The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1921-11-02

standings. Europe mas revealed the HIS
chief which system of alliances devel-
ops The formation of an alliance in
Central Europe between Germany, Aus
tria-Hungary and Italy was Offset only
by an entente cordiale between Great
Britain, France and Russia. It led to
war.
But the objection to the Anglo-Japanese
alliance has not been merely that it sets
up England, the greatest naval power in
the world. as working partner of Japan
with whom America has been having in
recent years some troublesome disputes,
1t is that spurred on by the knowledge
of such a partnership the Japanese have
assumed an attitude toward China
wherein American. French, British. Ger
man and Russian interests were likely to
be permanently injured. OF course Tor
the moment. Germany and Russia are out
of it, but essentially it Is the grouping OF
Europe and America on the one hand and
Japan on the other Would England
stand by her European friends and her
American kinsmen and would she bring
Janan within the circle of international
concord and compel her military leaders
to refrain from acts which spelled ultI-
mate domination of China and Eastern
ASIA " uulO EHSlduu utiD tl iEItAtA Wv
task of making Japan play the game on
plane of equality with other nat1ons
Would Japan pledge herself to help re-
store the sovereignty of China which has
become the catspaw of nations!
L. :. Had to Act Alone.
Great britain has INSISTED that her
alliance prevented her from making pro-
tests to Japan. 1t has been left to the
United States alone to keep a vigilant eye
on Japanese prPtensions.
The crisis came at the time the DoniH-
ion premiers were i'm session. The Brit
ish government didn't want to offend
Japan by publicly refusing to renew the
AnglO-IapaneSe alliance. What would
be the good Of that. II was argued 1t
would only drive Japan into an attitude
Of hostility.
Japan need not fear impoverished Rus
STA or helpless Germany. She need only
be concerned about Great Britain and the
United States. Financially distressed as
is the British empire. Japan might feel
herself capable Of going it alone in the
Ear East. Britain was too much alb
s0rbed in domestic troubles to disturb
Japan's pretensions while the United
States was not inclined to go to war over
Chinas plight. She was too far away
and her people We're already sick of war
expenditure. Japan, however, had OK
pended little money during the war and
was near enough to China TO offer the
japanese imperialist golden opportunities
for commercial gain by exploiting China
resources.
England Asks L. 5. Help.
Great Britain counselled against the
abrupt cancellation of the AnglO-Japanese
alliance. Couldn't some other way be
found to accomplish the same end and at
the same time prevent Japanese aggres-
sion? Diplomacy moves in strange ways
its wonders to perform. Couldn't the
United States lend helping hand?
Just about the same time that the inn
perial conference was meeting in London
and the premier of Canada was express
ing himself frankly on the subject of re-
newing the AnglO-Iapanese alliance, pub
lie sentiment in the United States was
being marshalcd in favor of a reduction
of armament Senator Borah's pleas were
being needed. The tax burden was 81
heavy that the calling of an armament
to stop the race in armHments was advo-
Gated on every side. President Harding
didn't favor the Borah resolution because
it limited the conference merely to Great
Britain. the United States and Japan.
He insisted that it ought to include all the
major powers.
What Ambassador Harvey Did.
Then it was that an unwritten but
significant CHAPTER developed in London.
President Harding admitted publicly that
he had been sounding out the powers on
the subject of an armament conference
Ambassador Harvey was entrusted with
that mission. America wanted an arma-
ment conference called-England wanted
something done about Far Eastern prob
lens She was anxious that 4 graceful
way be found to lead her out of the di-
lemma in connection with the renewal OF
A.arrI Tn .qls al
lance. it had been decided, wQuld remain
in effect for at least another year. OF
even more unless specifically abrogated
What more natural thing than to have
Prime Minister Lloyd George or LORD
CUraoR, fereigu secretary, sit down Will
Ambassador Harvey and say something
| Ike this to him:
Why call a conference on armament
when we know that we can't reduce ON
navies till there is an agreement on diplo
matte questions especially in the Fal
/ East?"
| To which Ambassador Harvey might
4 with propriety have said
| THAT'S very true. we too are concerned
With what happens in the pacifc-many
/ OF our own people are openly saving th'
| next war viii be with Japan We woult
I Ike TO see Far Eastern questions settled
| 50 that American business enterprises vii
have an equal opportunity alongside
Japanese, British or French business a:
the case NAV be-
and the British statesmen might have
/ continued thus:
Fine. if the President of the United
States calls conference on armament
and there Is 2 discussion of Far Eastern
/ questions IN connection with it. we vii
not object. The initiative win come from
the United States and we will not be il
the position of offending Japan"
The Cali Bmgled
So President Harding issued the cal
tCnriously enough the publicity was some
what bnngled, that is. from the Europeat
iewpoint-scmething that doesn't har
pen often. Before the formal call wa
/ issued by President Harding-two day
to be exact-Prime Minister Lloyd Georg
almost let the cat out of the bag BY r.
ferr5ng mvSteriously to a diplomatic not
which had been sent to the powers and (
which replies We're expected before tn
next move in the Anglo-Japanese situa
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