The New York herald., 1921-09-15
U.SAND JAPAN CLASH
F|RSTN ARMSPARLEY
Nature Of Agenda Expected
to Cause Conflict OF Opinion
Between Two Nations.
SUGGESTIONS ARE SOUGHT
Holland and Belgium, Not In
vited to Conference, Left
Out of Discussions.
Special Despatch to THE New YonK HERALD

New York Herald Bureau.
Washington. ID. c., Sept. II.
Tentative suggestions for the agenda
of the approaching arms conference
have been made by the State Depart
ment to the Powers invited to the
gathering. China is included so far as
the Far Eastern problem is concerned.
Since Holland and Belgium have not
yet been formally invited they have
not been listed in the discussions.
Action by the United States taken
three days ago was at the suggestion
of the allied Powers and was to ar
range a basis of discussion expected to
result in an agreement on what shall
be taken up.
The suggestions assume the existence
of two schools of thought, one believing
the agenda should be general In scope
and the other that they should be def
inite and detailed.
This Government favors q more gen.
eral form Of agcnda, one that will make
1t possible for the conference to discuss
all outstanding questions with a bearing
on the limitation OF armaments and
upon the Far Eastern question. the
settlement Of which is necessary pre-
liminary to any agreement on iimita-
tion of armament.
This preliminary discussion of the
agenda furnishes the first diplomatic
contest OF the conference. friendly In Its
nature but expected to have a deter
mined character. As the European
Powers have generally assumed the
United States. as the host Of the gath
ering. shall be the spokesman in sug-
gesting the nature OF the agenda, the
initial conflict of opinion will be be-
tween Japan and the United States.
State Department officials refused to
discuss the nature OF the tentative pro-
posals further than to admit having
submitted them. and It was made plain
that suggestions from Toxic and other
places purporting 20 give the nature of
the American proposals were wide OF
the mark. Until the replies of the Gov
ernments shall have been received no
announcement will be made concerning
the subjects included.
If general form of agenda Is adopted.
such as was used at the Versailles con-
ference. the following represents a fair
outline of what this Government would
like to have placed before tho confer
ence:
/. The open door and an equal op-
portunity for all in the Far East
and in mandate territories as well.
.. The territorial integrity OF Rus
sia in Siberia. the open door there
with equal opportunity. the Powers
to constitute themselves benevolent
guardians for the protection of Rus
sia until such time as Russia shall
rehabilitate herself
3. The same application OF the prin-
ciples of the open door and territorial
integrity for China and the substi-
tuition OF International cooperation
for the former practice of spheres
of influence and foreign exploitation
OF China.
Other general subjects would includa ;
the question of Notifications in the Pa
cific, question OF immigration, &C.
II more detailed agenda be desired
ond insisted upon. then this country
will ask that all the cards be placed
upon the table.
Information coming to Washington Is
that japan Is much more willing to
admit the discussion Of all germane sub
jects than was indicated in her accep-
tance of the invitation. Public senti-
ment In japan Is said to be undergoing
radical change due to a more COM
plete understanding that the United
States will not enter the conference as
an attorney for China nor as an enemy
OF Japan.
This determination OF policy has been
made clear to Japanese representatives
here. II Is acknowledged that In some
instances the Chinese and American in
terests will be parallel. but where th,y
divcrge the United States will pursue
an independent course. Above every
thing elss II In the desire OF this Gov
ernment to reach friendly understand
ing with Japan that will wipe out all
causes OF differences which might
threaten future conflicts.