The New York herald., 1921-07-25
JAPAN FOLLOWS U. s.
ON CHINA OPEN DOOR
Likely to Urge Free Field for
Trade if She Joins in Far
Eastern Conference.
Br the Aasociatcd Press.

WARRINGTON, July 24.--Although the
conclusions of the Diplomatic Advisory
Council OF Japan. which has been meet
ing In Toxic, are expected to decide
finally the course of that country with
respect to participation In the proposed
Far Eastern conference. it was stated
authoritatively to-day to be virtually
certain that Japan will ask assurances
that formal agreement as to the scope
of the conference discussions be reached
prior to the meeting.
Formulation of such an agreement, IL
also was stated, need not precede re-
sponse by Japan to the overtures OF
Secretary Hughes. but must. in the view
OF the Japanese Government. come at
some time between the reply to the
American Secretary of State and the
actual meeting of the conference.
Formulation of the agreement might
come before the extension of the formal
invitation to the conference. In fact.
there are some indications that the
Japanese would prefer that arrangement,
but II not then the formal invitation
itself will, 1T is expected, make these
limitations clear.
Principal subjects for discussion by
the proposed conference under the head
OF Far Eastern questions are considered
IN Japanese circles here to embrace the
status of China, it's relations to other
governments its complex internal eco
nomic conditions and the possibility of
reconciling various conflicting conces-
sions held by foreign governments as
well as individuals. The Japanese be-
lief is that there shall be no interference
by the conference with vested rights and
concessions. but that 1t is entirely proper
that efforts should be made to relieve
friction that has grown out of overlap
ping claims.
Claims OF Powers i'm China.
Japan tlasyns certain exclusive rights
In Manchuria Great Britain asserts con-
troll of a sphere of influence in the whole
Yangtse Valley; America has railway
concessions through middle China Bel
gium and Holland are also interested
financially in such enterprises. while
France dominates the Chinese postal
system as a counter balance to Eng
lands control OF the Chinese maritime
customs. Japan also enjoys valuable
and exclusive rights in Fukien Province.
That the conference Nigh consider the
framing of some plan for simplfica-
tion of all these concessions will be fa-
vored by Japan, 1t is understood. In
cidentally. that would affect an Amer
lean concession based on a tobacco tax
monopoly and might also involve re-
view of the arrangements made by the
consortium which undertook to finance
China.
The Japanese hope and expectation is
understood to be that. notwithstanding
Chinas efforts to bring the subject of
the Japanese occupation of Shantung be-
far thp apf haf yof
be adjusted in advance by direct negoti-
ations between the two governments 1t
is also believed in Japanese quarters
here that the controversy with the
United States as to cable rights in the
Island of Yap may be settled "out of
court" by Secretary ughes and Baron
Shidehara, the Japanese Ambassador.
American officials. however, arc not so
positive about this
While they hope for direct settlement.
IL is fully understood that the issue pre-
scented in this case. apparently confined
to mere question of the right to OPP
craft submarine cable, might easily be
greatly enlarged so as to involve the
whole subject OF mandates over the
Pacific islands.
Japnn. Sees a Loss to Her.
Should the direct negotiation of this
subject fail, therefore, ii la believed to
be almost inevitable that the Washing
ton conference will be obliged TO con-
slider this subject in it's broadest aspect.
Japan is understood to be fully pre-
pared in that case to challenge the right
OF the British Pacific dominions to the
exclusive control of the many islands
in the Pacific south of the equator for
merly owned by Germany, which are
regarded by the Japanese as much more
important and promising in the matter
of trade opportunities than the former
German owned islands north of the
equator, which were assigned to Japan
by the Supreme Council.
The occupation by Japan of por-
jacent Asian mainland as a result of the
massacre at Nicolaevsk more than
year ago may be settled as a result OF
negotiations which the Japanese Gov
ernment has begun through q special
commissioner with the Government OF
the Far Eastern republic at Chita.
Should this fail, however, 1t Is expected
that the Washington conference will be
called upon to deal with that subject.
1t appears. however. that the main
Japanese efforts will be directed to the
removal of all restrictions and discrim-
nations in trading with China and In
the development of that country. carry
ing out the open door policy initiated by
the late John Hay, and assurance on
that point already conveyed to Secre-
tary Hughes, Is believed to account for
much of the optimism he has shown re-
rardinp the success of the protected con-