Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-09-19
Clearing the Decks

| + America and Japan agree at early
date upon settlement of the Zap ques-
ton; ii Japan and China agree upon a set
Element OF the Shantung question, and ia
pan does not insist upon i categorical dis
oussion Of the question of Japanese immigra-
ton, the atmosphere OF the conference on
the limitation OF armaments will be visibly
cleared. Some OF the most troublesome is
sues Will have been disposed of before the
ConlereeS assemble. and to that extent the
work of the conference will be simpified
ferhapS the matter of Japanese eNclu-
sion Is the most difficult problem men
toned III connection with the conference
For more than generation this has been Il
source OF discord between the United States
ana Japan and between Japan aud certain
OF the British domnions. The American
government has found itself restrained by
lis constitutional limitations when it comes
TO forcing a sovereign State. California. for
example. 10 accord TO Japanese nationals
All the rights that are accorded to nationals
OF other countries. State may not be CO.
creed by the Federal government i'm the
matter OF its purely domestic land laws or
OF its school regulations. All that Wash
inEion may do is to exert its official infu-
ehce TO bring the States into line with inter
national obligations.
What is true of Washington is also true
found itself powcrlcss to force the British
uominIons of Canada. Australia and New
Zealand 10 accept the United Kingdom s
Niew,ot the privileges which japanese might
or should enjoy in those more or less solf-
governing States
The net result has been bad feeling in
Tokyo toward both Great Britain ana tho
'nlted states and ii was feared in many
quarters that Japan would predicate her
l"ii participation in the Washington con-
Terence upon IL recognition by all parties OF
the right of japanese nationals TO exnc,Iv
me same treatment at the hands of each of
me powers that is accorded the nationals of
tue other This would have forced a mar
llcniarly disagreeable debate Secretary
iiusheS, taking the position, however. that
Japanese exclusion was not necessarily 4
matter connected with disarmament lcf, I,
OH MS tentative agenda, land now the Jams
nave let 1t be understood that they will not
INSIST upon its inclusion.
ap ana Shantung are still live issues
however, and ii may not prove to be possi-
bic TO dispose Of them during the faw woel,
remaining before the conference ,ssomh,os
secretary Hughes has let il be understood
mat the negotiations with the Japancsc ovor
zap are proceeding satisfactorily. and he
mas reason TO hope that a complete under
standing will be reached in the in,modioto
iuture' IL such an understanding is arrived
at IL VIII! "a acGnicsccd in by the other now
crS IN tact, they have little TO do with Tho
""pu.e 'hat has arisen over zap They
"ru me zap mandate. hut that is as far
as their direct intcres, COOS
Shantung is still a matter of earnas, do
D"te between Tokyo and Picking. If these
governments find themselves finally in
agreement as 10 a settlement OF that contro-
Nt'SE the disarmament conference program
VIII be relieved Of problem that mipbt
nave oeen productive OF grave dissension