Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1921-08-11
Acceptance by Japan Makes
Way Clear for the Confer
ence in Washington
S|LES|A CRISIS PASSING
France and Britain Reach Agreement
and Germany 10 Warned-Hard.
lng's Plan for Financial Relief
: Of Railroads, Farmers and
Cattle Raisers.
VOL. XXXII.
BY EDWARD W. PIckARD.

BY EDWARD W. PlcKARD.
With mind not yet quite at ease
In the matter, Japan has sent word
that she will accept President Hard
lng's invitation to the Washington
conference to discuss limitation OF
ornaments and questions of the Pa
cific and the Far East But this Is to
be with certain reservations. These
are expressed in the closing part Of
Tokyo's latest note to Washington,
which reads:
"The Japanese government have
been made aware through the COM
Nunications and the published state
nent Of the American government and
the conversations between the secre-
tary Of state and Baron Shidehara
that the proposition of the American
government to discuss the Pacific and
Far Eastern problems is based on the
close bearing they may have on the
question of limitation of armaments,
which is the original and principal aim
Of the conference, and that therefore,
the main object Of discussing these
problems Is to reach a common under
standing In regard to general princi-
PIES and policies in the Pacific and Far
East.
in order to insure the success Of
the conference, the Japanese govern
ment deem 1t advisable that the
ageDda thereof should be arranged in
accordance with the main object Of the
discussions as above defined and that
Introduction therein of problems such
as are of sole concern to certain par
ticular powers, or such matters as
may be regarded accomplished facts.
should be scrupulously avoided"
OF course, among what Japan con-
eiders accomplished facts" are the
cessiOn of Shantung to Japan and the
Zap mandate. But our State depart
ment is confident the japanese can be
satisfied in the drawing up OF the
aSenda for the conference, and there
fore is now preparing the formal in
vitatiOns to the powers.
There is chance that some of the
British dOminiCns, which consider
themselves full-fedged nations in most
respects, will kick up little trouble
because the British empire is to be
represented as unit, with only one
vote. Australia already is wailing that
She Is entitled to vote as a nation
on the Pacific problems. Probably
New Zealand. and possibly Canada,
feel the same way. Rene Viviani and
Albert Sarrault, minister Of colonies,
are to represent France at the con-
ference; and Premier BRAND also may
come.
No decided opposition to holding the
conference in Washington has devel-
oped, but the date Of its opening re-
mains to be settled. The United States
tentatively mentioned November IL
Armistice day, because 1t would be
sentimentally suitable, but again the
British dominons protest. Many OF
their legislative bodies are in session
during the fall months, and as their
premiers wish to be present at the
conference, they are urging that 8
later date be selected for its assem-
bling. It may be they can be satisfied
by preliminary informal consultation:
between Pacific powers which will en-
nble them to put their views on rec
ord.
Through mutual concessions
France yielding the most-Great Brit
ain AMI France have reached an un
derstanding on the Upper Silesial
question, and the threatened break IL
the entente will not occur just yet
anyhow France abandoned her in
tantion of sending immediate re-en
fOrcements to the Silesian garrison
and agreed to a meeting of the inter
allied supreme council in Paris Au
gust 4. But she insisted the question
Of strengthening the allied forces II
the region must first be settled, ant
also warned the British that any hos
tile act against the French troops O
the Poles in the disputed area woult
result in the immediate occupation o
the Ruhr basin, regardless Of alliet
action.
Premier Lloyd George, on his part
consented to meeting of experts t
examine into the Sllesian problem, AM
also conciliated the French by givin,
the German government sharp re
buff. When France was preparing t
send more troops to Silesia, she aske'
the Germans to supply the transpor
tat'on. Berlin sent note to London
asking. If the British indorsed thi