The Washington times., 1921-07-15
State Dept. Confirms
Japan's Official Nste
Asking Parley's Aims
BY HARRY l.. ROGERS.
International News Service.

The Japanese reply to President
HardinEs suggestion that a conferent Q
on disarmament and the Far Eastern
question be held In Washington askt d
Tor further Information as to the prob'
able scope Of discussions Of the prob
lens of the Far East, II was Learned
Though official confirmation Is lack.
ing. 1t IL believed that the United
has communicated to the Tokyo gov.
eminent certain views on the ousetion
raised by Japan.
The attitude Of tho United States
with regard to the Japanese inquiry
is that 1t 10 not for this nation to
determine the scope Of tho Far East
ern discussion, but that this IL
matter to be decided by the powers
concerned and participating in the
conference. This Government II OF
the opinion that there should be pre-
liminary negotiations between the
parties to the conference for an ex-
change of views as to the breadth OF
the discussion. 1t Is under stood that
this viewpoint has been communi-
Gated to Japan.
The informal invitation Of Pres
ident Harding. It was pointed out.
calls for a discussion of general
principles of far Eastern policy and
does not indicate that this Govern
ment has any intention Of forcing
the parley to consider. definite prob
lens, except insofar as the confer
ence itself desires to discuss these
problems.
Japan's Stand Is Weak.
It was plain here today that Of
ficials of this Government do not
feel that any nation can justly with
hold its assent to join in the confer
ence because of failure TO set forth
a definite program. and It IL the
hope Of the administration that no
nation will attempt to make It's en-
trance into the conference con-
ditional upon the preliminary formu-
gram.
The forthcoming disarmament con
ference was scheduled for discussion
by the President and his Cabinet to-
day, with special consideration of the
problem presented by the partial or
ceptance of Japan.
Willis officials express the belief
that Japan will find 1t convenient
without much further delay to ex-
tend its acceptance to include tho
discussion of Far Eastern problems
as we'll as the question of disarma-
rent, It IL admitted that a confer
ence on problems Of the Pacific
would not get far in the direction of
general understanding II Japan
were unrepresented.
The explanation given OF Japan's
delay In making known It's decision
with regard to the Far Eastern phase
Of the proposed conference was that
the Tokyo government had not ex-
pected President Hardins's sugses-
ton to include topics other than dis
armament and that the addition OF
the Far Eastern situation to the
program required a re-opening Of the
matter before the various Japanese
governmental bodies.
Washington Ideal Choice.
Repetition Of reports from London
that a preliminary conference on
Far Eastern problems might be held
in London prior to the general con-
ference at Washington found officials
here unchanged In their view that
this Capital Ia the most appropriate
place for holding the conference, and
that the two subjects OF the Far
East and disarmament should not be
separated.
II was pointed out. however, that
II Premier Lloyd George sees ut to
discuss problems OF the Pacific with
are In London, there In nothing to
prevent his doing so.
The purposes Of the Washington
conference, II In believed in some quar-.
tiers, would probably be advanced II
the British and colonial premiers
could work out a definite program for
the empire before the Washington con-
ference convenes. II In regarded rs
definitely settled. 90 far. a. this Ad-