The Washington times., 1921-10-09

Vtet0s tho Japanese and Pacific
questions and their bearing on the
Limitation of Armameats Confer
ence at Washinaton.)
A MERICA has always exercised
~ a certain amount of forbear-
ance on international ques-
lions OF an acute nature. This has
been so because Of the tremendous
influence Of public opinion, which.
after all, is the real governing pow
err in the United States. On ques-
lions affecting herself and the world
at large America knows no bound
aries. Her good faith is unques-
toned.
Thus, when President Harding as
sumes the initiative in inviting the
powers and China to a discussion on
armament restrictions and those
many problems affecting the Pacific
area and the Far East. the invita-
ton is gladly accepted.
Only Japan hesitates as to the
Pacific problems. 1t is to be hoped.
however. that she too. will unre.
servedly enter the conference and
add her name to the guarantees for
future world peace. Frankly, Amer
lea has always been very friendly
toward the Japanese people. Cues
tons have arisen between the two
countries which have aroused con-
siderable irritation. but nothing has
developed that could not be settled
through diplomatic channels. =
AMERICA AND CHINA.
1t may be right to add that Amer
lean patience has been sorely taxed
at times at the manner in which
Japan has acted toward China. Un-
less Japan faithfully adheres to the
policy Of the "open door" and the
territorial integrity Of China. there
is no telling where this traditional
friendship will end. The world knows
where America stands.
Sovereign rights" so-called, make
little difference with Americans
WhSLS bilC "CldlC VI Ioui
hundred millions of Chinese is in.
volved. From the American view
point no single power shall DOM
mate the Far East and the Pacific
any more than single power shall
dominate Europe. or the Americans,
or the Atlantic. II the future peace
of the world is to be assured this
Prussian idea of dominance must be
relegated to the past for all time.
Every thinking American knows
that the outstanding question Mt the
coming international conference Is
that respecting the rights Of nations
in the Far East. I should make this
still stronger by referring to the
ANGLO.JAPANESE ALLIANCE:
'4The preservation Of the common
interests Of all the Powers In China
by insuring the independence and in
tegrity Of the Chinese Empire and
the principle Of equal opportunity
for the commerce and industry Of
all nations In China"
That is all America desires in
China. That Is what she Is striving
for there. She will be content with
nothing else.
TRUST UNITED STATES.
We have a strong friendship for
the Chinese people. In our COM
mercial relations we have found
them shrewd in business, exceed
ingly honest and indefatigable work
ers. The Chinese reciprocate this
friendship and have an abiding trust
In America and its institutions.
1.-The policy" writes a well known
Chinese economist. pursued by the
United States towards China dur
ing TIE war is consistent with the
principles which 1t has observed for
many years in dealing with Far
Eastern problems" We shall con-
tinue to abide by this policy, come
what may.
So this invitation Of President
Harding's for the powers to come
together and talk matters over has
aroused a feeling Of genuine interest
among all Americans. The consen-
sus Is that this Chinese matter has
gone on altogether too long for the
good of the world.
Ask the average American bust
ness man his opinion concerning
Sovereign rights" or special privi-
leges" and you will get torrent Of
argument that would bring Joy to a
Chinaman's eyes. Why should China
be picked on any more than Mexico,
or Canada, or Brazil? We have in
vested hundreds of millions in Mex
Eco; are we claiming sovereign rights
down there? Mexicans have slaugh-
tered our citizens: have we demanded
special privileges from them?
We have loaned billions to Europe
and elsewhere throughout the world:
are we demanding perpetual leases
md a voice in the government in re-
turpo few Canadians have ex.