The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1921-10-06
THE FAR EAST AND PEACE

The United States has acted on the
suggestion of the allied powers and has
been attempting to arrange a basis OF
discussion expected to result in an
agreement on what shall be taken up
at the conference for the limitation of
ornaments. The suggestions assume
the existence of two schools Of thought,
one believing the agenda should be gen.
eral in scope and the other that they
should be definite and detailed. This
government favors a nor general
form of agenda, one that will make
il possible for the conference to dis
cuss all outstanding questions with
a bearing on the limitation Of arma-
ments and upon the far eastern Ques-
ton, the settlement of which is a nee
essary preliminary to any agreement
on limitation Of armament.
This preliminary discussion or the
agenda furnishes the first diplomatic
contest of the conference, friendly in
its nature but expected to have a de-
termined character. AS the European
powers have generally assumed the
United States, as the host of the gath
costing the nature of the agenda, the
initial conflict Of opinion will prob
ably be between Japan and the United
States. State department officials re-
I e,,,a L. liz. A. ....,,-z A. xa-s.
tive proposals further than to admit
having admitted them, and it is made
plain that suggestions from Toxic and
other places %purporting to give the
nature Of the American proposals were
wide of the mark. II a general form
Of agenda is adopted, such as was
used at the Versailles conference, the
following represents a fair outline OF
what this government would like to
have placed before the conferences:
The open door and an equal oppor
tunity for all in the far east and in
mandate territories as well.
The territorial integrity Of Russia
in Siberia, the open door there with
equal opportunity, the powers to con
stitute themselves benevolent guard
ians for the protection of Russia unit
such time as Russia shall rehabilitate
herself.
The same application of the princi
n1nC nf tho nnnn dnnr ord fnrritnria
integrity for China and the substitu
ton of international cooperation fol
the former practice of spheres of in
fuence and foreign exploitation o,
China.
Other general subjects would include
the question of fertilization in the Pa
cifc, question of immigration, etc. !
a more detailed agenda be desired ant
insisted upon, her this country vii
ask that all the cards be placed upoJ
the table.
Information coming t Washington
is that Japan is much more willing t.
discuss all germane subjects than wa
indicated in her acceptance Of the In
vitatiOn. Public sentiment in Japal
is said to be undergoing a radica
change due to a more complete under
standing that the United States will
not enter the conference as an attoi
ney for China nor as an enemy o
Japan. This determination of polio,
has been made clear to Jananese reI
resentatives. 1t is acknowledged tina
in some instances the Chinese an
American interests will be parallel, blu
where they diverge the United Staet
will pursue an Independent course
Above everything else II Ia the desir
of this government to reach a friendl
understanding with Japan that wi
wipe out all causes OF differences whic
might threaten future conflict.