New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-07-19
Work Begins ON Shaping
Program to Confine De-
bate to Issues Bearing
ON Armies and Nayies
Japan's Attitude
Remains Uncertain
Lack Of Tokio's Final
Word Fails to Halt Prep
araEi0ns for Conference
By Carter Field

W VI ON, July IS.--lntO Ornn |
conferences to decide on the subjects
which will be discussed or barred from
the international armament limitation
and Far Eastern meeting, called bv
PRESIDENT Harding, are now going on,
1T was learned from high Administra-
ton source day.
Inc desire will be to follow the line
OF least resistance in almost eyerv In
stance, subject, of course, so far as the
faf Eastern part of the conference is
concerned, to an important limitation.
inns is that unless a satisfactory ad-
Justment of all subjects in controversy
between the United States and Japan is
reached 1t VIII obviously be impossible
to make any progress toward Armament
limitation.
In this connection a Cabinet member
in talking over the situation with +bo
tribune correspondent TODAY Dointed
out that the United States can aorao ~
permit consideration Of the Philipnine
question at the conference in conne,-
tlon with the discussion of Far Fast
eLn and Pacific problems without the
silghtest probability of being embar-
ra8sed through any suggestions that
might be made 's' .
Philippines "Open"
His theory is that the United Statos
IN urging an open door in China and
equal opportunities to nationals of ali
countries IN mandate territories, such
as zap end the Marshall and Caroline
islands, is asking for nothing that she
does not already give in the Philip-
pines. There is no restriction in the
Philippines which prevents a japanese
or Frenchman or an Italian from
engaging in any business he may choose
or from owning land.
The Philippines are now and have
been on the open door, policy.
Some of the European nations, as
we'll as Japan. it is said, have been
lrrltated from time to time, especially
since the passage of the Jones act pro.
viding for an all-Filipino legisla ture
The increase in government grant
ed to the Filipinos by this government
has been used by agitators in posses
sions of the other nations to stir up
movements looking toward a greater
measure of home rule in those posses
sions.
But for obvious reasons it would be
difficult for the other nations to at
tack the United States on this score,
especially if any publicity should at
tach to their objections. On the other
hand, the United States can go into
the conference with clean hands, SO
far as the mandates are concerned.
Representatives of this government
is only asking for trade opportunities
in China, Yap, the Marshall and Caro-
line islands, which she freely grants
to nationals of other countries in the
Philippines.
Japans Part in War
Incidentally a thing which is not
frequently being mentioned in public,
but which will constantly be present
at the conference in spirit, is that
Japan cot great deal in the way OF
mandate territory for the comparative
ly small burden of the war which she
assumed. For that reason alone, it is
pointed out, outside of the open door
policy desirable for broader reasons,
Japan should not take action which
would prevent nationals of her allies
against Germany from enjoying an
equal opportunity in those territories.
The hope is expressed by Admins
tration spokesmen that the mandate
question may De cleareu up through tne
direct negotiations with Japan under
taken recently by the Japanese Am
bassador here, Baron Shidehara. This
would clear the way to a consideration
of the remaining Far Eastern questions,
thus removing several of the barriers
now frankly admitted to be barring the
road to armament limitation.
While no further word has been
heard from Japan, it is pointed out that
neither Japan nor any other nation by
agreeing to sit in at the conference
binds itself to the conclusions which
the conference may reach.
Good Will Expected
There is to be no taint of supergov-
ernment about the conference. At it's
conclusion, even if entire agreement
should be reached, the delegations
would report back to their govern
ments and until the governments for
mally made their approval in the man
ner set forth by their own constitu-
tons for ratification of treaties moth
ing would be binding.
For this reason the Administration
is highly hopeful that no nation will
attempt any action in advance to limit
the dicussions of the conference. Hope
is expressed by Administration officials
that all nations will approach the con-
ference in the spirit of good will.