The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-07-16
Told Scope of Disarmament Con.
ference Not Restricted.
Invited Nations to Decide, Not
the United States.
SIBERIAN PLANS BLOCKED
Military Leaders at Toxic Oppose
Farley Participation.
Lloyd George Too Busy to At
tend Washington Session.

Washington, July 16.-The next
move in the disarmament game is
Japan's, it appeared today.
The United States, it is understood,
has made answer to the japanese in
quiry concerning the scope of Presi-
dent Harding's suggested disarma-
ment conference and has advised the
leaders of the Oriental nation that the
question of scope is one which must
be decided by the comforting nations
and not by the invited nations or by
any one nation.
Reports from Paris that the dis
armament commission of the League
of Nations is apparently disposed to
defer action pending the conference
proposed by this nation were re-
ceived with satisfaction in official
circles here, for it has been suggested
that Japan might express desire to
let the proposed conference go by the
boards on grounds that it was a MEM
ber of the League of Nations which
had already started disarmament pro-
ceedings.
Until Japan gives a final answer as
to her willingness to participate in
the conference, it is probable there
will be no definite step forward taken
in the conference matter, but that in
formal exchanges of views will con-
tinue between the interested nations
in an effort to shape the agenda of
the parley.
Blocks Siberian Plans.
Toxic, July 5.-(delayed) d)-Sup-
porters of President Harding's pro-
posal for a disarmament conference
expressed the opinion today that such
conference would interrupt and per-
haps block entirely Japanese military
activity in Siberia. 1t Is charged by
political opponents of the Hara ad-
ministration that Japan is Illegally
holding Vladivostok and other places.
While the diplomatic advisory coun-
Gil has announced that Japan will par
| ticipate in the proposed disarmament
conference, such participation is op-
posed by some of the military leaders.
They profess to see in the disarSna-
ment serious obstacle to Japanese
| plans in Asia.
Count Ozaki, leader of the disarma-
ment movement in Japan, declared to-
! day that Japan should take part IN
the disarmament conference.
I'VE have everything to gain from
such a meeting" said Count OzaH.
'T think it was a mistake, however,
to invite China"
| Let United States Keep Initiative.
| Paris, July 16.- "A strong movement
to allow the United States to maintain
| the initiative in world disarmament
J developed today when the disarma-
ment commission of the League Of
Nations met here.
Rene Viviani, head OF the commits
sion, in opening the meeting, referred
to President Harding's proposal for a
disarmament conference in Washing
| ton. He said it was quite likely the
! disarmament activities of the league
would meet the same fate as covenant
amendments and league mandates,
both of which were adjourned by the
! league members until America could
participate actively in the debates.
France favors postponement OF any
definite disarmament action on the
part of the League of Nations until
President Harding's meeting is held.
On the other hand, some of the pow
ers are opposed to adjournment Their
representatives take the view that the
efforts of the league towards disarm-
ament would undoubtedly achieve re-
suits which would be helpful to the
Washington conference. All evident
ly are of the opinion that the leader
ship of the movement should be held
by the United States.
It was pointed out that, as America
is not a member of the League of Ma
tions and is. not represented on the
disarmament commission, the COM
mission could do little OF permanent
nature. 1t was suggested however.
that the commission continue its con-
sideration of disarmament and for
ward copy of all debates to Wash
| ington.
Lloyd George Busy.
London, July 16.-Despite his de-
sire to attend, Premier Lloyd George
will be prevented by the Irish situa-
sion from heading the British delega-
ton to the Washington disarmament
conference, 1t was learned from an
authoritative source this afternoon.
TOU-NTEY DENIED REuEARTN.