The New York herald., 1921-12-22
Spirit of the Conference Is
Still Positive Guaranty
of Success.
GOOD WILL is DOMINANT
Speedy Solution of Issues
Looked For by British
Editor.
BY WICKHAM STEED,
Editor of London Times.

Editor of London Times.
Copyright, 1921. By United NeUs.)
! WASHINGTON. Dec. 21.-The situation
has become somewhat complicated.
The French naval position is now in
i general accord with the proposed cap
ital ship ratio, and with the under
standing which has always existed
that France will need special treat
ment in regard TO other than capital
ships.
Yet for some reason hitherto uneX-
planned the grand naval committee
adjourned until Thursday. leaving
Wednesday blank so far as official
treatment of the naval question is
concerned.
Reaction on Japanese.
| simultaneously the announcement was
made that the Japanese and Chinese
delegates have reached deadlock on
the Shantung Railway question and
that the points Of disagreement must be
referred to Toxic before further discus
/ sion of them here. The differences con-
| cern at once the financial terms for the
redemption of the Shantung Railway
and the Japanese proposal to appoint
demption by China.
The details of the proposed redemp-
tion plan are for the moment less inter-
esting than the question Of the Japanese
attitude toward the future control of
Shantung. The desire to appoint ex-
perts and to arrange intricate terms of
redemption covering a long period of
years seems to SAVIOR of a wish on the
part Of Japan to retain the reality of
control while sacrificing merely its ap-
pearance.
! Nevertheless this controversy need not
In itself be taken tragicaliy. 1t was OBJ
vious that as soon as difficulty arose
! in connection with French naval de-
mands the Japanese attitude on Shan
tung and cognate issues would stiffen.
1 This Is what has occurred. The remedy
/ Is equally obvious. 1t is for other dele
4 cations to work with will and to agree
! quickly. This conference can only sue
ceed if 1t be carried through to the end
I ia NuC SaHiE SpiTlL III WHICH IL was De-
gun. The dominant issue Of the confer
ence has always been the maintenance
of good Will and sincerity not only by
the delegations here but by the govern
ments and peoples whom the delegations
represent.
In no respect Is the predominance of
| this clearer than in regard to the con-
troversy that has arisen upon the exact
meaning of the quadruple Pacific treaty.
Two Possible Views.
1t is easy to foresee what play can
and perhaps will be made by opponents
of the conference.-the indeed. of the
assumption by the United States Of any
obligations. no matter how modest
with this admitted difference Of opinion
between the President and the American
delegation. In some quarters II will be
alleged that the President was left in
the dark as to the precise nature of the
obligations which the delegation was as
suming.
In others capital will be made of the
disclosure of a hypothetical attempt to
maneuver the American nation into a
position which it resolutely declined TO
accept under the covenant of the League
OF Nations. 1t will also be argued that
the quadruple treaty places upon the
United States at least the moral duty
OF assisting Japan against any attack
upon her from China, or eventually
RUSSIA prospect obnoxious to Ameri-
can sentiment. In a dozen forms and
under various disguises agitation
against the conference may be expected
to revive.
Undoubtedly this discrepancy in the
Interpretation of the treaty will bring
grist to the mill of its opponents. Pos
sjbly some interpretative rider or
amendment TO Il may be found neces-
sary, or its ratification by the Senate
may be made contingent upon reserva-
tions designed TO Ak its meaning beyond
dispute. But those who dejectediy or
ioyfully prophesy evil overlook one inn
portant consideration put forward in
the supplementary Presidential state
ment Tuesday evening.
"spirit of the Conference"
This consideration is that the spirit
Of the conference contemplates n eonfi-
dence that pledges respect OF territory
in every way which tends to promote
lasting peace. This spirit Of the con-
ference" is and has throughout been
the main factor In its work and the only
positive guaranty of it's success. Were
Il weakened or dissipated none OF the
decisions OF the conference would be
worth much more than the paper on
which they we're written.
But even more deplorable than a fall
ure Of tho conference TO achieve It's main
purposes would be the effect upon the
world at large OF breakdown OF n
great American initiative. The convo-
cation Of the Washington conference,
the manner in which It was opened. the
frankness and determination Of Mr.
Hughes's statement on limitation Of ar
maments and the evident desire of the
United states Administratiofl---with the
approval OF an overwhelming majority
of the American people--to breathe a
new life into international relationships
revived among other democratic peoples
the confidence in America and In the
sane idealism of the American people
which the events Of the past two years
had seriously enfeebled. Unless mis-
judge totally and absolutely the nature
of American feeling toward the Presi-
| dents high endeavor, the spirit which
animated his initiative will not disap-
pear or even decrease to such an ex-
/ tent ms to cease to be a driving power
behind the Washington gathering.
| II ] am wrong 7 nrefer TO be wrong