Evening star., 1921-08-14
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.

conference on disarmament
next November are creating as keen in
terest here as the question of disarma-
nnent itself. The subject is vast. 1t
contains many pitfalls into which the
representatives of the comforting pow
srs may fall unless they tread with
extreme caution.
Yet II these problems Of the far east
can be solved-even in mea asure-at
the coming conference. undoubtedly a
tremendous stride will have been made
toward the peace Of the world for gen.
erations to come.
Japanese Became Suspicious.
When the word went forth that the
problems Of the Pacific were to be con-
sidered. the suspicious of Japan were
Immediately aroused. according to re-
ports from that country. 1t was touch
and go whether Japan would agree to
enter upon such conference. But the
very fact that Japan has finally ac-
cepted the invitation is an encouraging
sign. Suppose. for instance, that Japan.
instead of the United States. had been
issuing the call for the disarmament
conference, and Japan had stated that
along with the question of disarmament
there would be considered American
questions, including the Monroe doc
trine. 1t is easy to imagine the excite
ment that might have been aroused in
the United States
1t Is impossible to state. officially, at
this time just what problems of the
Pacific will be considered at the con-
ference. or even the program which the
administration had in mind when the
suggestion was made. that these prob
lens of the far east should be consid-
cred. But it is possible in a general
way to state some of the problems that
may be covered at the conference. AL
ready. it is understood. American ex-
perts on the far eastern situation have
been detailed to make a complete study
of these Pacific problems and to pre-
pare the data which are to be used by
the American representatives at the con-
ference in November. BY November, 1t
Is expected. these experts will have put
all these data into such shape that
they can be readily made use Of
China One Big Problem.
China. Of course. assumes vast pro-
portions in any consideration of, Pa
cif1c problem. The fate 81 that huge.
and so far unwieldy. republic Of the
east is of the greatest concern in any
settlement of these questions. For
many years that country has been
considered by European nations as
fair field for exploitation. Japan has
done it's share in the exploitation Of
the country. and has advanced step
by step toward the control of Chin
ese affairs.
Mr.. Uchida, member of the Japanese
house of peers, has been quoted as
saying: I'VE should make the con-
troll of China's foreign policy and
management of her internal financial
and military affairs our goal, thereby
establishing an eastern Asiatic fed
Grated empire, with Japan as its
leader"
The policy Of an "open door" in
China for the commerce of all ma
tions, as enunciated by John Hay
during McKinley's administration.
ndtuIdily 10 iii CotCACu Ny SoSh q
program as advanced by the Japanese
statesman.
Questions Largely Economic.
And this. by the way. leads to the
thought that the problems of the Pa
cific are to very large extent eco
nomic. The trade with China is the
goal not only of this country. but. OF
course, of Japan and England and
France and other nations-until late
ly, that of Germany. But Japan has
largely supplanted the German inter-
est in China. In fact, in the great
province of Shantung. where Ger
many had fastened before the war,
Japan has been the predominating
influence since the world war be-
gan. And the problem of Shantung
In not the least of the matters which
NAV be considered at the coming
conference. The disposition of Shan
tune under the treaty OF Versailles
was not to the liking of the United
States, and was one Of the principal
,oints of attack in the United States
Senate when that pact was before 1t
for consideration.
The Lansing-Ishii note or Novem-
her IS, 1917. appeared to recognize
the principle that territorial propin-
guilty creates special interests 1of
Japan in Chinese territory. II mas
h.an hailed in some quarters as al
1owtne the establishment of KIND
~ Monroe doctrine Of the far east
with Japan in the shoes Of the United
States.
u.. Definite American Policy.
whatever the policy Of the last
.a,,tnistration, Secretary Hughes OF
the State Department has now made
~ very clear that this country has
. very defin by American policy
With regard to China and will insist
upon the rights Of this and other
nations to deal with that country
commercially and on terms OF
equality. Probably no man In the
Senate today Is giving closer atteh-
tion to the problems of the Pacific
than Senator Hiram johnson OF CALI
Sornia He has expressed a high
opinion of the manner in which Mr..
Hughes has taken hold of the Chinese
question, Furthermore, he has ex-
pressed confidence that the American
Secretary of State will deal with this
particular problem of the east in an
able manner.
Senator johnson ID very frm on one
Inoint In regard to the coming con-