Evening star., 1921-08-04
D!SSARM|NG;;P !S |!
STARTS ...h|0i. L
Authorities Await Foreign
Acknowledgement Path: :,
Clear for Frank Discussion.
JAPANESE QUESTION sTIRS
Island of Yap Is Of Great Inter
est in Coming Con-
ference.

Great Britain's willingness to ac-
cept any date the Washington admin
istration might desire for the open
ing of the forthcoming disarmament
conference has led to the definite
suggestion of November 11-Armistice
day-of this year as an appropriate
occasion. The matter has been tne
subject of informal conversations
and, while no formal announcement
was available at the State Depart
ment today, it was learned that once
assured of British acquiescence'
American officials put the original
suggestion of Armistice day into
definite form for all the invited pow
ers and await acknowledgment from
abroad.
Officials would not indicate today
just how much progress has been
made in the interchanges OF OPINION
regarding the agenda of the meetings,
but unofficially it is known they con,
slider that the path is being cleared
for a frank discussion OF far eastern
questions.
Delicate Aspect of Situation.
An admittedly delicate aspect of the
situation is Japan's apparent INSIST
ence that problems presented py the
Yap and Shantung questions De re-
garded as not falling WITHIN the scope
of the conference.
American interest in the Island OF
Yap is intimately connected with the
whole subject of mandates Ihe Jap
anese government has contended tnat
the mandate over Yap is an accom-
plished fact that should not De cues
toned. but the Washington govern
ment has been equally insistent that
ALLEGATION Of the island cannot remain
unuuestioned, since it was done with
out the consent of this government
one of the victors in the war.
France and Italy indicated their
support of the American position. and
while formal assurance Of its position
has not been given by Great Britain.
there appears reason to believe that
she also agrees that the question
should be determined by direct nego-
tiation between the powers. That was
indicated. it is contended. by remarks
attributed to Lord Curzon in a speech
before parliament.
The United States still hopes that
the Yap question may be adjusted be-
fore the conference is held, but it is
understood this government would be
unwilling to enter into an agreement
that it should be written on the list
of the subjects barred from discussion
at that time.
Bulgarian Approval.
Formal Endorsement of the plan for
discussing limitation Of armaments
has been presented at the State De-
partment by DR.. P Lessinoff, charge
d'affaires ad interim of Bulgaria.
Following instructions from my
government" his communication said,
Il have the honor to request you to
transmit to his excellency. the Presi-
dent of the United States the hearty
congratulations of the premier and
the government Of Bulgaria for the
noble initiative he has taken toward
general disarmament.
Firmly attached to the principle
of peaceful and friendly relations
among the nations of the world. the
premier and the government of Bull
saria cherish the hope that this i'm
portant step, taken by his excellency
the President of the United States
may meet with full success and thus
contribute effectively toward the
preservation and strengthening of
universal peace" -