The Washington herald., 1922-01-23
Had Asked Japan Before
President Called Arms
Conference.
CABINET MEMBER
ADDRESSES DIET
Regrets Shantung Rail-
way Issue Blocks
Agreement.

the arms conference IN Washing
ton. Great Britain had officially
invited Japan 10 Tacinc con-
ference at which problems of the
Far East and the Anglo-Japanese
alliance were to be discussed.
Count Uchida, Japanese foreign
minister, disclosed this fact in an
address to the diet in Tokyo Sat-
cabled to diplomats here.
As early as last July Count
Uchida declared. Great Britain de-
sired that a Pacific conference be
called for discussion of questions
concerning the Far East and the
alliance.
FINALLY, the British government
expressed to the japanese govern
ment this desire. Eventually the
Washington conference opened at
the instance of the American gov
ernment."
Approves 4-Power Pact
As for the quadruple treaty.
Uchida said:
The new treaty is a sign of the
progress of the times and a mani
festation of the spirit of interna-
tional friendship and goodwill on
an enlarged scale. II Is a matter OF
profound qualification TO the Japan
esd government that by virtue of
the treaty the general peace in the
Pacific Ocean will be assured con-
Jointly by the four powers"
Secretary Hughes naval program.
Uchida declared. was most drastic
and bold" and created great
sensation as being a clear index
of the spirit of the genuine sin
certify in which the American gov
ernment had been solicitous to
achieve realization of the limita-
tion OF armaments."
The naval treaty, -pchida said.
may be expected to he signed be-
fore long"
Regrets Conditions in China.
Naturally the japanese Foreign
Minister'S observations on China
were read with the greatest in
terest.
1T is a matter of sincere re-
gret," he said. that unfortunately
in China not only have peace and
unity not been restored. but the
situation there lately seems to be
developing in the opposite direc-
tion. 1t is to be hoped, therefore.
that in full appreciation of the good
will and friendship shown by the
powers concerned. China, while
making sincere efforts for intro
duction of various reforms with the
nf IL
happiness of her people, should use
her best endeavors towards the fur
therance and realization OF the
noble cause of the interdependence
and the common good of humanity
by further opening her doors to
the world and by Strengthening still
more the relations of co-opera tion
with the powers concerned"
Guards Japanese Interests.
Uchida declared that in Far East
ern questions. involving the vital
interests of Japan" Japan is acting
lin accordance with the development,
of circumstances" and at the same
time Ito prevent injuries to the VI
tai interests of our country. The
foreign powers concerned" he add
Sos hdhlhSA uuc NOs nILdHCC VI
| the position and interest of ouI
country in the Far East and appear
tto be endeavorihg to avoid unfair.
ness with accomplished fact"
As regards the Shantung Railway
Uchida declared, opinion is divided
and conversations relative to the
railway have had to be discontinued
1t is a matter of sincere regret that
owing to difficulties respecting the
Shantung Railway, the whole ques.
ton is not more satisfactory"
Concerning the mandate granted
by the league of nations to Japar
over the South Sea Islands, disposi.
| tion of cable lines emanating from
zap, and an understanding among
the powers concerned about cable
lines in the Pacific. Uchida said, 81
am happy to tell you that the treat,
embodying these terms will be con.
cluded before long"
Praises League of Nations.
In reporting in general on tn,
foreign relations Of his country, tn,
japanese statesman said, they hat
grown in intimacy and riendship
With rapid changes in the gen.
eral situation a world institution
such as the league of nations, for.
merly regarded as utopian, has moi
only come into existence" he said
but the spirit underlying the
league is being diffused throughou,
the world, and its founda ttons ap.
pear to be strengthened. Moreover
reduction of armaments is now Oh
the eve of realization as a result OF
the Washington conference, To.
gether with the signature of the
four-power treaty and the adoption
OF fundamental principles concern.
ing China, these features of ouI
time constitute an expression of the
sincere regard Of humanity for tn.
establishment of lasting peac.
throughout the world" -