New-York tribune., 1921-02-07
Big Problems
OF Diplomacy
Up to Harding
Japanese Situation, Mexican
Question, Disarmament
and Others of Moment
Left 10 the New President
Senator'S in a Quandary
Knox Resolution Providing
for Peace With Germany
Is To BE Speeded d
BY Carter Field

asaiy Tor the last raw weeks an addi-
tional snarl has been twisted into the
International situation which will con.
front Warren G. Harding March 4
The new President and his Secretary
OF State will be up against problems sc
complicated by conflicting interests, sc
torn by cross currents, that diplomats
and Senator's who are students of for.
eign relations are at loss almost ever
for speculation as to what course viii
be pursued. To state justa few OF
them there are:
The Japanese situation growing out
of the California land laws, an at
tempt TO smooth over which already
has resulted in loud outcries by the
California Senator'S.
The discussions which representa-
tives of the British dominions have
been holding with Senator Lodge as
to some plan of these dominions and
the United States presenting united
front to Japan.
The Mexican situation, which ap-
parently the Wilson Administration
intends to leave on Harding's door
step, just as Taft left it on Wilson's.
The disarmament proposal. with
its important relations to Great
Britain and Japan.
Allied Debts Big Problem
The situation involved in foreign
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interest thereon, about which whole
sfair either the British Chancellor
OF the Exchequer is guilty of an ex-
traordinary blunder or else the Will
son Administration has been conceal
ing the truth Erom the American
people.
The peremptory demand by the
United States tLat Japan cease from
occupying the other half of Saghalien
Island, and cease the attempt to set
up buffer states in the south of ST.
IBERIA.
The protest against Britain and
France restricting development of
natural resources of mandate terri
tory. notably in Mesopotamia, to
their own nationals.
The Cuban situation, which may
easily lead at any time to the neces-
sity for intervention.
The dispute with Japan over Amer
lean rights. particularly cable rights.
In the island of Yap, and also the
general cable situation
The Chinese situation, involving
both the consortium and the open
door policy,
The Turkish-Armenian dispute,
which Wilson has declared involves
the whole question of attacks by
small states. encouraged by larger
ones on Russia. =.
Recognition of Soviet Russia
The problem about Russian trade
and recognition of Soviet Russia.
The Irish situation.
Panama Canal tolls, involving, il il
is raised, as Mr.. Harding promised,
the reopening of the dispute with
Britain over the construction OF the
Hay-Paunceforte treaty.
The problem presented by Aneri-
can occupation or control of Hayti
and ether small Latin American
states.
The dispute with Costa Rica over
the purchase of the option on the
Nicaragua Canal route, and with Sal
yador and Honduras over the Ameri-
can purchase of naval base in Fon-
SEGA Bay, both disputes being in
volved in the Nicaraguan treaty.
The Colombian treaty dispute,
under which a treaty for the payment
of $25,000,000 for alleged injuries in
the Panama revolution is still pend
ing.
The question Of American interest
IN the fixing OF German indemnities.
These are just q few of the problems
and do not touch on the biggest one 9
all, the question of an association o
nations, to take the place of tho Leagu
OF Nations, except in that they compli
cate it and make it much more dfffi
cult of accomplishment.
American Peace Commission
On this big proposition the plans O
Mr.. Harding have been partly know
Tor some time, and have been pointe
out in The Tribune's washington dis
patches. He purposes to appoint a
American peace commission, which vii
consist OF probably seven member;
three OF whom are certain to b
gharies z. Hughes, Elihu Root an
henry Cabot Lodge. Hughes will b
named sx-officio as Secretary of State
and Lodge ex-offlcio as chairman q
she Senate Foreign Relations Com
Ahe recent Indications that German
70 seeking 8 peace with the Unite
Ssates make some of the problems con
neeted with the passage Of the Kno
peace resolution, which were raise
auElng the campaign, much simple,
The question was then asked how thi
country. could assure itself protectio
OF the legality Of the seizure Of Geg
man properties by the Alien Properf,
Custodian. Mr.. Harding said befor
election that one of the first move
would be to pass this peace resolu
eion. Then will come the more dell
cate question Of getting the foreig
powers TO agree to an American pla
Tor an association OF nations,
Some of the warm friends OF thi
plan here, however, are beginning /
grow alarmed over the complication
which have been piling into the situa
ton. Most of the eighteen problem
lust stated bear heavily against sue
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