The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-11-22

with a. chronic menace hanging over
her. it would be criminal folly for
France to relax her vigilance" and re-
ferring to Secretary Hughes remarks
about safety for the institutions of
liberty says:
THE institutions of liberty will not
be safe until Germany undergoes a
change of heart"
The Daily Mail comments in sim
liar vein and the Daily Telegraph is
also sympathetic with Frances posi-
ton. Reviewing the existing military
situation in Europe the latter news
paper says, THE idea of limitation of
land ornaments by agreement is con-
fined at present to the world of ideas.
The matter is not yet ripe for inter
national action"
Hostile Toward Russia
The Daily Chronicle on the other
hand assures France that aItho the
American senate rejected the sugges-
ton for a joint Americana English
on the support of both of them in the
event of German aggression. The
newspaper says that when French
statesmen speak of further disarma-
ment of Germany, one would like TO
know just what they mean and what
they would wish done that has not al
ready been done.
France is accused by the same news
paper of maintaining a hostile policy
toward Russia with the sort of hos
tility which tends to perpetuate what
1t opposes The Washington con-
ference sees little hope OF France
placing herself among the fdealists'
and says no power can expect to re-
ceive benefits unless it makes sacrf-
fices. 1t adds, eff the self denial of
the powers is to be limited to the ex-
pectation of sacrifices by others, it
were better that the conference had
never met"
Japan May Be Isolated.
Berlin, Nov. 22.-Japan, altho one
of Germany's foes in the World war,
continues TO command increasing
measures of sympathy and interest
from the newspaper commentators
writing on the Washington conference.
Much of the comment is given over to
speculation as to whether Japan can
avoid being left at the post in what is
termed the jockeying for position in
the race for prestige in the Pacific. 1t
is also asked whether she will be able
to escape 1.-The policy of encirclement'
to which Germany is represented as
falling victim.
Should Japan emerge from the con-
ference as an isolated power, the edi-
tor,al writers believe she will be
forced to seek economic and political
orientation in the direction of Russia
with terminal facilities in Germany.
"A community of interests" compr.s-
ing Teutons, Slavs and the yellow
races is suggested as one of the posi-
bilities to be reckoned with in max
ing over the post war world. Thus
Germany conceives a new constella-
ton in which the fatherland is des-
tined to shine brightly.
Berlin Papers Say Little.
Such speculation is not confined to
the lay mind. but is presented in all
solemnity in higher quarters where it
is believed the absence from the con-
ference of Germany and Russia will
mean the eventual curtailment of
Japan's sphere of influence. Aside
from these conjectures, both public
and official Germany continues to
evince only passing interest in the
progress of the conference. There
have been expressions of approval of
the meeting and it's aims from time
to time, but these were merely the
sporadic utteranees of professional
pacifists. The former military leaders
maintain an attitude of skepticism.
The bulk of newspapers give the
proceedings in Washington only per-
functory display among routine news
and in their editorial comment advo-
cate suspending judgment until posi-
tive results are achieved