The New York herald., 1921-07-16
NORTHCLIFFE PRESS
FIRE A BOOMERANG
Criticism of Lloyd George and
CurzOn Makes Their Com
ing More Certain.
BIZ the Associated Press.


LONDON. July 15.-It has only just be-
come known here, through semi-offi-
cial Japanese statement that while it is
ready to enter a conference on general
disarmament the Japanese Government
is seeking from the Washington Govern
and scope of the proposed discussion on
Pacific affairs.
This attitude on the part of Japan
had not been generally anticipated.
therefore it has not been the subject of
comment, the English papers only hav-
ing foreseen possible difficulties from
the inclusion of France and Italy in the
discussions.
The recent attack Of the London Times
on Premier Lloyd George and Lord
Curzon, the Foreign Secretary. in which
the paper declared they would not be
qualified to attend the Washington dis
armament conference for Great Britain,
has had the effect of driving comment
in the direction of discussion of the
question of who best would represent the
country. In this connection the attack
had the opposite effect from that in
tended, namely, general support of the
two statesmen, even from the papers
ordinarily opposing the Government.
Provided the affairs of state permit
the Prime Minister'S absence, the gen.
eral view is that the mere fact the at
tack occurred makes it more imperative
II an before for Mr.. Lloyd George and
Lord Curzon to go to Washington.
The weekly reviews comment at
great length on the invitation of Presi-
dent Harding. Both the Spectator and
the Nation agree it would be much pre-
ferred for Great Britain not to enter
the conference arm in arm with Japan.
the Spectator pointing out that the
mere explanation that Great Britain
and Japan have undertaken to interpret
the Anglo-Japanese alliance in accord
ance with the covenant of the League of
Nations will not be sufficient to allay
American suspicious.
The Nation argues there can be no
agreement about the fleets while Eng
land is bound to support Japan diplo-
maticaly. even against the United
States, and believes that as long as
Great Britain covers Japan with her
moral support Japanese aggressions in
China will continue"
An enthusiastic feeling is shown by all
the reviews over the initiative of Presi-
dent Harding, but they are rather scepti-
cal as to the possible achievements. The
Nation regrets the exclusion of Russia.
GeTmauy anu tne utulrdis, anu dShs
what will be done about Russia, (which
is also Pacific Power with a case fully
as strong as China's against armed Jap
anese aggression
After declaring that unless Mr.. Lloyd
George brings himself to the point of
denouncing the Japanese alliance the
conference will fail, the Nation says.
"The conference not only is great op
portunity, but also n great danger. for
failure will lead to bitter and costly ri
valry with the strongest Power in the
world--a power above all others with
which we should wish to be on good
terms"
AS to the question of a preliminary
conference to be held in London, num-
ber of newspapers printed dispatches
from Washington, most of which indi-
Gated such preliminary meeting
would not be favored in America 1t
was argued in some quarters the idea
should, therefore, be abandoned.
The view that 1t was improbable the
Washington parley could be held in No
vember IL the Pacific question was to be
then discussed was expressed by the
Daily Mail The newspaper said neither
Australia nor New Zealand would b.
willing to have Pacific matters discussed
at any meeting where they were not di-
rectly represented and that the political
engagements of Premiers Hughes and
| Massey are such as not to allow them
to leave their respective countries before
next spring.
| The British League of Nations Union
! is anxious not to appear opposed to Mr..
Hardings proposed conference and has
| issued a statement saying:
The idea that there can exist any
| incompatibility or rivalry between the
| two efforts for the same end will receive
no support from any intelligent protas-
| onist of the league. This union desires
to associate itself with virtually all
British subjects in expressing satisfac-
tion over this new move for peace and in
extending congratulations to President
Harding for his courageous and states
manlike initiative"