Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1921-11-22
Naval Arms Limitation in
y Very Fair Way of Being
| Accomplished.
FAR EAST SOLUTION SEEN
IN PLEDGES OF NATIONS
Agreement on China Expected to
Render Anglo-Japanese ALI
ance Obsolete.
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.

BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.
The Washington conference has
progressed within the last twenty
four hours to such an extent that
it is possible to make prediction as
to it's probable achievements.
1. The conference is in a very
fair way of settling the question of
the Limitation of naval armaments at
an early date.
2. The conference is not expected
to bring about an arrangement for
reduction of land ornaments at this
time, due to the stand taken by
France that it is impossible for her
to disarm to any very great extent
with Germany and Russia menacing
her.
Solution ON Far East Looms.
3. The conference has advanced
measurably toward a solution Of the
far. east problems. The ways have
been CREASED for an agreement among
the powers assembled as to future
dealings with China. which may re-
suit in rendering the old Anglo-Jap-
anese alliance Obsolete" and there
fore no longer necessary. With the
Chinese question settled-if it Is set
tled-the conference will have dealt
with the major part Of the far east
problem.
ference feel a long step was taken
when. in committee Of the whole, the
conference late yesterday adopted res
olutions proposed by E1ihu Root of the
American delegation. setting forth gen.
eral principles to guide 1t In its further
work with regard to the Chinese Ques-
ton.
FOrerunner of Agreement.
The adoption of these principles
which specify the intentions of the
powers attending the conference in re-
gard to Clina-may be, it is said, q
forerunner Of a final agreement among
the powers. Such hnai agreement. it
is said. will make it no longer neces-
sary. from the point Of view of either
Great Britain or Japan, to continue the
AnEio-Japanese defensive alliance.
In this connection, 1t Is pointed out,
the conditions, which brought about the
ef the eAngio-Japanese treaty
of alliance no longer exist. In those
days. according to high British autiori-
ty. the peace of the far east was men,
aced by imperial Russia, and also by
imperial Germany. Neither Russia nor
Germany is longer Imperial" and
neither is now regarded as menace to
the peace Of the far east. Other con-
ditions have changed. too.
Basic Friendship Underlying.
Underlying the Anglo-Japanese alli-
ance is the basic principle Of friend
ship between the two nations. This
friendship still will continue. But with
the agreement which it is hoped to
reach at the present conference-not
in treaty form, but never
theless a distinct understanding that
may be called an agreement-by all
the great powers interested in China
and preserving the "open door, in that
country, where. it is asked. will be the
necessity for renewal Of the Anglo
Japanese alliance?
Certain clauses of the Anglo-Japa-
nese treaty were described yesterday
by a high British official as being al
ready "obsolescent," due to the chang
ed conditions brought about by the
recent war. The British, by the way,
are carefully avoiding any sugges-
ton that the Anglo-Japanese treaty
ence from their conversation is that
the treaty is to be leased" out of the
way, since it will be obviously no
longer necessary for the preservation
of peace in the far east. its primary
object.
Resolution on China.
At this pcint it may be well to
quote the resolutions prepared by Mr..
Root and agreed to by eight of the
attending the conference
the agreement of China not being
as the resolutions merely
lay down principles to be observed
by other nations, agreed to among
themselves, in dealing with China.
The resolutions were adopted unani-
mously by the delegations of the
United States, Belgium, the British
empire, France. Italy,, Japan the
and Portugal. They fol-
low:
ut is the firm intention of the DOW
ers attending this conference herein
after mentioned, to>wit: the United
States of America, Belgium. the Brit
ish empire, France, Italy, Japan, the
and Portugal:
"N) To respect the sovereignty, the
and the territorial and
integrity of China.
"(2) To provide the fullest and
most unembarrassed opportunity to
China to develop and maintain for
herself an effective and stable gov
ernment.
"(3) To use their influence for the
purpose of effectually establishing
and maintaining the principle of
equal opportunity for the commerce
and industry of all nations through
out the territory Of China
"4) To refrain from taking adyan-
tage of the present conditions in or
der to seek special rights or privi-
leges which would abridge the rights
of the subjects or citizens Of friendly
states and from countenancing action
inimical to the security of such
states"
Pledge China's Sovereignty.
& These principles SO laid down would
appear to pledge the sovereignty Of
China; to leave to China the solution
Of her own domestic problems; to
provide for the maintenance Of the
"open door," and to refrain from ag-
gressions, either territorial or other
wise.
The conference still has before it,
Of course, the determination Of what
is to be done regarding the old
spheres of influence and leaseholds