The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-07-18
JAPAN AN EMPIRE
 DIVIDED ON GREAT
 ARMAMENT ISSUE
On One Side Is Fear Anglo SaxonS Will Dominate Con- ference, While Other
 Demands Entry
By Associated Press


 Tokfo, July 16.-Japan today seems an empire divided on the great issue cneated by the summons of Preside Harding to e conference on dl@ o mament and far eastern prob Q On one side, largely in the ra1 2 the bureaucrats, there is fe $ the proposed conference will 6>an- mated by the Anglo-saxons a. 2may result in strangliag Japan's political and economic development in Asia.
 On the other side Is powerful group, which demands that Japan en- ter into the deliberations fearlessly, submitting her wants resolutely, and not opposing Just claims. Hag giing and pickering, they insist, will rain the cause of Japan.
 Agree Crisis Is Faced
 Both camps agree that Japan Is facing 8 crisis. requiring tact and largeness of vision. Many members of the privy council, according to the well informed newspaper Chusai Shogyo Shimpo, are pessimistic aoout the conference; they contend that the proposal to discuss problems and pol lC1eS or LnS lar east ihNiSotN7 " VT eration between the United tSates and Great Britain in an attempt to settle international questions favorably Tor them, an indication of which was to be seen in the attitude of the Eng fish toward the Anglo-Japanese alli- ance.
 The invitation to China to join in the conference. it Is further urged, IS additional evidence in support Of the theory of & secret purpose on the part of the Anglo Saxon nations in calling the conference. They argue that China doubtless will strive, with the support of England and America for a settlement of questions in her favor. resulting in injury to Japanese fnterests in China. The councillors are quoted as saying:
 "Japan should make participation conditional on the settlement on all questions between Japan and the United States, including opening the economic door of all territories Tn the Pacific to Orientals."
 Press Condemns Pessimfsts
 The newspapers Jiji Shimpo and Niehi Nichi condemn the pessimlsts' and urge Japan to go forward With out hesitation and present her case to the world. The Nichi Nichl says We have become sensitive, nerv- ous nation-neurasthen If we are isolated. we need not necessarily Tear it. It Is more important for us 10 destroy the national disease Of rear and suspicion and achieve our resur- rection."
 The choice of Japan's delegation for the Washington conference IS ex- ercisIng the press, which demands the abiest representatives. It has been suggested that Premier Takasni Hara should go, but it Is believed his lack of knowledge. of the English language would disqualify him.
 Fate of Empire at Stake
 "The fate of the empire depends on the conference" says the Koko- min. Japan should reject with reso- lution proposals impairing rights legitimately secured and should se- code from the conference If the sit uaticn so requires"
 After expressing the opinion that the invitation to China is incompre- hensible,, considering the disordered conditions In China, the newspaper says 1t seems probable that the United States, failing to curb Japan's activities at Paris, has sought new opportunity In the form of a Pacific conference. The future worlds mar
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