The Washington herald., 1921-10-12
The Biz Three.

s w trolling factor in the state of mind, of
Great Britain and Japan toward the Wash
ington conference? That their delegations, those
OF the other governments. are coming in spirit
of entire friendiness, is beyond reasonable doubt.
The European countries, especially, in SYM
pathX with the objective Of reduced ornaments
They. much more than Japan. feel the excessive
burden of naval building and military establish
ments.
This objective is to be reached through an
agreement Far East policy which, far
formulated, is known the "open
door," But this policy, which the interests of the
United States confines, far as it is concerned
TO the Far East. applies with equal force and
justice and logic to all the of the world where
there are dependencies, backward peoples and
undeveloped countries. In this territory we de-
cline to be interested, but it is vital to all the
European governments.
AS The Herald it, the attitude of Great
Britain and Japan centers around freedom of
the seas. To them both, this is sef-protection.
Its assurance is the thing they cannot neglect
and will not risk. AS to this they will take no
chances. The whole question OF ornaments has
been wrapped up in the necessity OF guaranteeing
this for themselves by themselves. This means
navy, naval services which will keep the
seas open to them in time of war for food sup
plies and raw materials. The last war showed
this to be matter of life and death; it proved
thai Great Britain could be starved into submis
sion if cut off from oversee supplies.
This mutual condition naturally brought Great
Britain and Japan together in what amounts to
defensive alliance. 1t releases the British navy
from Eastern waters 1t permits the great home
feet 1t practically increases her navy in case OF
by adding Japan's navy. The United States
objects to this treaty, not because of possibility
Il. D.. Il
with Japan, might also have to reckon
with the British navy and more surely would be
cut off from possibility of British support.
1Objecting to this treaty, the United States
also asks that all countries, especially
Japan, waive their preferences and advantages
secured in China and give equal opportunity to
American trade, This position is not all atrustic
there is that element, but back of this is trade
opportunity in country with the greatest po-
tental and actual trade opportunities, and when
these have largely been pre-empted by others
who have not been backward, while this country
hestated what called dollar diplomacy"
Under these conditions, is the United States
in order to free China and get the resulting
trade opportunities, ready to join with Great
Britain and Japan in open sea- policy when
the three fleets will operate to assure to
all, in any and every contingency, food supplies
and raw materials? The rest of the world
knows international friendships only expressed
in the positive terms of at least defensive al
lance. Will the United States now, or ever, enter
such an alliance for ideal and very positive
and real benefit?
If it will not, what would seem to be the al
tentative? May it not be forcing even closer
relation between Great Britain and Japan with
a renewal OF their treaty? May this not carry a
rivalry in naval building when this country for
its own safety because of our Pacific possessions
and Pacific trade would be forced to the fixed
policy OF "the greatest navy in the world, en-
failing the building of ships at than twice
the cost to Japan, while Japan completed her
absorption OF China and Siberia with their enorm-
Gus resources? There two sides to every
thing and it is just as we'll for this people to
know that its Pacific contention is not a jug
handle.