Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-06-17
NO SEATS FOR WAR WRAITHS
AT THE CONFERENCE TABLE
Even the Delicate Questions Involving
America and Japan Can Be Settled
by tho Farley Method Now In
voked In Washlnaton

hara have Immediately lost caste in the
eyes OF certain noisy minOritics Of imperial
lists on opposite sides of the Pacific Ocean.
That the dsmay of the alarmists is acute,
sufficient. indeed, to gag them into silence.
is, upon the other hand, the dcvout hope OF
numbers of Japanese and Americans, on
whom the word that two great nations had
begun to discuss and analyze their differ
ences must have fallen like a benediction
of common sense.
Chip on the shoulder polity leads either
10 futility or bloodshed Foolish at all
times. it becomes criminal when its exploit
ors capitalize the misunderstanding and tho
ignorant prCjudiccs which are the funda
mental causes Of war.
In fairness to the Governments Of soth tho
United States aud Japan, it may be said
that each has exhibited Commcudablc re-
straint in the handling of situations of ex-
treme dclicacy. The real damage. serious,
but happily far from irreparabc. has been
done chiefly by irresponsible cliques and
propagandists. deep -lunged and shallow
minded
Misrepresentation has so beclouded the
facts that it is difficult to dspel the impress
sion that California is positively swarm
ing with aggressive Japanese or that the
overwhelming trend of sentiment in the
Mikado's empire Is for war with the
United States at the most favorable oppor-
tunity.
Belief in such pcrilous nonsense has per-
sisted in spite Of the last census report of
but 7O.19G japanese in the State which
trCmbl"S most AZ their "CnrroaChm"nts.
and notwithstanding the evidence that mill
taristi" principles in Japan arc entertained
mainly by tho blatant class of Narikins--as
the war prottcers are called-and by the
tories and rcactionarcs. alarmed at tho
growing invasion Of their ancient prcroga
tivPS.
4 poll Of the leading Japanese universities
recently disclosed tho favor in which tho
great majority Of students view tho discussed
policy Of reduced armaments. The truth is
that neither nation. regarded in the mass.
is in the least dcsrous of war.
1t is. however. equally incontcstahe that
there is tn" stuff of grave crises in tho un-
settled questions upon which both Govern
ments arc presumed to hold conflicting
opinion. These issues, which were trying
before tho World War have been acCumU
lating nov offshoots in the reconstruction
period. IT neglected. there is possibility
Of their attaining malcvolcnt growth.
TIL" conversations in Washington in which
Mr.. Hughes and Ambassador Shdehara have
engaged may BE- considered as sincere effort
to prevent these poisonous plants from
blooming. Candid discussion is Il marvellous
antidote for misconceptions. 4 few days
Of reasonable parlcy in August, 1914. would
probably have avertcd the tragedy Of ctvli-
zation.
Toxic. 1t is gratifying to note, is to be
accredited with inviting the conferences
There are cynicS who may interpret this
request as significant recognition of Amcri
/,
cial cmbarrasSm"nts in heavily taxed Japan.
The point. sav" as an exercise in ethics, is
not worth arguing at this moment.
Realities which take precedence include
the Hughes protest concerning the status of
Yap, tho doubtful nature OF tho japanese
title to Shantung and the weight of Ameri-
can opinion on this subject. the anti-Japa
nese sentiment in California whether jus
tilted or otherwise. the pending Anglo
japanese treaty, the stand of the British
colonies on this theme. and the armament
burdens of two nations which retard and
mporil civilization by mutual suspicious
Inevitably thcre must be c'muromises il
the parlpys are not to be bootCSs What
form these adjustments will take cannot, Of
course be forctold in detail. On artan
contentious. however. the position ~ the
United States is explicit and well under
stood
Especially is this the case with respect to
Yap. The American Government has CON
sistpntly refused to acknowledge the League
Of Nations award Of this little island to
Japan. and has called for its International
zation with special reference to cable priv.
logcS In general, the leading nations of
Western Europe. and NOTABLY France, have
been sympathetic with our attitude.
Mother diSputHut. however. Is devoid Of
influential bargaining material. The Cali.
forna land question and the rights Of Tapa
nesp aliens in this country probably interest
tho Toxic Government as much ms the dis
position Of Yap. It is at least conceivable
that a balancing Of assets may lead TO some
regulation Of coolic immigration to the
Pacific slope and to a decision upon property
rights clarifying the status both Of Ameri-
cans in Japan and Japanese in the United
States.
Whntevor happens. it is likely that there
will be- hows from over heated anti Yellow
Peril propagandiSts in California and from
tho REPRESENTATIVES Of modicvaliSm IN Japan.
Fortunatcy ia" conferences are not being
held for the exclusive benefit Of thes" parties,
but in the interests Of enduring peace.
The mere opening Of the discussion marks
a long stride in that direction, No nations
Of honest purpose need be afraid of outlining
49, 81 aIr af Tho rley tahlp