The information that conversa tions. are already proceeding between the Powers concerned in preparation for the Naval Limitations Conference which is to be held next year makes interesting reading espe-Gially with regard to. the considers. original treaty was signed. The first important point arises out of the formation of Manchoukuo 3s a political entity and the possible furnishing of it with a navy by Japan. This feared would completely upset, any naval ratio that might be arrived at, unless specific provision were "made to cover such a contingency. That, it is argued, might oblige the powers negotiating to recognize not only the danger to themselves of such a proceeding by Japan, but also the State of Manchoukuo itself. It is becoming increasingly clear that Manchoukuo, whether diplomatic recognition is accorded or not, is becoming an increasingly important factor in world polities, and, if only to limit Japanese activities along the lines suggested, both the United States and Great Britain will have to take cognizance of its existence, That is not the only change which has occurred since, the original Pact was signed.
particular there is the growing influence of the Soviet since the that the former has apparently not been doing so weill in his campaign as the first successes led him to anticipate, The new conditions are decidedly milder than the very vigorous ones which were first announced and which fired the Crown Prince of Yemen with a determina-ion to fight to the bitter end, Ibn Sand has so modified his original demands that he no longer requires the surrender of two provinces but merely the division of one, and that the border territory which has long been in dispute between the two parties, Tehama, which Ton Sand desired, will be returned to the Imam, there will be no indemnities and. no reparation on both side: Instead of the original request for payment of the expenses of the Saudi expedition. A general amnesty Is to be declared and both sides are to abstain from propaganda. Shortly after the striking initial successes of Sand were announced, reports were current of reverses sustained at the hands of what was considered to be a thoroughly defeated enemy. These accounts were denied, but it is now apparent, from the very much milder terms, that the opport~ junity of successfully imposing the more imposing demands has passed and that peace on easier conditions has become desirable. In the past was generally the fine troops of the Imam which were able to impose restoration of diplomatic relations with China and the United States, Which has a direct effect upon the distribution of political power the Far East and an addition to the common interest" in maintaining peace in this section of the world. It is clear that the problems which next year's conference will have to face are by no means as straight cut as they were at the Washington Conference and it is probably the best Thing to do to explore all the avenues leading to an ultimate solution of the problems which presented before the Conference Actually goes into its most important session.
Jcommenced it was anticipated that they" would have been just successful as they had been in the past, but Ibn Sand had so improved his troops that initial walk-over victory to be hoped that, now pence terms have been so modified, the present truce will lead to a per manent understanding which that area so sorely needs.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.