Norwich bulletin., 1921-07-25
JAPAN TO ASK SCOPE OF ' CONFERENCE DECISIONS

Washington. July 24 (by the A. P.)- Although the conclusions of the diplo- matic advisory council of Japan, which has been meeting in Tokio, are expected to decide finally the course of that coun- try with respect to participation in the proposed far eastern conference, it was stated authoritatively today to be prac- tically certain that Japan will ask as- surances that formal agreement as to the scope of the conference decisions be reached prior to the meeting
 Formulation of such an agreement, it also was stated, need not precede re- sponse by Japan to the overtures of Sec retary Hughes, but must, in the view of the Japanese government, come at some time between the reply to the American secretary of state and the actual meet l ing of the conference Formulation of the agreement might come before the ex- tension of the formal invitation to the conference in fact there are some indi- cations that the Japanese would prefer fthat arrangement. but if not, then the formal invitation itself will. it is expect | ed. make these limitations clear.
 | Principal subjects for discussions by the proposed conference under the head of far eastern questions are considered | in Japanese circles here to embrace the status of China, it's relations to other governments its complex internal econ ornic conditions, and the possibility of reconciling various conflicting conces- sions held by foreign governments as well as individuals. The Japanese be- , lief is that there shall be no interference by the conference with vested rights and concessions but that it is entirely prop CT that efforts should be made to relieve | friction that has grown out of overlap ping claims Japan claims certain excfu- sive rights in Manchuria; Great Britain asserts control of a ship here of fn- 1uence in the whole Yanstse valley Ameirca has railway concessions through
 Middle China: Belgium and Holland are also interested financially in such enter prises. while France dominates the Chi nese postal system as a counter-balance
 to Engiand's control of the Chinese mar. itime customs. Japan also enjoys val. luable and exclusive rights in Fukier
 province.
 That the conference might consider the framing of some plan for a sinrpfhca. tion of all these concessions would bs
 favored by Japan. it is understood. Tn. cidentally that would affect an Ameri
 can concession based on tobacco ta,
 monopoly and might also involve a re
 view of the arrangements made by tn,
 consortfum which is understood to fi.
 nance China.
 The Japanese hope and expectation 1,
 understood to be that, notwithstanding
 China's efforts to bring the subject o
 the Japanese occupation of Shantung be fore the conference, that matter may vel
 be adjusted in advance by direct nego
 tiationn between the two governments. | is also believed in Japanese quarter, here that the controversy with the Unit
 ed States as to cable rights in the islzns | of Yap may be settled "out of court
 by Secretary Hughes and Baron Shide
 hara, the Japanese ambassador Ameri
 can officials, however. are not so positiv, about this. While they hope for direc
 settlement, 1t is fully understood tha
 the issue presented in this case, appar
 ently confined to mere question of tn
 right to operate a submarine cable. migh . easily be greatly enlarged so as to in lvoive the whoie subject of mandates owe the Pacific islands.
 Should the direct negotiation of tht
 subject fail therefore. 1t is believed t,
 be almost ingv1table that the Washing Iton conference will be obliged to con sider this subject in fts broadest aspect
 Japan is understood to be fully prepzrei , In that Case to challenge the right of tn British Pacific dominions to the exclu
 sive control of the many islands in tn . Pzcf1c south of the equator formerl- owned by Germany, which are regarde, by the Japanese as very much more i'm portant and promising in the matter 0 Itrade opportunities than the forme German owned islands north of the equa !. tor which were assigned to Japan.
 . The occupation by Japan of portioi . of northern Saghalein and the adjacen Asian mainland as a result of the mas P sacre at N'f'laevsk more than a yea ] ago may he settled as a result of nego
 tiations which the Japanese governmen thas begun through special commis
 sioner with the government of the fa
 eastern rpeubIic at Chita. Should thes fail, however, it Is expected that tn ? Washington conference will be called up on to deal with that subject.
 ; It appears, however that the mai
 Japanese efforts will be directed to tn
 removal of all restrictions and discrimi
 nations in trading with China and in tn tdevelopment of that country. carryin out the open door policy initiated by tn = late John Hay, an assurance on tha ! point already conveyed to secretar f Hughes, is believed to account for muc of the optimism he has shown regardin . the success of the projected conference.
 Nor is there in the bright iexfco