LIMITING ARMIES

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 54, 26 November 1921, Page 7

LIMITING ARMIES

QUESTION SHELVED FOR THIS CONFERENCE ALL EUROPEAN POWERS MUST AGREE DISCUSSIONS LONG STEP ON ROAD TO PEACE < FAREWELL ADDRESS BY M. BRIAND The question of land armaments has been practically shelved so far as the present Conference is concerned, Until all the European Powers agree together there is no chance of general disarmament. M. Briand, in fanewell speeches, however, expressed satisfaction with the work done, and said France had no need to fear moral isolation. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Washington,-November 24. M. Briand, in taking farewell of the Conference, paid a tribute to the courageous initiative of the American Government. He expressed the deepest gratitude of his colleagues for the words spoken addressed to France. He was certain that the, exchange of friendly declarations which had taken place before the whole. world would enable Europe to take a great step forward .on the road ,to peace. No longer would anyone bo able to say that the armaments of France were a mask to-offensive in-, tentions. To-morrow" the French Parliament would take up consideration' of the military problem with the desire to make the greatest possible progress in the realm of reduction of her military burdons. Probably the period of military servioe would be reduced by half. Thanks to the words ejxikeii.,- at Washington, a decision would be reached in a serene, atmosphere. In an interview, M. Briand said that he regarded his mission her? as successful. He considers that lie is taking back to his countrymen a recognition-of their special position, France had been assured of support, and had not been asked to limit her army any further than her intention before the Conference. He had refrained from asking for any special formal resolution, because he" thought it might restrict the effect of the words spoken "by all the delegates. It is understood this resolution mav bo tabled before the "Conference adjourns finally. The question of land armaments has been practically Shelved as far as this Conference is concerned, except on such matters as to-day were referred to ..subcommittees, , There are not enough nations represented.here, and until all the European Powers agree together. including Russia, Germany, and the Little Entente, th?i'e"' is no chance of general disarmament'.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

NO FEAR OF MORAL ISOLATION ALLIES’ PERFECT TRUST IN FRANCE ' AL BRIANITS ADVICE’ TO GETt-MAN-AMERICANS. (Rec. November 26, 0.5 a.m.) New York, November 24. M. Briand, in a speech prior to embarkation. said:—“ln coming hero I was certain •;to’ ! find that the- Conference would lend an effective arm to the views of France. I was not surprised. therefore, at my explanations at the Washington Conference being welcomed with "such unanimous applause. T had pleasure in seeing and hearing all djio representatives of other countries i\ho have been our Allies, who all have perfect trust in my . xountry. France should never .fear moral isolation. Franco has an army "which is ready to serve Vhb world by protecting it against disorder and anarchy in whalever form they may present themselves.” The Premier pointed out- that France did not trample on Germany as the latter trampled on France in 1871. She did not use an army to collect the German reparations. He added: “In spite of many houses in mourning in our country, I cannp.t say there is any feeling of hatred in our hearts. There is one condition whore Germany can fulfil her obligations; t'hat is for the old Germany to disappear—the Germany --which was a nation of prey--leaving room for a Germany of peace and liberty, recognising - the rights of other peoples. But the old Germany has not disappeared. It is still lying in wait, and would you like France to say that" she was going to lay down her arms, do nothing, and" see her neighbour’go ahead with her army? France has no right to desert her own cause or t-ho cause of peace, because if she weakened herself there would lio an end to the peace of the world. I would like to Say to the German-Americans who fought nobly by the side of I'rancei .in war: ‘Why do you not -speak across the seas to those who belong to your former country? Why don t you tell them that vou have nothing to fear from France?’ Wo are only too ready to encourage and conciliate Germany. We shall do everything in our power to discourage and avoid reasons for nar and ensure peaceful relations not only between us and Germany/but the whole world. Whatever resolutions may be the outcome of the "Washington- Conference—and tlhere will bo many resolutions which Franco will lie glad to support—they will mark a serious step bn tho road to progress and peace.’ -Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. '

FRANCE’S REAL PROTECTION COMBINATION OF GREAT POWERS SPEECH BY LORD CURZON. (Rec. November 25, 5.5 p.m.) London, November 21. Lord Curzon, speaking at the Cannon Street Hotel, where he was given a luncheon by the United Wards Club, said that the steps taken at AV ashington marked a great and notable stride forward in the moral progress ot mankind. It was useless to reduce imyal armament's if nations still contemplated accumulating vast land armamen.s. It France adopted an isolated, individual policy of her own she would not rum or injure Germany, and would tail to protect herself. France’s real sense ot protection arose not from her soldiers value, great as it was, not from the strength of her armies, not even from the inexhaustible spirit of her peoplp or the justice of her-cause. It arose trom the fact that tho conscience an< combined physical forces of the world, including the Great Powers, Europe, and America would not tolerate the reappearance in the heart of Europe ol a great and dangerous Power rattling the sword in the scabbard and becoming a menace to the world. We would only convert Germany into a peaceful meniIxir of the European International Court if the Great Powers combined, not merely to enforce the Treaty, but to make it clear that no policy of retaliation or revenge would be tolerated, ami snowing willingness to assist Germany to play her part, provided she gave evidence of

her sincerity and good faith. “As long as Britain, France, and Italy hold 1 together, I am hopeful of attaining this result. If Britain, tho world’s greatest naval Power, depending for her daily existence on the command l of the sea, was willing to reduce the Navy, others ought not to be allowed to build other instruments of attack from the air or under the sea, rendering our sacrifice nugatory. Only by all the nations acting in a common policy could wc re-establish peace in Europe." Referring to the Middle East, Lord Curzon said he did not want to see either Greece or Turkey victorious. He wanted to see peace. Any country attempting to steal a march and making its own arrangements would derive no advantage. The Allies would again try to make peace, but could not succeed unless their actions were united. —Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. “GRAVE PUBLIC UTTERANCE.’” (Rec. November 26, 0.5 a.m.) London, November 25. The newspapers comment on Lord Cur. zon’s speech, the "Daily News” stilting: “Lord Curzon’s warning to France is a very grave public utterance." —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. NEGATIVE RESULTS "FIGARO’S” OPINION OF CONFERENCE. Paris, November 24. The “Figaro,” referring to M. Briand’s depiirture from America, says: “It must he considered that the Washington Conference is over, and its results are nega-tive.”—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE HUGHES NAVAL PLAN INFLUENCE OF FRANCE AND . ITALY. London, November 24. The "Westminster Gazette’s" correspondent at Washington says that it is plain that France and Italy could, if they chose, make Mr. Hughes s naval plan impossible. The recognition of this fact comes with a certain shock to American opinion, but it is necessary and salutary, helping to show the Americans the impossibility of cutting loose from Europe.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. SATISFACTORY PROGRESS MADE STATEMENT BY EARL BEATTY. Washington, November 24. Earl Beatty confirms the impression that his departure indicates that things are going well. He declares that very satisfactory progress has been made, and that he is leaving with equanimity.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn, THE CHINESE”PROBLEM DELEGATION’S CREDENTIALS QUESTIONED STABILITY OF PEKING GOVERNMENT.

Washington, November 24.

A statement has been definitely made from several source! that Ihe French delegation at yesterday’s meeting of the Far Eastern Committee questioned tho credentials of the Chinese delegation to speak with authority for tho whole of China. The Chinese delegates replied that they .repre-sented the only Government recognised by the Powers, but the incident reveals one of the main complexities of the Chinese problem. The French attitude is explainable, because the South China. Government, with its borders on Indo-China, is more.closely associated with France’s interests. At the seme time it is increasingly plain that, the Chinese delegation, while vigorously presenting China’s case, cannot pledge the whole country to accent ths results. Therefore, after Senator Underwood's committee clears up the mysteries of Chinese finance, possibly th? next step will lie to det-’-mine the scope and stability of the Peking Government. It is regarded as. probable that the Powers will, insist on the maintenance of the consortium dealing' with Chinn s fiscal affairs. The members of the Italian delegation yesterday ranvyd themselves with the other nations desiring participation, fakinv Hie 'view that the addition of Hair might remove some c* ,fhe Chinese objections tn the plan. The presumption is that the provisions of tho consortium will Im adopted without important modification J There is every si"n I 1 '"! Um co"troversial stages of the deliberations will b- soon reached. Already the. Chinese and Japanese are nt v-rmnoe in statements as to what should bo brought up. The Chinese sav tlmfe msf events and act’ will be naturallv disonsse' 1 . 1 Mr, TTanihara. who is/nkirm Mr. Sliirlehara’sX place on the delomition. snvs that accomplished facts, mmh as .Tanan's r .erl«il rights in Manchuria, cann-rf ho taken nn without th" consent of all Hm delegations, the implication brine that (here are some noinfs wli’ch Tenon yll not agree to discuss.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

FOREIGN INFLUENCE NOT TO BF ENTIRELY REMOVED. Washington, November 24.

The Conference will not entirely unshackle China from foreign influence, and thq Chinese are not. entirely pleased with some of the principles enunciated in the Root resolutions, but it is evident that the Republican Government, whatever its protestations, is unable to enforce its will or commit a large part of inland China. For example, while the delegation declares that it favours the abolition of the likin (the tax on inland trade between districts), flint is not likelv to' be effected in face of the opposition of the Tuchuns (military governors), for whom tlyf likin provides a big source of revenue. On the other hand, several Powers consider the likin will be abolished if the tariff is raised.— Aus.-N.Z, Cable Assn. ECONOMIC RF-WWSIIMENT OF <■ WORLD AMERICA’S MANIFEST DUJI'Y’. Paris, November 24. Speaking at "the American Club, Mr. Myron T. Herrick, American Ambassador. said: “We Americans were recalled bv the war from our money-making, and at last the great intellect of America has begun to understand that America must co-operate in the economic re-establish-ment of the world. We have recognised it as our manifest duty to restore the balance of the broken-down world. Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.