The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1921-08-20

j Agreement With Japanese Government
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.
! Especial Dispatch to The Reformer.)
,..... Copyright 1921.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 20.-Ameriea
will not be party to the present Anglo
Japanese alliance.
The attitude of the United States to-
ward offensive and defensive alliances is
not to be altered.
Cooperation between the United States
and the other powers, so far as the Far
East is concerned. should not be difficult.
1t is sought by America and this country
will enter into any arrangement for the
preservation of peace in the Far East, the
principles of which are in accord with
American tradition. ,. ~.
The foregoing statements are based
upon information obtained in official quar-
ters in reply to the speech of Prime Min
lister Lloyd George in the house of COM
mons suggesting that IF the alliance be-
tween. Great Britain and Japan could
emerge into a greater understanding with
Japan and the United States on all prob
lens of the Pacific that would be a great
event which would be guarantee for
the peace of the world"
Not Before Government.
| Naturally the Lloyd George proposal is
not before the American government for
consideration, SO formal comment would
not be proper Nevertheless, the effort
of the British to make plain their desires
for an enlargement of the Anglo-Iapan-
csc alliance had not failed to make an
impression here even before the prime
minister's speech. The viewpoint of this
government was foretold in these columns
the earlier part of the week particularly
as it shows what the discussion is likely
to be when the nations get together in the
disarmament conference on November IL.
Why do the British want the Anglo
Japanese alliance enlarged to include the
United States-in fact. why do they urge
lit in the face of the American senate's
rejection of the league of nations with
its all inclusive article ten? The answer
to that question throws some light on the
British difficulty in handling the subject
of renewing the Anglo-JapancSe alliance
while the United States and the British
CominiOnS have a common viewpoint on
Far Eastern questions,
Lloyd Georges Purpose.
The fact is that many observers here
think Prime Minister Lloyd George is
seeking graceful way to bring about the
abrogation of the Anglo-Japanese alliance
without offending Japan. His suggestions
, that America be included would mean
objections from America az to certain
clauses of the alliance requiring military
and naval obligations. To open up the
Anglo-IapaneSe alliance it might be nee
eSsary for the British government formally
to denounce that alliance as a preliminary
to the making of a new agreement. Once
the Anglo-JapaneSe alliance is denounced
discussion of substitute ensues. Then
VIII come the turning point of the whole
controversy for the United States I'M
questionably will propose treaty or CON
vention to include not only Great Brit
| ain, Japan and the United States but
France, Italy and China.
Opening Of Big Discussion. ....-
In other words, the prime minister's
speech i'll the house of commons is re-
garded here as a significant opening of the
| discussions which must precede an agree
ment at the disarmament conference next
| November. America insists that special
alliance between three powers is INSULT
cient and will not have the same effect
In clearing up misunderstanding as a gem
eral convention including China, France
and Italy. all of whom have important
/ interests in the Far East
| The basic purpose of the Anglo-Janan-
csc alliance insofar as it means consulta-
| ton between the East and the West is
not Objectionable here. Being associated
with Japan in n partnership of nations
Is Just as much welcomed as it is in the
british empre-no more and no less.
| But the Washington government agrees
with the prime minister's statement that
unless far eastern controversies. are settled
I there is little hope for disarmament And
the viewpoint here is that a special agree.
/ ment between Japan, United States and
Great Britain would not be sufficient and
4 that cooperation in the Far East ought
to be general and all inclusive to be effec.
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