NAVAL DISARMAMENT

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 30, 29 October 1921, Page 7

NAVAL DISARMAMENT

JAPAN LIKELY TO LEAD THE RACE MAY OFFER TO SUSPEND BUILDING PROGRAMME THE BURDENS OF TAXATION The "Daily Express” is of the opinion now that Japan, instead of being the most militaristic Power, is likely to lead the race for naval disarmament. Admiral Kato, however, says that Japan is ready to cut down her navy if the Powers reach an understanding at Washington, but if no international accord is reached Japan will not cut down her plans by an Inch. By Telegraph— Press Association—Copyright London, October 27. The “Daily Express” says that it is now clear that Japan, far from being the most militaristic Power, is likely to lead tho race for naval disarmament, and may even offer to suspend her own building programme without asking the United States or Britain to do the same, if her position in China is solved satisfactorily. Japanese statesmen feel that in the financial' race for command of the Pacific Japan must be beaten by the United States in the long run. Already the burdens of taxation are producing increasing discontent among the workers and commercial classes. The Japanese delegates will make a proposal for naval disarmament which wil stagger the world, but she will ask for the right to peacefully develop Manchuria and Shantung.—Aus.-N:Z. Cable Assn. READY TO CUT DOWN NAVY U' UNDERSTANDING REACHED AT WASHINGTON. (Rec. October 28, 7.25 p.m.) New York, October 27. Admiral Kato (Japanese Minister of Marine), in an interview, stated that Japan was ready to cut down her navy if the Powers reached an understanding at the Washington Conference. He had been criticised as tlia man responsible for Japan’s naval programme, and therefore loath to undo his work, but there was nothing further from the truth. Admiral Kato added that if no international accord was reached at the conference Japan could not and would not cut down, her naval plans by a single inch.—Reuter. AMERICA’S EFFORT ON BEHALF OF PEACE PRESIDENT HARDING HOPEFUL OF GOOD RESULTS. (Rec. October 28, 9.35 p.m.) New York, October 27. At Atlanta, President Harding in a speech said: “I believe it is wholly consistent to preach peace and its triumphs with that convincing sincerity which an unselfish nation commands and yet make sure about our proper defence. Manifestly mankind is disposed to try that experiment, and if the trying nations shall fail it will not bo the fault of the United States. We are ready to offer a helping hand ini the new path. We tendered our invitation and the cordial acceptance which has come from every quarter leads to an earnest hope of good results. Tt should not bo needful for me to repeat that in whatever contribution we can make to the establishment of the new order we shall not surrender any of our national independence. America will be America first, hut never merely selfish.” —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

BRITAIN’S ATTITUDE PROFOUND EFFECT ON RELATIONS WITH UNITED STATES. (Rec. October 28, 10.15 p.m.) London, October 27. Viscount Bryce, in his speech at the English-speaking Union, referring to the Washington Conference, stated that the attitude adopted by Britain would have a profound effect on the future relations of the two countries. American sentiment as a whole strongly desired a reduction of the navy, but even if it were ir*aintkuned at tho present strength there was disquiet us. The Washington Conference had proved that America could not remain detached from tho League of Nations.—Aus.-N.Z. Ca’ble Assn. SPEECH BY ADMIRAL BEATTY WORLD’S SUPREME INTEREST IN THE CONFERENCE. (Rec. October 29, 0.5 a.m.) New York, October 28. Admiral Beatty, in a speech, said: “I discount utterly tho possibility of serious differences arising between our two countries. Our every interest and instinct bind us together. I believe it is absolutely necessary to have the closest intercourse between the United States and Britain in every sphere of activity. It is not a question of mistering an artificial man-made alliance, but it is a question of keeping alive and awake the communion which is right and natural between our people. the world will watch with surpreme interest the deliberations of the Washington Conference, and nowhere more so than in the British Empire, in the full hope that the meeting of the representatives of the great, countries will devise a formula by means of which the burdens will be reduced.”—Aus.-N.Z. Cable nssn. DEVELOPMENT GF~THE CONFERENCE INTO AN ARRANGEMENT FOR WORTH CONTROL. (Rec. October 28, 9.35 p.m.) New York. October 27. Mr. H. G. Wells, who has arrived to write a series of articles on the Armament Conference, stated in an interview: "The conference is one with extraordinary possibilities in regard to Battling some questions which now perplex the world. On the other hand, it may dwindle. If it dies the're must h> another, for the -attorn, of tho world must combine for tho collective handling of matters which interest all. Unless this is done the process of disintegration which hewn -in 1914,. will continue. I I,..]ipve that if the conference continues if will bo bound to develop into an arrangement for world eeniTol. not onlv of international policies, but of financial nnd economic questions also. These questions ennnot longer be handled in nnv other wav limn on an intrenational basis."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ANGLO-JAPANESE ALLIANCE “PASSED ItFuSEFULNESS” LOUD NORTH CLTFFE’S VIEWS. Hong Kong. October 27. Lord Northcliffe, interviewed, stated that he had gradually come to the conclusion that the Anglo-Japanese, Alliance had passed its usefulness. The purpose of the Washington Conference was to reach a mutual agreement, but the United States was handicapped by the arrangement already made between Japan

and Britain regarding China, which was the chief problem of the Pacific. The Anglo-Japanese Alliance undoubtedly was the dominating factor which now prevented an unfettered attempt by Britain, Japan, and the United States to solve the problems of the Pacific. The prolongation of the alliance only served to irritate- public and official opinion in the United States and humiliated China. Lord Northcliffe added that the prestige of Britain in Asia would not Ire affected by a reconciliation between the diverging interests of Japan and tho United States. China at present could not give satisfactory national guarantees, therefore it was urgently necessary to make international assistance to China a practical possibility. There could be no solution of the Pacific problems which did not rest on the solid foundation of An-glo-American friendship and co-opera-tion. Unfortunately the Anglo-Japanese alliance, had been prolonged beyond the point where it was understood by the Americans or liked by the Chinese. Reuter.