Evening star., 1921-07-17
BY HENRY w. BUM.

Copyright. 1921. by The Washington star)
~ HE following is a brief summary Of the
most important news Of the world for
the seven days ended July 16.
THE WASHINGTON CONFER
ENCE.-The principal event Of the
week the action of President Harding In
inviting the governments of the principal allied
powers to send representatives to Washington to
Join representatives. of the United States In
conference looking to reduction Of ornaments,
and in extending his Invitation. 1T is manifest"
said an announcement Of our State Department,
that the question of limitation of ornaments
has close relation to Pacific and far eastern prob
lens. and the President has suggested that the
powers especially interested in these problems
should undertake in connection with this confer
the consideration of all matters bearing upon
their solution with a view of reaching COM
mon understanding with respect to principles and
policies in the far east. This has been COM
municated to the powers concerned. and China
has also been invited to taAe part In the dis
cussion relating to far eastern problems"
Most critics throughout the world agreed
that discussion of the problems of the Pacific and
far east should precede discussion of reduction
of ornaments before "a common understanding
with respect to principles and policies In the far
east has been reached. On the other hand.
some critics, not necessarily cynical think that
to attempt large matter is to court almost
certain failure. that it would be best to go slow.
contemplated by the Borah amendment: not
to rush the millennium. However that may be.
the larger attempt is to be made; probably
duction Of land well naval armaments will
be discussed not impossibly attempt will be
made to lay foundation for that new "associa-
tion Of nations contemplated by our admnistra-
tion
In France the press does not expect much from
discussion military forces France would joy
fully reduce her army If she could secure reliable
and continuing guarantees effective her
army to keep Germany disarmed and to enforce
reparation payments but she doubts such guar
antees will be forthcoming
OF course the most important of the far
eastern problems is the problem of China. 1t is
surely not coincidence that the other day
Secretary Hughes dispatched a vigorous note to
China, reafirmng the American policy Of the
open door" and equality Of opportunity" in
China. A common understanding respecting
China, to be agreeable to the United States must
imply not merely equality of trade opportunities
in China to the several nations but also agree
ment to protect China against every species Of
cheating and exploitation and bullying. A COM
mon understanding respecting eastern Siberia, to
be acceptable to our government, must be Of
much the same sort. The United States will be a
kind OF unofficial trustee OF the ''expectant cs-
tates' of the democratic. federated Russia to be-
- But all this is .supposng." Surprising that
Japan will accept the invitation to discuss Pacific
and far eastern problems 1t has been shrewdy
pointed out that for Japan to consent must
hurt her pride much it would hurt to
consent to discussion Of South American prob
lens with Japan and other powers. For Japan
to adhere to such understandings these suS-
gcsted would be to abandon certain grandiose
ambitions. Therefore might expect Japan to
hesitate to accept President Hardings invitation
in full. Japan has replied. agreeing TO confer on