Omaha daily bee., 1921-07-28
Flaps Accept
Invitation
of Harding
Agree to Discuss Pacific and
Far Eastern Problems in
Connection With Disarm-
ament Conference.
Other Powers to Attend

Washington, July 27.-Secretary
Hughes announced today acceptance
by Japan of proposals for fal
eastern conference in connection
with the disarmament discussion:
suggested by Mr.. Harding.
The japanese acceptance wa:
based on the understanding that the
United States was not opposed tc
an agreement as to the agenda OF
the far eastern conference before i.
convenes.
1t was explained that the Japanese
government had taken into consid-
Grafton in reaching its decision the
communications and the published
statements of the American govern
ment of the conversations of the
- secretary of state and Baron Shide-
|ofiara indicating that the American
government proposed to discuss the
Pacific and the far eastern problems
because of the close bearing they
have on the question of the limita-
ton of ornaments. 1t was on the
understanding therefore, that discus
SION OF the far eastern problems was
made a preliminary to disarmament
negotiations that the japanese gov
ernment has consented to considcra-
ton.
May Invite Other Powers.
The State department made public
Japan's reply and the memorandum
sent by the United States to the
Japanese government through the
American embassy in Toxic, July 23
1t was disclosed that other powers
besides China having interests in the
far east right be invited to take
part in the conference on far eastern
questions.
The japanese reply follows:
"The Jap pese government has
taken note o. the contents OF the
American memorandum of July 23,
received through the American charge
daffaires in reply to the Japanese
memorandum of July IS, on con-
>fcrence on the limitation of arma-
i1.ent to be held in Washington
at has been brought to the knowl-
edge of the Japanese government that
the government of the United States
is willing to proceed with exchanges
o. opinion regarding the agenda prior
to the conference and that it consid-
ers it advisable to adjust in that
narnsira the nature and scope of the
Pacific and far eastern questions to
be discussed at the proposed confer
enc2. The japanese government, on
that understanding, is happy to be
able to inform the American govern
ment that it is their intention gladly
to accept an invitation for a confer
ence which shall embrace discussion
of the Pacific and far eastern ques-
ticns.
Desire Enduring Peace.
"The Japanese government has
been made aware through the COM
muncations and published statements
OF the American government and the
conversations between the secretary
of state and Baron Shidehara, that
! the proposition of the American gov
y ernment to discuss the Pacific and
far eastern problems is based on the
close bearing they have on the limita-
ton of armaments which is the prin.
cipal aim of the conference, and that
therefore the main object of discuss
ing the problems is to reach COM
mon understanding in regard to
general principals and policies in the
Pacific and the far east. Desiring, as
they do, to contribute to the estab
l;shment of an enduring peace and
to the advancement of human well
fare. the Japanese government ear
nestly hope that the proposed confer
SAcncc may attain the expected results
snd their ideals MAY thereby be
'rought nearer to realization.
ITO insure the success of tie con-
icrcnce. the Japanese government
A'deems it advisable that the agenda
thereof should be arranged in ac-
cordance with the main object of the
iSsussion as above defined and that
introduction therein of problems
such as are Of sole concern to GER
tain particular powers or such mat
ters that may be regarded accom-
plished facts should be scrupulously
avoided"
Text of u. S. Note.
The American memorandum de-
livered July q follows:
THE government of the United
States deeply appreciates the readi-
ness of the imperial Japanese gov
ernment to accept the invitation to
attend the conference on the limi-
tation of armament.
THE secretary of state. in inform
al conversations with his excellency,
the imperial ambassador at Wash
ington, has expressed the hope that
the imperial government would not
press its inquiry as to the nature
and scope of the Pacific and ia,
!eastern problems to be discussed at
3the proposed conference. in view of
Nthe fact that it is desirable that the
tull acceptance of the invitation of
the American government leave this
matter open for adjustment in the
precise agenda to be arrived at later.
The secretary of State is willing
to proceed with exchanges OF opinion
regarding the agenda prior to the
meeting of the conference. He con-
siders inadvisable, however, at the
present moment to hamper tn pro-
geram and in particular delay the ar
rangements for the conference pend
ing an agreement regarding this mat
~