The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-01-08

inclined on Chinese questions as they imagined.
 And, most happy circumstance per haps of all, the Japanese found that at a crucial stage of the conference proceedings, when eastern issues were getting somewhat complicated and the Chinese were acting decided. ly aggrieved, the French stepped for ward and took tho role of "bete noir" so successfully and completely that all conference criticism was di- rected against France and away from Japan.
 Japan found the atmosphere at Washington so conciliatory that they took the courage to announca they would not permit their famous 2i demands upon China to come before the conference. They would contain alone as to these demands. for they had always found means of ''persua sion" that were effective with China.
 Shnntung Question
 Japan further announced she would not permit the Shantung ques- ton to come before the conference. for already she was In negotiation with China over the territory she promised at Paris to return to China.
 Thus far Japan has fought with complete success any plan to bring Siberia before the conference. Like wise the more troublesome questions respecting China, Japan has succeed ed in having referred to the commits sion, Japan has acted in complete harmony with the other nations to abolish certain post offices in China and to give China an added share of her own customs.
 While the Shantung question is not before the conference, American del- egations still hope that some sort of satisfactory agreement may be reached and announced by Japan and China before the Washington gather ing adJourns. It Is realized that un- less the Shantung matter is disposed of in this way the lack of agreement will cut a serious figure in the de- bates on the ratification of the four power Pacific pact in the Senate. The Shantung provisions of the very Yer sailles treaty helped to wreck that pact in the Senate, and if the matter still Is unsettled when the Pacific treaty is presented trouble Is assured
 In the last analysis, Japans great est victory at the Washington confer ence is infrespect of the treaty.
 AnsIo-Japanese Treaty
 The Japanese came to Washington expecting the Anglo-Japanese treaty to be abrogated. They knew that the United States had told Great Britain it regarded that treaty as a menace They knew this country took the po- sition that the influence of the Anglo Japanese alliance had given the Jap- anese moral support Tn their political and geographical ambitions. They had assumed the atmosphere al Washington would be hostile. They were not sure just what Great Brit ain might have up her sleeve, whc was acting in accord with the United States in arranging the arms confer ence.
 But now the treaty situation has worked out to Japan's complete sat isfaction and aggrandizemenfs. Ia place of the Anglo-Japanese alliance which had grown exceedingly shaky because of American opposition. Ja- pan finds herself admitted to the fin ner circles" of the only great powers of the world today-France, Great Britain and the United States. However. and it is on this point that Japan is particularly happy-ii the United States Senate fails te ratify the four-power Pacific pact the Anglo-Japanese alliance auto matically remains in full force and effect
 And, furthermore, If the United States Senate, fepudiate the Pacific pact, Great Britian will listen nc more to American objections to the Japanese alliance. She will take the position that America was offered ar opportunity to "go along" and failing once more to stand by the word oi her plenipotentiaries, is not to be con sidered in further international un- derAanding.
 Thus the Anglo-Japanese alliance would be given greater virility thar l 1t ever had and be assured of a Ions and undisturbed life.
 It Is small wonder, In view of al this, that the Japanese in truth are wearing . smile that will not coV' off.