Evening star., 1921-07-31

moment, TO hamper the program ana IN par
ticular to delay the arrangements for the
conference pending an agreement regarding
this matter"
To which the Japanese government replies:
1T has been brought to the knowledge Of the
Japanese government that the government Of
the United States is willing to proceed with
exchanges Of opinion regarding the agenda
prior to the meeting Of the conference and
that it considers it advisable to adjust in that
agenda the nature and scope Of the Pacific and
far eastern questions to be discussed at the
proposed conference. The Japanese govern
ment, on that understanding, are happy to be
able to inform the American government that
1t is their intention gladly to accept an in
vitation for a conference which shall embrace
the discussion Of the Pacific and far eastern
questions.
'rhe Japanese government have been made
aware that the proposition Of the American
government to discuss the Pacific and far
eastern problems is based on the close bearing
they have on the question of the Limitation Of
ornaments. which is the original and principal
aim Of the conference, and that therefore the
main object Of discussing these problems is to
reach q common understanding in regard to
general principles and politics in the Pacific
and the far east
I'm order to insure the success Of the con-
ference. the Japanese government deem it
advisable that the agenda thereof should be
arranged in accordance with the main object
Of discussions above defined, and that intro
duction therein Of problems such of sole
concern to certain particular powers such
matters may be regarded accomplished
acts should be scrupulously avoided"
The complete documents (the American
memorandum and the japanese reply) furnish a
perfect example Of diplomatic exchange. The
reply is being generally hailed an uncondi-
tional acceptance Of President Harding's in
vitation: the japanese. 1t is said. will not in
sist on important limitations to discussion; they
fhnfp ifv {co1v
the opposite Interpretation, however. Is enter
tained by some. We shall see.
Our State Department has announced that
beside the powers already invited to the
ference "other powers having interests in the
Tar east may also be invited to take part in
the discussion" Apparently not in a voting
capacity though this is not clear What
powers? The Netherlands and Belgium, at
any rate Belgian interests in China. especially
In railroads, are very considerable The
Netherlands has some 100000 subjects in
the East Indies and has been very suspicious
and uneasy about Japan. The Indian council
Of the Netherlands, with a sole view to Japan.
has just recommended construction Of a new
East Indian fleet Of forty submarines. fifty
destroyers and other larger vessels and numer-
GUS air craft-an appalling burden
Precisely how the tremendous interests of
Canada, Australia and New Zealand are to be
adequately represented at the conference seems
to be still in doubt.
X X
MISCELLANEOCS.-In Dublin Mr.. De
Valera. Mr.. Griffith and the other prominent
Sinn Feinets discussing the proposals of
the British cabinet. but to whittier these dis
cussions tend we have no authentic informa-
ton.
Signor Bonomi. the new italian premier, has
put in force drastic measures to end the fero-
cious struggle (spread over the kingdom) be-
tween the fascist (or extreme nationalists)
and the communists (or internationalists). He
put his policy up to the chamber the
other day and received the largest vote of
confidence any italian premier has had for many
a long year. All parties except the fascist and
communists voted approval, with demonstra-
tions Of enthusiasm.
Little news of the Far Eastern Republic
reaches us. The provisional Kappelite govern
ment still holds Vladisvostok. but is reported
to have adopted defensive posture. expecting
communist attacks. japanese envoy has
gone to Chita to discuss an arrangement with
the Chita government. Rumor has it that he
is empowered to offer recognition and evacua-
tion Of Japanese troops upon conditions.
Rumor is silent to the nature Of these con-
ditions