But what we cannot understand is that America on the
very eve of the Conference, of which she is herself the author, should take action which is likely greatly to reduce the hopes of a successful issue. It was America herself who inaugurated the policy of joint action. Great Britain for years acted in conjunction with Japan and had nothing to say to American policy ; other Powers acted either with those with whom they were temporarily in sympathy or in complete isolation. All that was ended at the Washington Conference when America unfolded her proposals for a more enlightened and concerted treatment of China. That was to be begun at the Tariff Conference. Certainly the worst way to try to achieve success at Peking is in effect to disparage the Conference before it begins. We shall say no more now. We think there must be some misunderstanding. * * * •
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