AMERICAN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 May 1921, Page 3

AMERICAN ITEMS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION

AMERICA AND DISARMAMENT. WASHINGTON, May 28. The United States Senate decisively defeated an amendment to the Naval bill for authorising the President, at his discretion, to suspend naval construction pending a disarmament conference. The Senate also defeated an amendment to request the President to accept the League of Nations’ Council’s invitation to America to send representatives to participate in a disarmament commission. JAPAN AND DISARMAMENT. NEW YORK, May 27. The New York “Evening Post’s” Tokio correspodent learns from the foreign and naval offices that Japan will gladly accept an invitation to a disarmament conference, whenever President Harding issues a call. The officials do not consider the Japanese Go- , ' eminent’s position inconsistent with that of Inst December, when Count Tsliii led in the blocking of disarmament at the League of Nations Assembly at Geneva. Japan’s opposition then was , due to her unwillingness to adhere to i a.u .agreement not binding on the | Powers outside the League. When similar reductions arc agreed to by the United States and Britain, Japan will be ready to forego part of her con- j struction programme.

MR HARDING’S VIEWS. (Received this day at 12.30 p.m.) "WASHINGTON, May 30. President Harding in a speech at Memorial day ceremonies at the National cemetery, said we find ourselves as people occupying a. place of vast responsibility in the world we stand amongst the leaders to whom it looks for guidance. We cannot evade it if we would for mankind lias fallen on a time when there is no hope for it, if some communities seek isolation while others indulge without restraint in their ambition for the Empire.