The Washington times., 1921-06-29
|HAPGOOD BELIEVES
! HARDING OPPOSES
/ ANGL0-;JAPAN PACT
Writer Sees Presidents Foreign
Policy Ringing on Treaty
Abandonment.
By NORMAN HAPGooD.


Presidents reason for not explaining
his plans for cooperation with Eu-
rope. Those questions will be multi
piled when the question OF formal
peace has been put through Congress
and gotten out OF the way.
The reason the President makes no
statement is that he IL proceeding on
step by step basis and the next
move fs Britain's. As matter Of un-
vanished fact, cooperation with Eu-
rope means in the first instance CO.
operation with Great Britain.
II the attempt to bring about such
cooperation succeeds, other coun-
tries Immediately will be affected. but
the plan is being worked out between
the two English speaking countries.
1t will be remembered by some that
several weeks ago wrote two articles
on the extensive bearings of the inn
perial conference now going on in
London. / strongly indicated that
any possibilities Of success In formu-
Iating new relations between Great
Britain and this country hinged on the
abandonment of the treaty between
Great Britain and japan.
WANTS "INsIDE- ON JAPAN.
Well, the fate Of the treaty is today
the key to what is happening in the
State Department. The British have
indicated that they are willing to go
into a fifty fifty basis with us in naval
power To be sure, Lloyd George has
dropped remarks taking away some
what from that willingness, but on the
whole It seems to express the present
British attitude.
But our Government has no inten-
IL -
Britain until II knows whether or not
rally, the naval strength that we shall
claim will be much greater IL Japan
and Britain are allies than II they are
not. -t
The talked about clause, IL the
treaty Is renewed, making an excep-
tion in case the United States should
be a belligerent. does not meet the
objection OF the Administration. Our
experiences in the great war taught
us that sea power and the use of II
are sure to We subject to controversy
in any future war.
OPPOSE PACT RENEWAL.
In the last war the United States.
while she was a neutral suffered
from Great Britain's orders In council:
in other words, from her interpreta-
tion of her rights at sea. While tn,
United States was a neutral she wis
interfered with not only In her trade
with Germany but in her trade with
neutrals.
Hence, IL there were a war between
the United States and Japan, even IL
Britain were neutral, her attitude to-
word questions arising at sea would
be important.
the situation, as the Administrative
sees IT.. except the abandonment of
the treaty between Great Britain and
Japan.
This. think, will answer the aues-
ton of my friend Hamilton Hoyt and
others about why the Administration
does not put forward a plan. II -
chose the method of one thing ficst
and II is now waiting. The British
government fully understands the git
uation.
II the Japanese treaty is not re-
newed, the next step will be to ar
range the relative programs of the
three naval powers. Negotiations can
be begun as soon as the treaty NIT
ter Is out OF the way but the essen
tial points viii be agreed on by the
three powers, or at least by Great
Britain and this country. before there
Is any public conference.
NEXT MOVE NOT HARDINGs.
Once the naval question is arranged
the rest of the Presidents program
will be next in order of business. This
Administration looks on commerce as
the kay to modern international poll
tics.
The agreement on naval strength
will. therefore. be followed by agree
ments regarding the open door in
China, coaling stations, oil stations,
access to oil in such fields as the
newly discovered one in Northwest
Canada, and all outstanding CONNER
cial questions.
I 1t Is believed by those guiding the
thought Of the present Administra-
ton that II a satisfactory arrange
ment is reached along these lines by
the three paval powers. there will be
no difficulty with regard to France.
Germany or any other power. as the
arrangements will be all on the basis
of equal rights.
Also. II is believed, that IL the eco
nomic cooperation is worked out the
method of settling others. questions
Will follow as natural corallary.
That is what President Harding
means by an association of nations.
That is why the next move cannot