Evening star., 1921-11-28
THREE WAYS Open
IN FAR EAST ISSUE
American Viewpoint on Ques-
tions Before Conference
Is Revealed.
BY JUNIUs b. WOOD.

The conference committee on far
eastern problems is fairly started
on the discussion Of specific condi-
tions, after two weeks devoted 10
adopting exalted principles which
shall govern their decisions and tho
necessary preliminary organization.
The slight differences OF opinion
which have been expressed over the
few facts already considered have en-
phasized the necessity OF thorough
unraveling of the tangled mess oil di-
plomacy. commerce and military m
trigue in that part of the world AS
one American expressed the SITUATION.
There are three ways in which the
future history of the far east can de-
velop, but the only one which VIII be
satisfactory to America will be by ell
fecting an agreement here.
From the American viewpoint, the
three courses open are:
l. An agreement or treaty, to which
all the powers now present VIII be
party, defining a common policy which
they will follow in China. Siberia and
other Pacific countries.
2. Domination of the continent by
single power, or by two powers
acting jointly. who on account of
their superior military or naval
strength can ignore the wishes of
any other powers.
8. World influence exerted by a
single power which may control other
nations in case they are not bound
by more powerful diplomatic ties.
First Ii the Objective Sought.
The first of these is the objective
for which the conference was called
and toward which the delegates are
sincerely directing their efforts. 1t is
known that the four principles Of pol
icy in China which the COMMITTEES
adopted on the suggestion of Sepator
Root are to be followed up with spe-
cific application to the seven subheads
named in the agenda- The committee
is not expected to be equally unani-
nous in scrapping the conflicting pol
icies which the nations have followed
in the past and adopting a UNIFORM
policy for the future. Consequently
the other two possibilities must be
faced.
If Asia is to be dominated by the
military strength of a single power.
Japan will be that power. More like
ly it would be two powers. Great
Britain would be the second in that
case. The United States would not
figure in either. Japan has a great
commercial advantage on the conti-
nent of Asia on account of her proA-
unity and a great military advantage
over the United States on account of
her distance. Japan's activities in
IHIHd are
Gus than those of the United States,
and If it ever should become neces-
sary to use force to interpret the
open door" or other policy being fol-
lowed in China, the Interpretation
would be made there and the United
States would have to cross the Pa
cific.
Serious Doubts Expressed.
Military authorities have serious
fer
could carry on a successful campaign
at that distance. With disarmament
to respective naval strength of 5-3
the chances might be equal With a
indicated Japan will insist, they say
it would be impossible. Under such
circumstances. the American dele
gates are determined to secure an
agreement among all the powers at
the conference.
The position of the United States in
world politics in the past has secured
consideration for its policies in the
far east. What Japan most breads
is that she shall be isolated. Japan
might oppose the policies Of one other
power, for Japan is determined when
she considers herself right, but she
would not risk isolation. feared like
a ghost in the dark. by following a.
policy disapproved Of by all the other
powers.
win the AnSIO-JapdneSe alliance
renewed. Japan will feel that she is
insured against isolation. That SEN
timental asset is its chief value, for Ja-
pan does not expect nor want England
to fght any battles for her. A tri-party
alliance Of Japan. Great Britain and
the United States would be even bet
ter. An American-Jnpanese alliance
would be welcomed by Toxic. possibly
canceling the present alliance with
out a regret. for despite the friction
OF recent years. JapR MS historical Ind
commercial association with ths
United States Is closer than with any
other western power.
The United States does not dread
isolation. Since the Versailles treaty
she has been accused by some nations
Of desiring IT. With the AnGlo-Japa-
nese alliance continuing in force. the
world influence Of the United States,
acting alone. will have a diminished
weight in shaping policies of other
powers in the far east. However, any
! policy agreed on by all the powers in
this conference, with the penalty Of In
ternaticnal Isolation for any nation
which violates 1t, will be rs binding
as II enforced by navies.
fCopyrirht, l0Sl)