THE WASHINGTON CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 298, 10 September 1921, Page 7

THE WASHINGTON CONFERENCE

-A ORGANISED LABOUR’S CLAIM TO REPRESENTATION PROTEST AGAINST BRITAIN’S ARMAMENTS By Telegraph—Press AeeocUtion-Oopyrlght. London, September 8. The Trade Union Congress at Cardiff passed a resolution protesting against the British Government’s decision to carry out on. extensive programme of armaments, and asking for the suspension of all preparation for war until the Washington Conference was over. Mr. Thomae, mover of the motion, claimed tho right of organised Labour to be represented at Washington. Britain had to admit that within two years of the writing of the Versailles Treaty she had laid down four battleships, to cost between 30 and 40 This was a mockery and a farce. Were they not entitled to ask whom she was 'building against? Ths Anglo-Japanese Treaty had caused more friction with America than anything else. The Americans rightly concluded that in the event of war Britain could only take sides against America. Nobody could conceive circumstances warranting a rupture between Britain and America. Britain must go to Washington with clean hands, andset an example by not proceeding with the building of battleship®. Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE AMERICAN DELEGATION APPOINTMENT OF EX-SERVICEMEN IMPOSSIBLE. (Rec. September 9, 8.15 p.m.) Washington, September 8. President Harding, replying to a letter from Representative Jeffers, asking that ex-servicemen should bo appointed to the American delegation to the Armament Conference, declared that this was impossible, although highly desirable. Ihe President added that tho delegation would be limited to four men, including a representative of the Congressional minority, and pointed out that the delegates must be highly trained and have a knowledge of diplomacy, while ex-ser-vicemen would only have a slight experience. It is understood that besides Mr. C. E. Hughes and Senator Lodge the delegation will probably include Senator Underwood and Mr. Root.