POWERS’ CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 40, 10 November 1921, Page 5

POWERS’ CONFERENCE

CONFRONTED BY COMPLEX DIFFICULTIES JAPAN’S FAR EAST CLAIMS WIDELY DIFFERENT VIEWS OF CHINA According to a special correspondent at Washington, the riddle of the Fay East is the greatest and most complex difficulty confront- 1 ing the conference. It is feared that Mr. Hara’s death may profoundly modify the policy of the Japanese delegates. Admiral Kato, however, says that Japan is ready to cut down her naval programme if any proposition of conference demands it. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, November 7. A special correspondent to tho Washington Conference, referring to tho greatness and complexity of tho difficulties confronting the Conference, says the chief of them are not tho Pacific problems, but the whole riddle of the Far East. Japan enters the Conference fully convinced of the justice of her Far East claims. It is that every conviction which may prove ft stumbling-block, because the Chinese and Japanese ideas of a just settlement differ most widely. If Japan succeeds in pressing her views to the point of recognition, the Chinese may withdraw; but this is anticipating a crisis which is not yot sighted. The late Mr. Hara was regarded in America as a brake on the Japanese military party. It is doubted whether another moderate, equally able and forceful, oan. bo found to replace him, and it is feared that hfi, disappearance may profoundly modify the policy of tho delegates in essence, though not in profession.

The whole atmosphere of the coming Conference is one of serious realisation of the obstacles ahead, commingled with an earnest and by no means forlorn hope of ultimate success. A vigorous campaign is proceeding for open discussions. Rumours from New York indicate the likelihood that Sinn Fein, sympathisers are coming to Washington to carry on propaganda designed to create complica-tions.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. EFFECT OF MIL HARA’S DEATH ON JAPANESE MILITARY PARTY ATTITUDE MAY BE STIFFENED. ' London, ■ November 7. "Tho Times” correspondent at Washington states that the assassination of Mr. Hara has had a disturbing effect on American thought regarding the Conference, and has deranged expectations founded on tho belief in Mr. Hara’s moderate tendencies and tho assumption that his influence might have prevailed over that commonly attributed to tho Japanese Military and General Staff. It is thought possible that tho Japanese official attitude at the Conference may be stiffened. In any case, tho crime is a sharp reminder that the success of tho Conference may depend loss on sayings and doings of statesmen than tho outcome of an obscure domestic struggle in Japan. It is an undoubted' fact that an important, and possibly Jho predominant, section of Japanese opi’nton holds the moment propitious for an attempt to extend and consolidate Japanese political and economic supremacy in the Far East. It believed that the strategic superiority on sea and land 'by Japan, already secured at great cost, should not be compromised by tho limitation .of armaments or the internationalisation of control of the Western Pacific or the Asiatic mainland’. While tho special position of Japan in North-eastern Asia should be admitted without pedantry, it would lie futilo to forget that there are limits beyond which neither iho United States nor the other Pacific Powers can go to meet Japanese wishes. In particular, tho British -Empire and France have almost fundamentally identical views and interests with the United States there. Moreover, there is reason to believe that Japanese statesmen will understand that pursuit of tho aims attributed to tho. Japanese General Staff would antagonise tho British Commonwealth of Nations as inevitably and swiftly as the United States itself. /The conviction is growing in many quarters that the more general tho appreciation of this truth is in Japan, especially in the militarist section of opinion, tho clearer will be tho perception of tho Ultimate risk to Japan which an aggressive policy must involve, and consequently tho stronger will bo tho chances that the Washington Conference may succeed in securing pence through hearty co-operation with Japanese statesmen on a footing of frank , equality.—" The Times."

JAPAN’S NAVAL PROGRAMME PREPARED FOR REDUCTION

ADMIRAL KATO INTERVIEWED. (Rec. November 9, 8.15 p.m.) Washington, Novepiber 8. Admiral Tomosaburo Kato '(Japanese Minister of Marine), interviewed, said: “If any proposition at the Conference should demand the cutting down of our naval programme wo aro ready to do so. I have not any programme to offer, but in accordance with tho development of the American proposals wo may have some suggestions to offer. Japan has never expected, and never entertained tho idea, that she should possess a navy equal to Britain’s or the United States’." The Admiral dwelt on the necessity for Japan to obtain materials for trade on tho Asiatic mainland, which was only a source of added wealth to tho United States. Japan did not intend to deprive tho peoples of these territories of what was rightfully and exclusively theirs. Ho added that the Shantung situation was not understood. Japan did not intend l to hold tho territory, and had already withdrawn her troops, save two thousand for guarding tho railways. She was ready to turn the territory over to China when the latter was ready to negotiate. Tho correspondent asked whether Japan was willing to reduce her eight-cruiser, eight-battleship programme. Admiral Kato replied that she would willingly, and pointed out that the programme was due for completion by 1926.—Au5.-N.Z. Cable Assn. -

STEP TO PRODUCE A BETTER WORLD MR. BALFOTTP’R VIEWS ON THE CONFERENCE. (Reo. November 9, 9 p.m.) Ottawa, November 9. Mr. Balfour, in a statement at Quebec, said: “I do not believe this Disarmament Conference can do everything. I am personally confident of a step gradually being made to produce a better and improved world, a siep which in all history will bo tho greatest. I go to Washington with that hope.” The correspondent states that Mr. Balfour said ho wanted to see President Harding and Mr. Hughes before forming any opinion of the Conference. Mr. Balfour contini ued: “I have therefore Included In any.

remarks I made matters which are a little outside the actual work upon which we shall bo engaged. The Conference means an exchange of ideas, and if necessary a modification of ideas. If I wore to express them beforehand I would Ire likely to Tender it futile and very likely would do more harm than good. It will be a success if I find among my colleagues tho confidence and the same spirit that animates tho Government which I represent.’’—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. INTERNATIONAL SITUATION CONFERENCE THE ONLY BRIGHT SPOT. (Rec. November 9, 5.5 p.m.) London, November 8. Mr. Asquith, speaking at Glasgow, said: “The only bright spot in the International situation is tho assembling of tho Washington Conference, which will belie all hopes if it does not result in agreement upon a scheme for the wholesale reduction of armaments.”— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. CHINESE CONSORTIUM'S ACTIVITIES INVESTIGATION BY CONFERENCE EXPECTED. (Rec. November 9, 8.15 p.m.) New York, November 8. According to the Washington correspondent of the “New York Timos, it is understood* the Senate will investigate charges by Mr. Lenox Simpson, the Chinese delegation’s adviser, that China refused to accept the Consortium’s recent offer of a sixteen million dollar loan on the ground that the Morgan Company held an issue of Chinese bonds related to Germany which China repudiated. It is expected the Conference, will investigate the Consortium’s activities. Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. admissiotTof PRESS FAVOURED BY UNITED STATES SENATE. Washington, November 8. The Senate adopted Senator Harrison’s resolution requesting the American delegates to use their influence to have representatives of the Press admitted to the Disarmament Conference, and to have a complete record of the proceedings kept. The vote was taken on the voices. The resolution, as originally moved by Senator Harrison, protested against any form of censorship and when it was called on, a hot debate followed. Senator Lodge opposed the proposal ns a breach of good manners. Senator Harrison then agreed to alter the resolution. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS DESIRED. (Rec. November 9, 8.15 p.m.) New York, November 8. The Washington correspondent of the "New' York Times” says it is interesting to note that Senator Harrison’s resolution does not give expression to tho Senate’s desire tp have newspaper men made a party to the Conference’s private deliberations. Senator Harrison pointed out that the only purpose, of the measure was to request the admission of pressmen to those full sessions of the Conference where tho votes were recorded The resolution as adopted desires the Conference to maintain a record containing The proceedings of the Conference when the matters for which the Conference has been-.called for are considered and acted upon, and the admission of pressmen to the meetings where the questions are considered, but Senator Harrison informed the Senate in supporting the resolution that nothing would be done to embarrass the Conference by asking for any information concerning the closed sessions—Aus.-N .Z. Cable Assn. BRITISH DELEGATES AT QUEBEC Quebec, November 8. Mr A J. Balfour, Earl Cavan, Sir .Tohn’ .Tordan, Sir Maurice Sankey, and other members of the British delegation and its staff have arrived, and were welcomed bv tho Premier of the Province, Mr. L. A. Tascherau. Mr A Meighen, Prime Minister ot Canada, has left for Washington.-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. SECRETARV-GENFRAL OF THE CONFERENCE THE PROBABLE APPOINTEE. (Rec. November 9, 8.15 p.m.) New York, November 8. Tho Washington correspondent of the “New York Times” states that Mr. John Work Garrett, of Baltimore, will receive the American nomination as SecretaryGeneral of the Armament Conference. This it is expected will' be approved. Mr Garrett comes of a prominent Maryland family,:'and has served in various diplomatic posts, including Minister to Venezuela, Argentina, the Netherlands, and Luxemburg, and on many international commissions. - including that appointed for the inspection of German prison camps, at the request of the french Government.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ___