The New York herald., 1921-08-13
SATURDAY, AUGUST IS, 1921.
Accomplished Facts in Far East.

accomplished IdCtS III i al Last.
In Japan's informal acceptance OF
the invitation to conference at Warh-
ington it was proposed by that power
full and enlightened Government that
such questions should be eliminated
from the discussion of armaments as
referred to accomplished facts" or
matters OF chief concern to the ma
tions directly involved.
Japan's position in this respect has
been generally understood to be in
spired by diplomatic reluctance, to
connect with the broad question Of
limitation OF ornaments matters like
Yap and Shantung and military ac-
tivities affecting Siberia. In other
words, it is assumed that Toxic has
desired to close the door of discussion
upon questions that decidedly have
not yet gone to the limbo.
Secretary HUGHES, in his very ably
shaped note of formal invitation to
the other Powers, whereof the text
was for the first time published yes
terday, speaks particularly of the
vital relation to the question Of linn
tied armaments of certain Pacific
and Far Eastern problems of unques-
toned Importance at this time"
Is it not possible that the sequel
may show that the accomplished
facts" which the far seeing statesman
ship of Toxic wants to keep out of the
agenda, as sources of controversy not
pertinent to the present discussion Of
armaments, go much further back
than Yap or Shantung?
For example, there is Corea. In
1888 the United States Government
ratified and proclaimed treaty with
what was then known as the Kingdom
of Corea, or Chosen. That treaty is
technically in force to-day. 1t stands
in the official compilations as of
equal force with the other treaties,
conventions, acts, protocols and
agreements constituting the code OF
our existing international obliga.
tions. And the first article of that
treaty declared on the part of the
United States sort Of protective re-
lation to Corean independence and
liberty in the following language:
"There shall be perpetual peace
and friendship between the Pres
ident OF the United States and
the King of Chosen and the citizens
and subjects Of their respective
Governments.
"If other Powers deal unjustly or
oppressfvely with either Government,
the other will exert their good offices.
on being informed OF the case, to
bring about an amicable arrange
ment thus showing their friendly
feelings"
Nearly forty years ago, therefore,
the United States and the Kingdom
Of Chosen entered into this agree
ment for mutual assistance. Corea
was to stand by the United States in
case of injustice to or oppression OF
the United States by any other Power,
and we undertook a similar rela
tion to the Government and people
of Chosen.
We are not inquiring now how fully
the United States met its treaty obi.
cations in the inconclusive CORE
spondence between Washington and
Toxic on the subject of Corea, after
Japan had taken possession of that
kingdom, overthrown it's independ
ence and assumed mastery over the
people to whom we promised per
petual and supervisory friendship.
We are merely advancing the sup
position that the case of Corea may
be an example of the class Of ques
tions Japan desires to have regarded
as accomplished facts and to bal
from proftless resurrection at tn,
Washington conference in November
1t is to be hoped that Japan's attitude
concerning Pacific and Far Eastern
questions still vital to the broad ques
tion of armament limitation may b,
as reasonable and enlightened as We
have the right to expect Japan's atti
tude to be in any matter affecting
the enduring friendship among our
peoples--to use Secretary HUGnEs's
friendly words.