The New York herald., 1921-11-04
j. s. PUTS FAR EAST
BEFORE ARMS Limit
Will Insist Settlement Of Pa
cific Issues Take Prece-
dence at Conference.
JAPANESE FOR REVERSE
China Will Ask That All Con-
tracts Affecting Republic
Be Barred.
JAPANESE FOR REVERSE

specioE Despatch to THE New York HERALD.
Now York Herald Bureau,
Washington, ID. C., Nov. 3.
The United States will take the po-
sition In the arms conference that the
basis for a limitation of ar1naments
cannot be determined except stimuli
taneously with the settlement Of Far
Eastern and other controversial prob
lems or afterward That was made
plain In official quarters to-day.
1t became known in other quarters
that Japan Is urging the determina-
ton of basis for the limitation of
ornaments before the Far Eastern
problems are discussed. The differ
ence Of opinion. together with adop-
ton and Interpretation Of the agenda,
is expected to furnish the first de-
velopment of the respective positions
Of the nations at the conference.
The agenda proposed by Secretary
Of State Hughes to the Powers on
September II, to which has since been
added the subject of electrical COM
munications in the Pacific. has not
been formally approved. although
none Of the nations has registered
formal objection to 1t. Japan in ac-
cepting the invitation of President
Harding suggested that matters OF
accomplished fact and problems of
special interest wholly to any two ma
tions should be eliminated from con-
sideration of the conference.
The American position assumes that
the call for the conference. which In
cluded the Far Eastern questions, carries
the Importance OF having both questions
decided either simultaneously or in the
order Of the political problems first.
The American position on armament
will be determined largely by the po-
Iitical decisions bearing on such i'm
portant questions as the Anglo-Japanese
alliance. the open door in China and cog
nate issues.
Reports OF diplomatic manoeuvres in
Europe since issuance OF the call for the
conference indicate that Japan is en-
deavoring to induce France. Italy and
Great Britain to support the secret
agreements they made with Japan dur
ing the war. which were unknown to this
Government up to the time OF the Yer
sailles conference. If the japanese are
successful In this they will have an add
ed argument in insisting that the Shan
tung agreement and other dispositions
made by the Versailles conference be
regarded as accomplished facts and
therefore not within the purview of the
conference.
While there has been no official an
nouncement by the American Govern
ment, il is understood on good authorits
that the American delegation will in
sist that no dispositions of the Ver-
sailies conference arc binding so far as
they affect the interests Of the 5nited
States anywhere In the world. This will
be in line with the first notes which
Secretary of State Hughes sent to the
Powers. In these he insisted vigorously
that the United States was covictor in
the war. was entitled to share In all dis
positions resulting from the war and
that Its rights 80 accruing could not be
adversely affected by a peace when
this Government has not agreed to.
So far as concerns the question OF
which shall be discussed first. limitation
OF armaments or the Far Eastern prob
lem. the United States recognizes the
limitation of armaments Is the subject In
which the public is most deeply inter-
cstcd. 1t ls hoped there will be no
d'fficulty in understanding that b. fore
armaments can be limited the causes
for their swollen condition must he
eradicated.
The Chinese delegation. which Is now
here. having staked It's political future
upon its fiRht for maintenance of the
open door policy IL preparing TO take a
daring step. The Chinese delegates will
ask. as they will have he right 10 do.
that all secret agreements entered q into
by foreign Powers with China be placed
on the conference table They will do
this on the theory that II the world Is
to determine what IL shall do with China
4! IL we'll that the world should know
what agreements have already been
reached. Some OF these the present
Chinese delegates do not themselves
know.
The Chinese delegation also will call
for any agreements by any OF the
Powers with W rious leaders in China
which are regarded as binding. In
effect. the Chinese delegates will ask
that fresh start be made In dealing
with the Chinese Renubic.
II was officially explained to-day that
the American delegation continues 70
favor the greatest degree OF publicity
compatible with the progress Of the con-
ference.