The Washington herald., 1921-07-31
The Powers at Conference.


discusses at length the scope and Importance OF the
conference which has been proposed by Pres-
dent Harding OF which the GndrdiGH says mo more
momentous international assembly will perhaps ever
have met" The editorial holds that although the
primary question concerns naval disarmament, dis
armament is possible only after an agreement has
been made in regard to policy in the Pacific, This
paper strongly supports the Presidents plan to in
clude discussion OF Pacific affairs rather than re-
srictng the scope OF the conference to matters per-
tanning disarmament has been advocated in the
Senate. The question OF disarmament it holds, is
nominally first but in fact last, for il the problems
of the Pacific are solved disarmament will be easy
but if they are not solved disarmament is impossible
The Pacific question is described as follows: ut
is OF course, a single question, but bundle OF
connected questions. 1t arises out OF possible or ac-
tual rivalres and conflict OF interests between the
powers bordering that mighty ocean OF these
the United States and Japan by far the greatest
military powers That their interests, or supposed
interests, may conflict has been made apparent in
good many incidents which have usually centered
upon China. America demands that the integrity OF
China shall be respected also what is called the
open door for trade and commercial enterprise-a
term to which the American government gives an
extremely wide and definite Interpretation The same
principles are acknowledged by the government of
Japan and are indeed embodied in the terms OF the
Ango-Japancse treaty, but great differences OF in
depreciation possible, and they have not been
held by Japan to be inconsistent with the occupation
of Chinese territory or with the putting forward.
during the war; of demands China OF very ex-
treme character which afterwards wisely with
drawn. The three Pacific dominioDs interested
in the same questions, indeed are we ourselves and
they further deeply interested as is America in
the question OF Japanese immigration and anxious at
the immense growth of Japanese naval power
The Guardian believes that all these matters must
be discussed frankly and in perfectly friendly fash
ion and that their solution is Of Importance only
America and the domnions but to Japan, since
she cannot we'll afford to enter a competition in
armamcnts any more than the OF the world nor
she the risk of with a power which is
"in the long far stronger than herself"
In the opinion Of this paper the Anglo Japanese
treaty should not be renewed, but in its place there
should be ripartite agreement between the United
States, Great Britain and Japan, which China
should also be party. The British government
recognize clearly what the situation is it affects
the domnions "If any good is to of the in
tended conference" this paper, there be
special treaty whatever between ourselves and Japan
and America must be party to any fresh agreement.
1t is just well to recognize that is America
that the domnions primarily look for support of the
interests which they share with her in the Pacific,
and if we are wise shall make policy square
with theirs and hers Japan will be no loser by this
ension of the circle OF her friends. She will be