TO WASHINGTON MEETING

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 33, 8 August 1921, Page 7

TO WASHINGTON MEETING

SOME ALLEGED INCONSISTENCIES

PRACTICAL RESULTS NOT

EXPECTED,

(CNITIIi PRESS ASSnriATION.—COPYRIGHT.)

(AUSTRALIAN-NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.) LONDON, 6th August. The Japanese Embassy has issued the following statement:—

"The suddenness of President Harding's proposal for a, conference at 1 Washington surprised public opinion in Japan. It subsequently became manifest that Britain was responsible for the real initiativo behind President Harding's proposal. This changed ths discussion in Japan to one on the continuation of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance, in the course of which several newspapers expressed some sympathy with Britain on account of the difficulties of her position, but others declared that. Japan had again been imposed upon. Most Japanese newspapers dislike unconditional acceptance of the American proposal. "Japan is.prepared to reduce her military plans to the minimum necessary for self-defence, if America frankly and promptly adopts a similar course. Japan's policies in China and Siberia have already been decided. The Shantung and Yap questions surely have been settled under the Treaty of Versailles. If America's real intention is to force China, into the adoption of an open-door policy, why does not she adopt such measures herself, and suggest that Australia adopt them? "The Japanese press regards all these questions as illustrating inconsistencies on the part of America, who seems to tie aiming at the lion's share of continental Asia, regardless of the fact that she persists in the Monroe Doctrine in Central and South America.

"Japan regards reduction of armaments as as excellent principle, but one that in practice will meet with almost insurmountable difficulties. It is also felt that powerful countries like Britain and America should frankly give a lead in the reduction of armaments. Japanese opinion regards it as undesirable that only problems unfavourable to Japan and favourable to America should be taken up, especially those already dealt with by th* Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations. Although President Harding's proposals theoretically are regarded with complete ap proval in Japan, it is felt that'a practical result cannot be reckoned upon with any degree of confidence."

TOKIO, 6th August.

It is understood that Japan has agreed to 11th November as the date of the Armament Conference.