Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-12-06
Jaba,r IN the Arms Conferenc
eHnSE who expected Japan to be the
stumbling block of the Arms conflr-


- ence must now pipe to happier
tune. Whether the latest and most optim1s-
tic forecast will fully mat slialize is yet TO
appear. That the glO-Japanese alliance villa
be cancelled, giving place to an understand
ing among America, Great britain, Japan
and France for the maintenance OF peace In
the Pacific and the Far East; that in accord
ance with this purpose there shall be no
further Notification Of remote Pacific Is
lands and that with this reinsurance Japan,
withdrawing her plea for larger proper
ton of armament, will accept the Hughes
ratio of 5-5-3-such is the highly cheering.
though unofficial, augury from Washington
There is no discernible reason to doubt
that this, for the most part, will come to
pass Certainly, such a settlement Woulo
serve the rightful interests OF the several
nations chiefly concerned, an, serve also the
great end of world amity and peace. More
over, 1t accords with the known preferences
OF the Powers and the peoples involved. the
sAnglo-Japanese alliance, unpopular in the
British Isles as well as in Australia, New
/ Zealand and Canada, safeguards no right
which could not be better conserved by an
understanding broadened to include America
and France. Fertilization of the Pacific is
lands question which seems to have exer-
cised the Japanese mind far more than 1t
has the naval authorities of the United
States, may well be suspended for ten-year
period, or permanently. if thereby Japan's
full and hearty acquiescence in the American
armament reduction program will be Sc
cured.
On all these vital matters, it appears, Mr..
Hughes and Mr.. Balfour~ are in agreement
for their respective Governments; while
Baron Kato, himself cordially asserting, has
cabled the proposals to Toxic in the belief
that they will be ultimately sanctioned. The
next few days should show the trend, if not
the conclusion.
Meanwhile fair observers can but be i'm
pressed by the clement and equitable spirit
which the Japanese delegates in the Wash
ingtOn Conference have manifested, On es-
sentials they have spoken literally, con-
structively, and with friendliness toward
Kato could be taken precisely as statement
OF American policy. Said he, 1--WE have
come to this conference not to advance our
own selfish interests; we have come to CO.
operate with all nations 4.lterested for the
purpose OF assuring peace in the Far East
and friendship among all nations" Touch
ing, matter in which Americans are pecu-
arly and additionally interested-the terri
torial integrity of China Ind the "Open
Door"-the Japanese leader said: 1--WE adj
here without condition or reservation to the
principle of the Open Door and Equal OPP
portunity' in China. We look to China in
particular for the supply Of raw materials es-
sential to our industrial life and for food
stufs as WELL In the purchase of such ma
terials from China, as in all our trade rela-
I, special rights and privile ges, and we well
come fair and honest competition with all
nations" Avowing to the Conference that
his Government was not instigated t'by any
policy of territorial ACKNOWLEDGMENT in any
part of China" Baron Kato subsequently
told Washington newspaper correspondents,
in reply to their specific question, Japan
considers Manchuria as being a part Of
China" 1
II these utterances do not represent the
srao mt aud -
responsible statesmen are playing an ex-
ceedingly' short-sighted and foolishly dan
gerous game-a course hardly to be expected
OF them. For should their words prove but
words, unredeemeo in good faith, their ma
: tion would emerge from the Arms Confer
i ence and the sequent history so thoroughly
.sdiscredited that her every material interest
would suffer beyond measure. Far more like
!, ly is IL that the Japanese, It least the sober
thinking majority of them. will astutely see
the matchless opportunity of this hour and
will bid their empire go forward with the
new hope of new day in the world