WORK OF CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 70, 15 December 1921, Page 7

WORK OF CONFERENCE

END BEFORE CHRISTMAS

EXPECTED

QUADRUPLE TREATY SIGNED

CABLES AND MANDATED

ISLANDS

The quadruple treaty concerning the Pacific has been signed at Washington, An agreement which was signed with the treaty sets out the United States' position regarding island mandates. All the major points before the Conference are expected to be completed before Christmas.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright

Washington, December 12.

Tho completion of tho Yap Convention makes possible tho signing of the Quadruple Treaty concerning the Pacific, which will take place to-morrow morning. All tho seven British delegates will sign.

The Naval Expert Committee, having completed its functions, has been dissolved, and another committee formed, consisting of tho heads of the British, United States, Japanese, French, and Italian delegations, with one civilian and one expert each, the object being to secure direct contact between tho experts and tho committees. Mr. Balfour, Lord Lee, and Captain Chatfield arc the British representatives. M. Viviani’s departure seems to indicate that the French naval questions are either settled or postponed for further consideration in Europe, but most probably tho former.

The possibility was mentioned to-night of a cable convention being signed dealing with the ex-German cables in the Atlantic and Pacific, perhaps not at this Conference, but soon. The convention will bo n quintuple one—Britain, United States, Japan, 'France, ami Italy. Holland gets the cable from Yap to Menado, and Japan the one from Shanghai, which was diverted during the war to the Japanese const. It is also probable that a convention will bo signed shortly between Britain and the United States covering Ihe mandated islands south of tho Equator, so that tho provisions of the Yap Convention have a. special interest to Australians, inasmuch ns it may bo expected that the United States will ask that similar rights and privileges shall bo accorded to her in those islands as in tho case of Yap. Washington, December 13. Tho Quadruple Treaty, dealing with tho Pacific, has been signed. There is everv indication now that nil major points for the Conference will bo completed before. Christmas. These are seven In numbei. of which two, the Quadruple Alliance and tho Yap Convention. arc already out of the way. There remain to lie finalised a ’I renty between Japan and Chinn, covering tho Shantung dispute, of twenty-one demands. There is great hope that a satisfactory settlement, is approaching out of tho present conversation. Thon there is the. Five-Power Treaty, exclusively naval, which is now well on the wav'to adjustment! A further understanding about the advanced naval bases in tho Pacific may take tho form of a Three-Power Troaty-Britaln. the United States, and Japan. Lastly, there is tho Eight-Power Treaty in respect to a policy of the integrity of China, bas»< on the Root resolutions, and a OnePower declaration by China never to make a. treaty alienating territory or tn conflict with tho Root resold Hmso last two may bo combined into a N no Power Treaty.—Special to Australian Press Assn.

AGREEMENT ADDED TO TREATY

(Rec. December 14, 10.30 p.m.) Washington, December 13. Official—The following agreement was signed with the treaty:— Tn signing tho treaty this day between the United States, tho British Empire, France, and Japan, it is declared that (ho understanding and intent of tho signatory powers Tho treaty shall apply to tho mandated islands of the Pacific Ocean; provided, however, that tie making of the treaty shall not. be deemed an assent on the part of the United States to tho mandates, and shall not preclude agreements between the United States, and the mandatory Powers respectively m relation to the mandated islands. Second —Tho controversies to which tho second paragraph of Article I refers shall not be taken to embrace questions which, according to the principles of international law, lie exclusively within the domestic jurisdiction of the respective Powers.

THE SIGNING OF THE DOCUMENT

(Rec. December 14, 10.30 p.m.) Washington, December 13. In keeping with tho usual proceedings at this Conference, tho sighing of the quadruple treaty to-day was marked by an absence of formality. lhe delegates arrived clad in sober civilian garb, ami stood round the secretary’s room, cha ting among themselves, while signing, each one in turn being called to tho table ns though merely completing an ordinary business document, not an instrument which it. was hoped would stabilise conditions in the Pacific for a generation. All tho members of tho four delegations signed except MM. Jusserand and Sarraut, who wore unavoidably airsent. South Africa has been added to the list of British Dominions, Mr. Balfour signing therefor, as well ns the bend of the British delegation. The treaty bi-lingunl, the French translation being parallel with the English. Tho delegates used their own seals and their own pens Urn United States signed first, then Britain, France and Japan, whose four delegates signed in English lottr-. The names of all delegates are incorporated in the treaty The British Dominions ire headed by Sir Robert Borden, then Senator Pearce, Sir John Salmond, and Mr. Balfour. The treaty will bo deposited in the archives of the United States Government, and duly certified copies of it will be transmi ti ed to each of th . signatory Powers—Special to Australian Press Assn. SUBMISSION TO U.S. SENATE (Rec. Docemlx'r 14, 10.30 p.m.) Washington, December 13. Presidential circles indicated that it has not been decided when the treaty shall be submitted to tho Senate. J hoy do not intend rushing it. It will not depend in any way on the naval agreement. Tho President docs not. propose to submit it personally—Special to .Australian Press Assn. JAPANESE PRESS OPINIONS (Rec. December 14, 11.5 p.m.) Tokio, Decomber 13. Editorial opinion regarding the fourPowar alliance is varied and of wide range.

Tho “Yomiuri Shimbun” accepts the pact whole-heartedly, expressing tho hope that all nations will readh tho high pinnacle of virtue therein indicated. Tho “Jiji Shimpo" is pleased with the agreement to prevent a Pacific war, but is afraid it is too loose and vague, and disregards Japan’s vital interests which hitherto were safeguarded by the AngloJapanese Alliance. Tho Osaka “Mainichi Shimbun" finds tho pact significant, since it supersedes tho League of Nations’ arbitrational powers in the Pacific. The "Lushin Shimbun” condemns the treaty as weakening tho Empire. The “Asahi Shimbun” sees a fundamental change in the Empire's foreign policy. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. EFFICIENT TN PREVENTING WARS. Vancouver, December 13. The United Press Agency at Tokio interviewed tho Premier (Viscount Takahashi), who declared that the Quadruple Alliance will prove efficient in preventing future wais. A message from Tokio states that Japanese ironworks and builders of naval vessels have discharged half their em-ployees.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. EMIGRATION FROM JAPAN BEING DIVERTED TO SOUTH AMERICA. (Rec. December 14, 11.15 p.m.) Tokio, December 13. Viscount Takahashi is quoted as saying that ho favours sending Japanese emigrants to South America, where they will lie welcomed, rather than to the United States and Australia. In line with this policy the Government is planning to speed up Japanese emigration to Brazil. Through an agreement between the Government and the Yokohama Specie Bank, which has an office in Rio do Janeiro, the bank wjll advance funds to Japanese emigrants.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. NAVAL RATIO UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE BY JAPAN GOVERNMENT DENOUNCED IN TOKIO. Tokio, December 13. It is reported l that the decision of the Government to accept the naval ratio unconditionally has elicited severe denunciations. Tho "Yorodzu Choho” and tho “Kokumin Shimbun,” the leading anti-Gov-ernment newspapers, both characterise the agreement as a Japanese surrender, and denounce the Administration for submitting to America! The "Kokumin Shimbun” says that America’s insistence on such a small ratio for Japan indicates a future plan to threaten and overpower Japan. The "Yorodzu Choho” declares that naval limitation is part of a long-stand-ing scheme for Anglo-Saxon domination of tho Asiatics, which has now succeeded, and concludes: “Japan no longer has the right to interfere in world matters, not even in tho Far East.” The announcement of the Quadruple Entente is generally well received, with guarded comment. The newspaper "Chugai Shogvo Shimno” snv= it hopes fi'nt America will bo relieved by the elimination of the so-called Japanese menace in the Pacific, and Japan will be equally relieved of the alien menace to Asia. Most of the papers hope that the entente will bo followed by a reduction of tho fortifications in tho Pacific.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. RATIO OF FIVE POWERS AGREEMENT PRACTICALLY REACHED. Washington, December 13. It was indicated to-day that Italy intended to 'lire's i'or a navy the equal to ■France’s, which is in all respects a matter of life and death, to her. Undoubtedly the submarine question will be well ventilated. The British hope was semiofficially expressed to-day that opportunity would bo given for tho whole subject to be debated in open Conference in order to get tho British view favouring total abolition before the world. Tho Australian Press Agency learns to-night from trustworthy sources that tho naval ratio of tho five Powers has been practically agreed to, on tho basis that Franco and Italy bo accorded in principle the right to as largo a capital ship tonnage as Japan, making the proportions five-five-three-three. It is not expected that either France or Italy will build to this tonnage, both now being much below. It is most probable that in practice the tonnage will bo something nearer two hundred and RGy thousand, perhaps less. Britain is not averse io this'ratio,'though it was felt at ono limo that such a preponderating tonnage to other European Powers, bo.h commanding the Suez route, might 'be considered a threat to her. This refers only to the capital ship ratio; tho submarine and auxiliary craft question is awaiting settlement.— Special to Australian Press Assn. JAPAN’S NEW BATTLESHIP • CENTRE OF DISCUSSION. (Rec. December 14, 10.30 p.m.) Washington, December 13. Though other meetings of the Big Three will be necessary before the finalising of the naval ratio question, the British spokesman to-day said ho was basing his optimism as' much on the advices ho had received from London as here. It looks as if the discussion is now centring round the retention of the Mutsu, tho Japanese battleship, the problem of the naval holiday, and outlying fortifications. If Japan keeps the Mutsu, it will mean a rearrangement of thy plans for a naval holiday-to enable tho building of ships of equal power by Britain and the United States.Special to Australian Press Assn. CHINA AND JAPAN CONVERSATIONS SLOWING DOWN. (Rec. December 14, 11.15 p.m.) Washington, December 13. The Chinese and Japanese conversations aro slowing down, though Air. Hanihara to-night said he was still optimistic regarding a satisfactory settlement of the Shantung railway question. It seems that the Japanese proposal for joint control was met by Chinese counter-proposals to take back the railway with compensation to Japan for moneys spent and the assumption of Japanese liab’lity to the original German owners. The Japanese have asked Hint certain points in this count er-nro-posnl should be further elucidated. The Chinese say they cannot understand the Japanese reonests. Tho hope is expressed, however, that an agreement ■ will be reached to-morrow. Official. —The Cbinoso and Japanese delegates continued the discussion of the question of tho Kaochow-Thina” railway. The meeting lias adjourned.—Special to Australian Press Assn. ’ CHINA’S MAIL SERVICES WITHDRAWAL OF FOREIGN POST OFFICES. Washington, December 12.

Mr. Sze, in a statement, said that China had always handled efficiently all foreign mail. She appreciated tho fact that with tho withdrawal of foreign pest offices tho amount will be much increased, and she undertakes to handle it with tho samo efficiency, making such additions to personnel and equipment, as are required. China will transmit the mails to Europe over tho Siberian route, when it is again opened, and will hold her-

self responsible for railway transportation of mails by tin uninterrupted ser-vice.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. RADIO STATIONS IN CHINA POLICY OF EQUAL OPPORTUNITY. Washington, December 12. Tho committee considered the radio stations question,' which had lieen postponed. Mr. Wang, in a statement on the spheres of influence in China’s division, said that theso spheres were most unfortunate. The Powers took.the view that these territories were reserved to them exclusively, and had no regard of China’s economic needs. The system was contrary to the policy of equal opportunity, and threatened the political integrity of China. The delegation asked tho Powers to disavow all claims in the spheres of interest, or any special interests within the territory of Chinn. The matter was adjourned.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. NO ENTANGLING ALLIANCES I* UNITED STATES’ UNDERTAKINGS. Philadelphia, December 13. Mr. Calvin Coolidge (Vice-President of tho United States), in a speech expressed satisfaction at the accomplishments of the Armament Conference, especially President Harding’s intimation of future meetings, and the possibility of Germany being included. He pointed out that, while some expressed fear that the United States might become involved' in the affairs of other countries to the detriment of Americans, the Republican Party’s platform specially provided for the' United States’ participation in such undertakings, which in no way would have the character of entangling alliances. He concluded that in future meetings of the same kind it would further carry out the platform principle — Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE STATUSOF INDIA MR. SASTRI’S VIEWS. (Rec. December 14, 11.15 p.m.) Washington, December 13. Mr. Sastri, in a statement, said: "The day is not distant when India will be. a co-equal partner with Canada, and Australia in the British Empire, and India’s voice at Washington will not be that of a. British dependency. Tho peoples of tho subject nation will be there as plenipotentiaries exactly on -he name status ns at the Pen.ee Conference.”—Special to Australian Press Assn.