EMPIRE'S INTERESTS FIRST.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 July 1921, Page 3

EMPIRE'S INTERESTS FIRST.

AIR HUGHES REPLIES TO MR MEIGHEN.

UNITED STATES’ ATTITUDE TOWARDS TREATY.

LONDON, June 29

Mr Meighen was the first speaker on the Anglo-Japanese Treaty to-day, followed by Air Hughes, who had not completed his speech by mid-day, resuming late in the afternoon. Before the midday adjournment Mr Aleighen was compelled to leave, to lunqh with the Prince of Wales. Mr Lloyd George who was presiding, interrupted MiHughes’ reply, remarking that it was advisable that Mr Afeighdn should hear him. Mr Hughes accepted the opportunity thankfully, also being anxious that the Canadian should not inisS bile word. Air Aleighen spoke in a monotone and was not interrupted throughout his address, but he interjected several times while Mr Hughes was speaking. Both speeches were followed 1 with the closest attention by all the delegates. At one stage Air Aleighen and General Smuts exchanged remarks inawlibly. No official statement lias been issued. Air Meighen is said to have traversed iUond Curzon’s speech, pointing out weaknesses in the treaty arrangement. While he is not averse to renewal, there are certain conditions and modifications which he insisted should he acceptable to the United States, whose interests are common with those of Canada. He opposed setting up, if possible to avoid it, a second League of Nations which was likely to upset the balance of the other, defeating its purposes. It was not desirable that the nations should group in direct opposition to the spirit that led to the initiation of the League of Nations. If the Anglo-Japanese treaty were renewed there was no reason why other countries should not enter into a similar arrangement, thus defeating the ideals put before the world after the war. The League of Nations aimed at stopping war by disarmament. ff this were carried into effect there would bo no need for the renewal. Arguments which prevailed formerly did not apply now in the changed world. The Government of the United States might approve of a form of renewal approved of by this conference, hut the people would oppose it, if not satisfactory from their viewpoint. The same might lie said of Canada. Mr Hiii.'lies said h<- could not understand the representative of any dominion not placing the Empire first. He was desirous that the treaty should he renewed in terms agreeable to the United States, hut it must first be in terms advantageous and agreeable to the dominions and the Empire. It certainly was tt difficult problem to face, hut not insurmountable. The League of Nations’ ideals were in every way desirable and must appeal strongly to every reasonable man. They could not however, overlook the fact that the country which initiated the League was not a, member of iT, while practically

every other country except Bolshevik Russia had joined the League. The Em pire being a member, was endeavouring as far as possible to live up to its ideals, yet the world saw the country which suggested the League (but failed to join) now competing to build the largest navy in the world. He favoured putting into the renewal treaty a clause providing for its termination the instant all nations disarmed, or even as soon as the United States and Japan disarmed. What could It,, fairer? After all the proposal was only to continue something, not to begin suite new aggressive combination. Britain had joined tip, League of Nations subscribed to its ideals, and was anxious to live up to them, yet could not proceed while otfier countries wore rushing into an orgy of expenditure on munitions of war. The position which Britain agreed to he desirable she was unable to reach unless others co-operat-ed. The Empire had also appealed to America to stop building ships, hut so fitr-there was no whisper of agreement. .Mr Chamberlain bad said that competition in armaments between Britain and America was not merely a tragedy for both countries, bill a tragedy for Unwind,, civilised world, and he agreed with him. Air Lloyd George :.lsn bad said, “We are ready to discuss with American statesmen any proposal for

limitation of armaments, and can undertake that no such overtures will find lack of willingness on our part to meet thorn,” yet no response* so far as he knew had been received. If America agreed to disarm, and Japan also, Britain would hasten to stand by the obligations to which, she had subscribed by joining the League. In existing circumstances hi' could see no possible argument against renewal of the treaty, with necessary modifications. He was just as anxious as any one else that the terms should he acceptable to the Lnited States, as it .was vital in the interests of civilisation that an understanding should exist between America, and the Empire. Every endeavour should lie made to ascertain exactly the American view and make it clear that the treaty was not aimed against her, because war with America was unthinkable. At tlu' same time be could not understand the view point which made renewal of the Japanese treaty a matter for American approval, provided the dominions and the Empire were satisfied. M.I? 11 EG l-lES’S SPEECH. LONDON, June JO Mr 11 ughes’s speech made a profound impression. The delegates listened intent l.v, and were much stirred when Mr Hughes .■•aid. “Yon practically declare that Canada will not sign unless Amoi i'-.a :ippro\’i‘s. 11 MY 7*l s.innshing rejoinder to Mr Meighon is regarded as the strongest appeal for Empire unify heard For some time. It was delivered earnestly and impressively, and the effect was progressively lioiiceable. When Mr Hughes sat down there was a

murmur of appr ’.al. The speech changed the whole tone el the dismission, and will swing the balance in favour of renewal. General Smuts’s ami Mr Massey’s addresses sided with Mr Hughes. The Indian delegate. Mr Sastri, has yet to speak. Mr Lloyd George left the Conference smiling, SoTTlLoffiein! circles acknowledge the swaying Influence of Mr H ughes’s outspokenness.