The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-11-17
JAPS ASK DELAY
IN CONFERENCE
ON THEFAR EAST
Want to Study Terms of the
Chinese Proposals.
Delegates Decide to Dispose of
Chinese Claims First.
CANNOT CUT ARMIES NOW
CANNOT CUT ARMIES NOW
BRAND Insists Size of German
Force Be Considered.
Americans Cannot Understand
British Navy Yard View.

washington, Nov. 17.-Admiral
Baron Kato, on behalf of the Japan
ese delegation to the Washington con-
ference, today asked and received
from the heads of the delegations of
the nine participating powers a delay
of several days to allow examination
of the far eastern proposals submit
ted yesterday by China.
China is to get an opportunity to
fully present her case to the jury or
the powers here, it was decided today
at n meeting of the heads of the dele
China Comes First.
At a two-hour session behind closed
doors, the committee broke up and 1t
was officially announced that q. gen
eral discussion of Chinese questions
would occupy first place in the con-
sideration of the Far East problem.
China IS expected to be able to
bring before the conference the whole
question of the Anglo-Japanese alli-
auce and its relations to the peace of
the Far East. That the pact affects
China is undisputed, inasmuch as its
preamble clearly states that the
preservation of the common interests
OF all the powers in China" is one of
the objects of the alliance.
Backed by the United States.
Known to have the moral support
of the United States these principles
at least so : as they stand for actual
practice of the open door policy and
for abo1i hment of spheres of influ-
ence in the far east, also are declared
on the highest authority to have the
s pport of Great Britain.
Japan would heartily subscribe to
nv nf v
it was stated by spokesmen for her
delegations but other points raised
doubtful questions which might be
answered only after mature consider
alton. Chief among the latter they
regarded the proposal that the powers
conclude no treaties affecting China
without consulting her, the Japanese
considering that this might directly
affect the anglo-Japanes alliance
British Cannot See Point.
It was declared to be the British
view, however, that the alliance was
not directly involved in the Chinese
proposal, altho it may later be drawn
into the discussions. AS directly af-
fecting their individual national in
terests, the Japanese also appear to
attach great Importance to thes pro-
posai that all existing commitment
relating to China should be examined
with n view to determining their scope
and validity"
Once the question is before the dele
ga. .es. it is asserted, little difficulty
Will be experienced in demOEstrat ting
that the alliance is not only contrary
to the spirit of the conference in that
China was never given "an OppOr-
tunity to participate" but also that
an offensive alliance is plainly in op-
position to the moral Implication of
the Hughes plan for permanently fix
ing the ratio between the leading
DaVips of the world
Land Reduction Impossible.
Proposals for the reduction of land
armament are impossible as long as
present conditions prevail in Europe.
Premier BRAND said today in annOunc-
ing that he is now prepared to discuss
this question before the armament
conference.
Premier BRAND denied that he will
make any actual proposals for land
armament, but said that he will simply
expose facts and figures and permit
the other powers to draw their own
conclusions
High French officials today declared
that France has no desire. for the
largest army in the world,S nor has
she any desire for expansion at the eX-
pense of her recent defeated foe
France needs a long period of peace
perhaps more than any other nation in
Europe. and is gOiLg to do all in her
power to secure it, her spokesman de-
clared.
French Are Anxious.
The French army, exclusive OF
troops maintained for the fulfillment
of mandates. does not amount to more
than 100000 men, it was claimed by
the French spokesmen.
Premier BRAND, it is understood
will inform the conference that Ger
many has 10000 men in her police
force and $50, ,00O men in the reichs-
wehr. Recent fighting in Upper Silesia
has demonstrated with what rapidity
former soldiers. completely outfitted
swell the ranks of the reichswehr. ac-
cording to the French spokesmen.
The French premier announces that
he is ready to accept any proposals
that are compatible with the security
of the French borders but he does
not conceal the fact that he expects
to be able to demonstrate that land
disarmament for France is an impos-
sibility at the present moment
Fail to Understand British.
The British suggestion that each ot
theanaval powers retain at least one
naval building yard capable of turn
ing ont one ship a year does not ap-
pear to be understood by American
naval officers particularly familiar
with construction problems There
was no suggestion in the American
Limitation proposals that any yard:
be scrapped and so far as navy YARD
facilities in this country are concerned
all will be needed it was said, in the
maintenance and repair of the re
tanned fleet.
At present the United States ha:
several navy yards equipped to builc
capital ships. It has not been contem
plated here that it would be neces
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