The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-07-15
ALL OF JAPAN IS
 PREPARED FOR MOVE

Tokio, July 12.-Prsident Hard ing's suggestion for conference at Washington for the limitation of ar
 maments, to be accompanied by Il discussion of general far eastern questions by interested powers, has
 been officially received and was etngthily deliberated upon today by h he cabinet
 .r, tSince the filing of this dispatch a;apans acceptance of President r rIardinas suggestion for a confer
 rnce has been received at Wsshing- ,ton, no reference being made, how ever, to far eastern questions). The entire empire, from the high est officials to the humblest citizens. has been prepared for months for
 such move, which everybody recog- | nizes is destined to have a momen- | tous effect on the future of the far east and the role Japan is destined to play therein.
 Every difficulty Japanese states men are apt to find in attempting to
 :-~ the scope of Japan's political ac- 1 tivities in the future in the far east, is put forward here to explain the | apprehension created by the second part of President Harding's sugges- | tion, namely, that the armament con 1 ference should logically include 2
 discussion of general far eastern | problems.
 Shy of Far East Issue Japanese officials decline to dis Ftuss the matter. but the correspon-
 dent is informed that while Japan heartily welcomes the armament de- 1 liberation, the belief prevails that
 the suggestion of a conference oi, policies in the far east is one requlr- ing the most careful consideration on | the part of Japan, and some doubt Is expressed as to whether Japan would 1 accept such an invitation blindly | without first inquirng into the na-
 ture and scope of the questions to he 1 brought up at the conference. I It is considered likely that Japan
 will make inquiries on this point
 It is pointed out, for example. that 1 the status of Japanese In America IS
 as important question to Japan
 which might like to kUow whether
 it is included in the suggested dis
 cussion. It is evident, however that
 Japan considers armament as the
 fundamental subject of the proposed
 conference, and that she is ready to
 discuss.
 There is some misunderstanding To- | cally as to the nature of the Presl- l dents proposal Japan has received
 no formal invitation, but through the ! counselor of the American embassy, l Edward Bell. received an inquiry as to whether an invation to an arma . ment conference would be agreeable. | This was coupled with the suggestion 1 that the conference was closely re- | lated to general questions affecting | the Pacific and the far east, which
 could be discussed by the interested powers.
 The plan to invite China to a 1en-
 eral far eastern conference is another matter which, it is understood is giv- | ing the Japanese considerable
 thought At all events, Japan appar-
 ently considefs that the form of the
 proposal leaves her free to present her views frankly in the taking up of questions relating to the far east. The conservative Jiji Shimpo, which is a pioneer in the campaign TOT ar
 armament agreement, calls Presiden
 Hardins's initiative the greatest pos
 sible blessing to the nations or th'
 world.
 Ut is understod by the statement O. Vice Admiral Kato. minister or ma rine. to the Associated Press at Toki' in March" says the paper, Japai will welcome participation and do ne
 best to act in concert with the DO" CTS"
 Misgiving concerning the effect o the policies conference on 1apan's fu ture are voiced by the Asahi, whicl |fthinks the time has now arrived 10 Japan to settle her account in the Ia east It fears without assistaic Japan will be isolated and says sh undoubtedly is facing the creates crisis since the Russo Japanese wal The newspaper also finds difficult in understanding the real meaning Q the Japanese British notification | the League of Nations that the An glo-Japanese alliance will be inter preted in accordance with the cove