The Guardian AND EVENING STAR, With which is incorporated “The West Coast Times.” MONDAY, JULY 18th, 1921.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 July 1921, Page 2

The Guardian AND EVENING STAR, With which is incorporated “The West Coast Times.” MONDAY, JULY 18th, 1921.

A. WELCOME INVITATION. Phkridknt H.uiihnc’k invitation to the Allied Powers to confer on the disarmament and Pacific questions lias met with a prompt and most encouraging response. Nothing could well IA- more cordial than the mqption accorded it by the British Prime Minister, speaking in the House of Commons on behalf, not of Britain alone but of the Empire as a whole. Moreover, Mr I.lovd George was able to announce that China had already replied favourably; adding that, while no invitation has yet been received by Japan, there was good reason to believe that Japan’s reply would be in the same sense. The Imperial Conference which held a special meeting on Monday morning for the purpose of drafting a reply to President Harding’s memorandum, unanimously endorsed his proposal. General Smuts, unfortunately, could not be present at the meeting hut he had already signified ill advance his entire approval [of such a step. France has also fallen j into line. The Paris correspondent of ! the “New York Times” states that M. Briand will accept President Harding’s invitation to a disarmament conference; will probably, indeed, attend it himself Tliere can be no doubt Itav, and Belgium and the other Allies will also bo only too glad to take part in this conference, and to their utmost to make it the great success that it deserves to lie. Mr Lloyd George lias pledged himself that no effort will he lacking to make it so on the part, of the British Empire. The world has looked to the United States for a head, and it has not looked in vain. Though at times the lead seemed long in coming, it has been given at last; and that with no uncertain sound. Tt is more than likely that the discussions at the Imperial Conference on Britain’s Far Hasten: policy in general and on the renewal | of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance 111 particular, did much to clean* the ail and prepare the way for the message. Britain’s Far Eastern policy had met, said Mr Lloyd George, with general acceptance at the Conference. _ “Tl was desired,” he added, In exposition of that- policy, “to maintain ” close friendship ond efi-opei’i'tipn \ v *fh 6'D

the United States. Fpon these prinmore than on anything else dejiended the peace and well-being of the world.” There followed the very important and pregnant statements, that in the conference upon the Pacific question. China will he treated as an independent Power, and that it is the desire of the British Empire and of .Japan that the Anglo-.Tapaneso Treaty should be brought, into complete harmony with the Covenant, of the l.cagu ■ of \ations and where- one was im-oii is. Uni with the oilier the terms of the Covenant would prevail. Xotiee of thi 1 - efl'ect had been given to the League. President Harding’s message has already. apparently, dissolved any doubt and fears I bat were entertained with regard to the renewal of the AngloJapanese Treaty. Tbo Canadian Premier (Mr Arthur M*igben). who baboon particularly doubtful about the rre-tty, declared that the President’s omposal “offers new hope and promises relief to a distracted world.” ‘ Nowhere.” he added, “will it he more eagerly welcomed than in Canada whore there has always been an unwavering belief that the issues involved can Ik'sl he settled by a free conference of the nation's concerned. Canada will unquestionably seek bv every means to '■iisure its success.’’

to preserve tin* ‘open door’ in ('hit and give the Chinese every ojiportunil for peai 'fill progress and developnien We desired friendly eo-npernlion wil