Washington Conference

Hokitika Guardian, 5 November 1921, Page 3

Washington Conference

4USTBAMAN AND N.Z. LAlll,k ASSOCIATION XOKTHCLIFFE’S VIKWS. TOKIO, Nov. ;>. Lord NyrlhcliQ'o has arrived lie.-c. Ho addressed the newspaper publishers, and advocated full publicity til Japan regarding the Washington Conferenc-m Ho declared, in an interview, that the Anglo-Japanese Alliance had outlived its usefulness. Sentiment, ho said, was against its coiitinunce. Rcferriilig to the Irish question, he said that if Air do Valera represented tho majority opinion in Ireland, the latter was looking for Iron Ido.

AMERICAN HOPES. •NEW YORK, Nov. I. Colonel Ropington, writing i ll the New York Times, says; The American public are interested in the Armament Conference, iuit me not ill all excited. There is a certain feeling of pride that Washington should be the (resting place for so many notables, and that Americans should take the leadership in the assembly of the great Rowers in eoiineetioii with world issues. Tlm choice of the American delegation meets with general approval. President Harding lias also giovil greatly ill public esteem, ami has proved himsell to possess courage ami a measure of laet. There would be a serious disappointment if AH Lloyd George were unable to come, lint ill the conilllry event, lie could lie assured.of a rousing welcome. The eonlercneo in public estimation will he considered a failure unless definite, tangible results are achieved, espmdally regarding naval armaments.

ARM AAI EXT CONFER ICNCE. NEW YORK. November 1. Sir F. Borden, ill n speech said : "Upon the two great English-speaking Commonwealths to-day rests a solemn responsibility, which may he Inliillcd. not 1 1 v a formal alliance, but through a complete understanding, mutual uoml will and a linn ifnitcd purpose to secure for tortured linmnnity a perpetual respite from the blighting curse of war.

The "New York Times" Washington correspondent states Dial various questions are now being asked concerning the Armament Conterenee. the publicity problem, and tlm sequence ol subjects. It is understood there me likely to he a number of open sessions at Hie cimfrreiio". ppssiMy al frequent intervals, all bough there necessarily will be numerous secret sessions. both of the conference itsell and of members of delegations outside Die conference. The convention itsdl however, will determine the scer.el |";"- ccdiirc. Definite statements, orally mid written, will also be issued colic Tim.' the progress of the conference. 'l'll,. re is a feeling among some delegates notablv the Japanese ‘hat armaments should be discussed first. amt |.-,, r Last qm'stlinns taereafter. *thei delegates want this order Tlm eorrespondent b arn- that \ men, an officials desire discussions nlm:-t, v sol" tions of one question will naturally contribute to the solution of others. JA I* Aft LIT AR I STS.

\H interesting statement has been made by ex Al mister Osnki. at T"ki" declaring tlm Japanese militarists, while liot so powerful as foinmrly are still a dominant factor in emiti oiling the policies and destinies of the country. They control tlm press to a great extent and even the newspapers which editorially support disarmament display in their news columns articles and inspired news stirring up a na I ional isl hspirit. Japan is pictured in the press as not only invincible, bet always nget and the people are kept in ignorance hv a suppression of hews. Militarism lias IV, eu'ed a stimulus witlioiil. as well as within. Tlm people have readied Du* conclusion that, to mate .lape i great ill lim eyes of the Occident, success must be gained by the esc ol tlm sword. Reason will prevail. l ut tlm |,c>jilt‘ want iM'uois iliiit »• iiuut:>( i"ti ol armaments mlidiiUl In l imsvil • >*» s**isi«* dt’liiiib* mnnftiH'y or iastam^' it miolil In* mvim 1 Mini noun m| I■: <rri*ii 1 Env.vrs should l»r allnwnl l •

spent more than 10 per i-eut ol t-lmir total budgets for military or naval purposes. The percentage could be slightly more with smaller Rowers, oi the slim could lie fixed oil tin- basis ol Ibe average armament expenditure nt a period ol file-to tell veal's muir In tin* war. Tlm world is moving rapidly in the light direct inn. Japan must not hesitate or falter.