even and fair
and political development Of the East.
III can be said authoritatively that this
Government las not undertaken 10 com
binc the Atlantic and Pacific fleets In
the Pacific Ocean, a course that might
~ regarded as q direct threat against
Japan Neither Is II planns 10 estab-
ish bases of threatening strength at this
time IN Hawaii or elsewhere But plans
of the American Government are taking
into consideration all strategic possible
tics Of the future.
The situation in the Pacific demands 4
powerful feet aud 70 this programme
the Administration is committed with
the proviso Of approximate disarma-
ment' in the event an International
understanding can be reached on this
subject.
General plans in the Pacific will
probably await the return of Gen. Wood
with his report on the Philippines. These
plans will include strategic position OF
OF the fleet and establishment Of pro-
posed bases.
Beyond this there arc no definite plans
under consideration relative to the Pa
cific except the general one mentioned
Of procuring better working arrange
ment with the Japanese Government as
quickly as possible.
Race Question Must Wait.
Until the outstanding difficulty over
Yap can be arranged II Is unlikely the
new Administration will give any con-
siderat'on 10 the understanding on i'm
migration reached by Ambassadors Nor
ris for the United States and Shidehara
FOR Japan. That understanding, Il Is
understood. explicitly conferred upon
japanese III this country the same civil
rights enjoyed by nationals Of other
countries. IL aimed to meet the diff
Guilty presented by the passage OF the
California anti-Jap land law. Mean
time similar law has been passed by
the State of Washington, and the Secre-
tary of State has been Informed IL rep
resents the overwhelming sentiment OF
the people Of that State.
The necessity of disposing OF the
question Of Yap before negotiating the
immigration question increases the
necessity OF 2 prompt adjustment Of
American relations with Europe. a hint
Of the Importance Of making the Euro
pean settlement reasonably soon Is as-
sumed 10 have been conveyed to the
allied Powers In the date fixed for the
convpning OF the extra session. April IL.