THE WASHINGTON CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 42, 12 November 1921, Page 7

THE WASHINGTON CONFERENCE

PROGRAMME FOR FIRST SESSION COMMITTEES TO CONSIDER CHIEF PROBLEMS ARMAMENTS, THE PACIFIC AND THE FAR EAST It is suggested that the United States may offer so much at the Washington Conference that other nations will be compelled to accept the offer and end war. By Telegraph—Pres* Association—Copyright (Rec. November 11, 9.5 p.m.) New York, November 10. The 'Washington correspondent of the New York "Times” says that tho State Department has announced tho formal programme for the first session of the Disarmament Conference. There will be two addresses, one by President Harding and the other by tho presiding officer. It is , believed that Mr. Charles Hughes (Secretary of State) will bo chosen for that post. The Secretariat-General will be chosen, also two committees, ons of which will deal with the limitation of armaments and the other with Paciflo and Far Eastern questions. The former committee will be composed cf the heads of the five principal delegations, and the latter will include, in addition, the beads of four other delegations.

An adjournment will then be taken until November 15, in order to give, the two committees an opportunity to meet and rsconcilo opinions concerning the scope of tho conference ft is the belief of most delegates that this can be accomplished by November 15. and reports prepared which may be used as a working basis, at least for the early deliberations. Public meetings cf the conference will bo held in the Continental Memorial Hall of ths Daughters of the American Revolution. It was at first, proposed to use the Hall of Hie Americas in the PauAmerican building, but it was found impossible to provide sufficient'accommodation there for the resident diplomats, members' of the Cabinet, members of the Senate and House of Representatives, and tho Press correspondents, besides the delegations. Two hundred and seventy of the 1300 available seats ■ have been granted to newspaper men. Unique and complete ' working facilities have been provided for the delegates and,Press correspondents.—Aus -N.Z. Cable Assn. AMERICA MAY SURPRISE WORLD 1 AN OFFER TO END WAR. New York,' November 10. Mr. William X Bryan believes that the United States may surprise _ tho world by offering so, much at the Washington Conference that the other nations will be compelled to accept the offer and end war. He says’ that America could afford to say: “We are willing to pay ten thousand millions- for progressive disarmament of the world to be begun immediately' and continued till- navies are 'unnecessary.”—Reuter. CONFIDENCE AND HIGH HOPE BUT IMPOSSIBLE- NOT EXPECTED. Washington, November. 10. Mr. Balfour has arrived. In a statement referring to bis last visit to the United States, he said: “Nothing could lesS resemble the . work that was done in 1917 than the work in which wo are alt concerned in 1921. But they are not only intimately connected, but- form ii part of the same great international endeavour. It is said that he would Ke ft rash prophet who would say that the victories of peace arc easier of attainment. than 'he victories of war. But surely we may approach these new labours in a spirit of confidence «nd high hope. We must not, indeed, either ask for or expect the impossibip. What is within our reach is worth our utmost efforts. I cannot doubt that, under the wise guidancJ of your President, we shall be fortunate;' enough to attain it, and that, this world’s desire will not fail of accomplishment.’’—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. [Mr. Balfour headed the British Diplo-matic-Mission to Washington, in 1917.] SIR laN HAMILTON’S FEARS “LIKE SMOKE CONCERT IN POWDER If AG AZINE.” (Rec.. November 11, 5.5 p.m.). . London, November 10.' Sir lan Hamilton, speaking .at the Press Club, .'■aid that the Japanese were sensible people, who realised that, apart from their magnificent navy and army, (hey were economically worse equipped than other Powers. But they knew that if they wanted »o become bellicose, they could easily capture. Hong-Kong or. the Philippines, from which it. would take anyone -five , years ..to expel them. The Japanese were not pugnaciously inclined, but-it was impossible to frighten, browbeat, and bully them. The Japanese knew exactly th® capacity of the Sibeiion railway, and realised that if warships crossed the Pacific to attack Japctn they, could not return’owing to tho’ absence of naval bases. ' Sir lan Hamilton declared that the Press end public of the British Empire ought to be aware of thi*-e things before entering the conference at ’Washington, which was like a smoking concert in a powder, magazine. It would be better to allow Japan to have the whole cf China, than to-face another war. Most of the other nations had received mandates, but. Japan had not. “If it is projmsed to. block Japan’s safety-valve. Jie adder!, "we had better don gasmasks. — Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. AUSTRALASIAN DELEGATES ARRIVE Washington, November 10. The Australasian delegates have arrived. At a ceremony to-day, Mr. Pearce paid a tribute to the Canadian and American Governments for the travelling facilities: which were provided for the Australian and New Zealand delegations from Vancbuvew. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. HOPES OF LABOUR fONFERENCE Geneva, November 20. The Labour Conference has cabled President Harding, s-teting: "The conference. representing G-oveirninent employees -and workers of 39 nations, on the eye of the Armament Conference expresses its deep appreciation of President Harding’s great purpose in convening it, and earnestly hope* that it will achieve solid e-nd lasting work and will firmly establish the pence of the world.”—Aus.,N.Z. Cable .Assn. THE FUTURE OF CHINA (Rec. November 11, 7.40 p.m.) Naw York, November 10. The New York "Times” Washington carrespondent interviewed Mr. Wellington Koo, Chinese Minister ill. London, who snid: "There will be the most uncompromising hostility to any protwsal seeking to deprive us of the opportunity of remaining masters of our own destinies. The suggestion that we shall yield to some scheme of international control inspires ns with the gravest -suspicion.” Aus.-N.Z. Cabie Assn.