Evening star., 1921-06-23
Editorial Digest
Discussions With japan.

The direct negotiations" now go
ing on between Secretary Hughes
and the japanese ambassador in
Washington. are hailed by the news
papers almost without exception as
the beginning of the end of the mis-
understandings that have arisen be-
tween Japan and the United States,
and magnified to war rumors by cer-
tain elements in both countries. While
there are a few writer's who would
prefer to see the question "thrashed
out by the league of nations" for
the most part there is sympathetic
response to the idea of talking mat
ters over man to man."
The Chattanooga Times (independ-
f~al that the case of the United States
is sessSusly handicapped because we
are nsA n the league. Japan. know
ing that rArause we did not join the
covenant 40 cannot secure the CO.
operation Of ser former allies in the
provoke us into :rosSiiit.es": however.
the people NSI support Secretary
Hughes in any effort he may make
TO bring about more amicable rela-
lions between the two countries"
A similar spirit Is apparent in the
comment Of the Newark News Gnde-
pendentl. when it says: by direct
negotiation Secretary Hughes may be
able to take some of the kinks cut of
our relations with Japan. but how far
that ignores the Versailles treaty,
which Japan has signed, and the
MEMBER"
Favoring the step but questioning
| Its motives. the Pittsburgh Sun (demo-
cratic) remarks that the action is
Que more to desire on the part Of
washington to avoid recognizing the
league than desire to speed a set
tlement. IN no way affects the ISSUE"
ana II the negotiations fail the
league will remain as a natural re-
source. which Mr.. Harding and Mr..
Hughes will hardly dare ignore"
rms attitude is challenged by the
Manchester Union independent re-
puoiican): which has an idea that a
GOOD deal more is to be got out of
this way of doing things than can be
hoped for by following the circuitous
route through the supreme council
! and the league Of nations" Already
news of the conversations is such that
the Union sees "a spirit of compro-
mise on both sides OF the Pacif1c.'
The Pittsburgh Chronicle-Te
(republican) holds a similar view. de-
clarlng that there is no reason why
we cannot get together with Japan
anu eHtef ou d new era or good feel-
ing. without the aid or consent of any
| other nations" Indeed, Americans
will be better satisfied with an ad-
! 5ustment made by the Japanese am
bassador and Eecretary Hughes" says
the Pittsburgh Leader progressive
republican,. than if the several ques-
| tions, especially tina. relating to Yap,
were thrown into the supreme coun-
Gil" These conversations. the Leader
predicts. will doubtless furnish the
| necessary proof that we have never
stood in the shadow of military dam
ger from Japan"
Direct craftsmanship is a solution
to many Of the troubles that nations
are heir to-" says the Florida Me-
tropolis (democratic), and means GER
tain disappointment to the alarmists
that class that howls wolf every time
| black speck appears in the sky"
The attempt to put this method into
practice will be found fault with by
nobody" says the Des Moines Reg
| lister independent republican,. Eek
cept one with a direct desire" to pre-
vent good relations between Japan
and America.
While most Of the papers express no
doubt that the two statesmen will be
| able" as the Sioux City journal Ore
| publican) puts it, ''to dissipate all
| countries" some object to the fact that
discussion Of the Shantung question is
on the "agenda-" This is a matter, as
serts the Florida Times Union (demo-
cratic). for settlement between China
and Japan" and. adds the Oklahoma
City Oklahoman (democratic), mot Of
direct interest to this country" for "if
it is to be the policy of the United
States to maintain hands Off policy in
regard to European and Asatic affairs
the American government should not
discuss the Shantung problem
The Norfolk Ledger Dispatch (inde-
pendent democratic) says: IF the
more or less acute questions between
the two powers are got out of the way
especially if that is accomplished with
out interposition Of other powers, the
problem Of limitation of armament will
| be. or should be. settled without great
difficulty. And it appears likely from
the reports that these troublous ques-
tions will be settled
The Atlanta Journal (democratic)
also takes the position that Japan is
now in the receptive mood to accept the
suggestions for checking the naval race,
for "a power that seriously contemplated
equaling our maritime strength. much
less exceeding it. could never afford to
take Japan's present attitude" The
New York Mail independently also looks
upon "the news of the Hughes-Shide-
hara conversations as an excellent
omen" foretelling Fastening of the
disarmament conference.