The Washington herald., 1921-07-17
Liberals Favor Entering
World Disarmament
Conference.
ARMY AND NAVY
HEADS SUPREME
Elder Statesmen Mill
taris and Cling to Pre-
negatives.
Written for Tia United Preas.)
By J. w. T.. MASON.

NEW YORK. July l6.-Japan's
reluctance to pledge herself in sd-
vance to an International discussion
at Washington Of ar Eastern prob
lens is in keeping with the present
method of diplomacy at Tokyo.
The japanese press. without re-
gard TO party relationships, favors
the conference: hut the japanese
foreign Office is unable 20 give full
assura noes, because the foreign Of
fee has only partial control over
Japan's international relations.
Army Fixes Own Policy.
Under the japanese system of
government. neither the prime min
lister nor the cabinet has any a1-
thority over the war and navy de-
partments. The fighting arms hN
their own policies. and the foreign
office must explain .hem to other
governments. The status of jana
nese troops in Siberia. for instance.
cannot be fixed by the foreiga
officee
The war department determines
the grave question OF wehther the
troops shall be withdrawn or not
The War Department acknowledge
the supremacy only Of the Genre.
the elder statesmen. and not OF she
cabinet. The Genro Is militaristic.
and conservative. and does not in
tend to part with its powers, except
under expulsion.
An American Parallel.
A Japanese delegation sent 60 the
Washington conference by tke
Tokyo foreign Office would not At
present be able TO give any binding
assurances concerning Oriental Is
sues by direction of the civil gov
ernment Of Japan. The war and
navy ministers would have the ul-
ftimate decision In conjunction with
the Genro. Japan's position in this
respect might become somewhat
similar to America s after the Yer
sailles peace treaty was signed bv
Americas representatives, but re-
pudiated by the United States Ser
ate.
The liberal element in Japan hnas
papers Journalivu - azrcrk.nr
hatd in Toxic OSAKA aud a,her
Newspapers ror p f8!7 nsrticiPstion
i9 the vssL.rgtoa conference. r3sss
cSnN's' her0rgn .hn Jlpauess press
a. trr EaNeruu mt g significant
df silent. Sug perhaps fatefVl
strucCie ;hC, Is proceeding in ia
pan hshind he scenes.
Factions In Fierce Contest
Japgr.se liberalism wants a.
overthrow the power OF the Genro
and of the military caste. The
calling Of the Washington confer
ence is being used by the liberals
to force the hands Of the resc-
tionaries. II the japanese govern
ment allows the suspicious Of the
Genro 20 dominate its attitude to-
ward the forthcoming conference.
Japan will he forced, into an
awkward position. The European
nations will be given an object
lesson in the reason fo- Americas
intuitive d'strust Of the Samurai
spirit. which seeks to override re-
sponsible constitutional government
in Japan.
The younger liberal Japanese ele-
- - Noha''e VI hidNihS tne Hoai
or this argument, SO as 70 frighten
the Genro into giving the foreign
office a free hand. II that result
is brou"ht about. ard II the Japa-
nese cabinet Is able to Ak Jspan's
nolicv at the Washington gathering
IL will be a momentous event for
Japan. II may lead even 20 the
overthrow Of the Genro and the
creation NJ full democratic govern
ment at Toxic. But as long as the
japanese foreign ONCE continues 20
keep omen a way Of retreat from
the WASHINGTON conference. the
Genro and the war and navy de-
partments will give this sign that
their power is undisturbed.