New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-07-15
japan Raises
(. Initial Hitch
On Disarrr1ing,
CONTINUED from pnes onO


sions in by excluding specific questions
and for the present they do not admit
that such limitation may be the alter
native TO the equally unwelcome situa-
ton of q conference without Japanese
participation.
Rafting of German Sword
In holding that limitation of the
conference might defeat it's purpose
by nterposing an impossible barrier
at q critical stage of the negotiations,
the American officials have in mind
many significant lessons of diplomatic
history. AS an example of how such
hindrances develop 1t is recalled that
in the second peace conference at The
Hague the entire program of accomp-
lshment was wrecked when the mill
tary delegate from Germany rose in
dignantly at the suggestion Of an arm
ament reduction and ratified his sword
in literal and eloquent sense to en-
phasize that his instructions from his
Emperor did not permit him to speak
of that subject at ALL
AS it is understood here, the feeling
of Japanese statesmen is that there
are many vital questions which ought
not to be opened up to Worldwide de-
bate in the present state of world re-
iations.
1t is understood that none Of these
questions are mentioned by name in
the note to this government, but
among officials here there is poignant
realization of what they are. 1t is
held to be easily conceivable that the
objection might be applied, for in
stance, to such objects as disposition
of the Island of zap, japanese occupa-
tion of the northern half Of Saghalien.
the Shantung concessions, the proposal
to abolish extra territorial rights in
China, and n long list of other more
or less troublesome elements in Far
Eastern relations.
Although the State DEPARTING *
holding the entire diplomatic CORE
spondence relative to the conference in
confidence for the present, officials in
Dictated to day that it was the purpose
to make it public at some future time,
presumably when the negotiations
have reached a successful conclusion.
This in itself was taken to indicate
the confidence Of the department that
an agreement would result
Meantime it became known that fur
Their informal communications of a
sympathetic nature had reached the de-
partment from nations not invited to
echoes of disappointment at limitation
of the membership to the five big pow
ers and China had come in with these
expressions was not revealed, but it
was indicated that there had at least
been no open complaints from any un-
invited nation.
Holland, said to contemplate an ex-
tensive naval building program to pro
tect her East Indian possessions, md
Belgium, with her memory of the Ger
man invasion, are the nations chiefly
mentioned in press dispatches as likely
to harbor feeling of pique at not be-
ing invited. The indications here were
that although it was suggested to hold
the membership within narrow limits
in the interests of efficiency no nation
which could represent reasonable
claim to participation would find any
obstacles placed in her way by the
American government.
Women Ask Representation
1t is presumed, however, that none Of
the smaller countries will risk endan-
gering the working capacity of the con-
ference by making any claim to repre-
sentaticn not based on causes aDso-
lutely vital.
SO far have the officials here gone in
their preparations for the meeting that
the attention of the War and Navy
departments is beginning to turn to the
possibility that they can be Of assist
ance in providing material for the ne
gotiations 1t was said to-day that the
departments stood ready to select ex-
perts to prepare such data as might be
desired and to offer such advice as
might be sought in the course of the
parleys.
Another feature of the prospective
conference bobbed up when the women s
committee for world disarmament, in
session here, announced they would
urge President Harding to appoint "A
lust representa ton of women ON the