The New York herald., 1921-08-05
|SHANTUNG AND YAP
EXCLUSION SOUGHT
Japan Opposes Discussion at
Conference on Far East
ern Affairs.
pecidI Despatch to THE New York HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington, ID. c., Aug. A..

New York Herald Bureau,
Washington, ID. c., Aug. 4.
state Department officials said to-day
that negotiations to fix the scope OF the
coming conference on limitation or
armaments and Far Eastern questions
are progressing satisfactorily.
Japan is understood to be definitely
opposed to including the Shantung and
Yap questions in the conference pro-
gra.ume as we'll as certain phases OF
her relationship with China OF longer
standing than the Shantung award. She
is understood to hold that the contro-
versy over the Island of zap. which she
controls under a mandate not assented
to by the United States. is an issue be-
tween herself and the United States
alone.
The Harding Administration insists
that the Yap controversy is between the
United States and all the Entente
nations because they have endeavored 10
turn over Yap to Japan without the
consent OF the United States. although
the United States as one of the victors
Of the war had just as much right to
say what should be done with this
former German possession In the Pacific
Ocean as any of the other victorious
nations.
Secretary Of State Hughes allowed II
to become known that the United
States has no objection to a settlement
being attempted on the zap matter In
advance Of the arms conference. but
IL 1t Is still a pending question the
United States will contend that II prop
erly should be included in the general
discussion of Far Eastern affairs.
The fact that the island of Yap is one
of the most important communications
stations in the Pacific also gives It great
Importance in connection with the dis
cussion of arnaments.
Likewise the Administration believes
that consideration of the Shantung
award by which that big Chinese
province, formerly under German con-
troll, has been turned over to Japan with
out the consent Of China or the United
States, should not be barred from the
conference IL It has not been adjusted
by the time the conference meets.
In connection with limitation of arrria-
ments failure of the United States 10
develop the use o. poisonous gases would
plainly PLACE this country at the mercy
Of an outlaw nation. the Senate Finance
Committee was told to-day by Brig
Gen. Amos A. Fries. chief of the Army
Chemical Warfare Service.
The topic came up in connection with
the hearing on the proposed embargo
insisted that every safeguard ought to be
placed around the American dye In
6ustry because CT its possibilities in the
development OF war gases almost over
night.
1.-THE use OF poisonous gases will be
the most important factor in the next
war. and to be prepared we must de-
pend on the dye industry for research
work and for trained personnel" Gen.
Fries said.
Asked by Senator Penrose (Penn.) If
he thought the conference on limitation
OF armament would meet with failure.
Gen. Fries replied:
mo. ! am sure that II will result in
restricting the construction OF battle
ships and big guns and great savings
will thereby be accomplished for he
Government and the people who pay
the taxes But for the United States TO
ceuse to prepare for the manufacture
OF war gases would put US at the mercy
OF an outlaw nation