The Washington herald., 1921-09-26
The Agenda.

TINE program of the Washington conference
is practically agreed upon. There is some
criticism from Great Britain, France and
Japan, but as yet this seems be unofficial. These
countries are but pursuing their usual method of
throwing out "feelers" public opinion. What
is done officially will depend largely upon the
response So it is that from each country come
supposed objections originating close enough to
the various governments to give them certain inn
portance. without involving the responsible
authorities
This process has become so familiar that it
would be remarkable if omitted, and is much
key to others to the country of origin.
- In this way Great Britain says to France, Japan
r and Italy, with question mark at the end that the
~ proposals from the United States too general
in their terms. Great Britain will require that they
~ be made specific. France indicates to the
., others that she discuss limitation of land
armaments unless given specific guarantees of pro-
~, lection. Japan's feeler has do with racial
equality and matters against which, under an in
60 ternational statute of limitations, should be con-
n, sidered as closed incidents.
%" They wait to hear from each other, from their
own people, and from this country, while Secre-
tary Hughes, undisturbed, waits until there is some
,foow-up evidence OF concerted action, not merely
isolated and tentative perhaps" In the mean
while no one is fooing anyone trying to
vital objection as to almost assure the program
to stand practically made public.
First comes limitation of armament which
is apt to be last in any settlement which may be
reached. Next are Far East questions to China
o.. and Siberia with seven subheads under which
. pretty much anything may be discussed, though
nothing specific is mentioned. The word SHAN
r tung" does appear any other which might
arouse scnsitivcness or a feeling that any one
power more than another is interest If there
is any tar on any stick, than another
:, need claim the stick.
Territorial integrity, administrative integrity
(dOes this mean the same as political nde-
pcndcnce?); open door interpreted as equality of
commercial and industrial opportunity; develop
of railways; preferential railroad rates, and
o. status OF existing commitments, leave nothing I'M
covered and offer nothing which is an irritant To
except anything specifically from any Of these
general headings, would be much like a plea of
guilty. The third heading is inundated islands, un-
less questions earlier settled, they are expected
to be, this being already almost assured.
The framing OF the agenda is credit to
American diplomacy. 1t must the admira-
ton and envy OF the older governments who have
regarded this one as rather a bungler in foreign
affairs and quite in any proposal, to leave open
ways for horses and carts. But in all this agenda
there is nothing to misconstrue; there is note
OF selfishness over-reaching; of implied
complacent superiority. There is nothing asked
nor offered; nothing of special interest favor.
Yet it is difficult to anything in it which may
be sought conclusion not already in operation
under the American policy known as the Monroe
doctrine.