Washington Conference.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 November 1921, Page 2

Washington Conference.

OPENS AT WASHINGTON. SPEECH BV t'.S. PRESIDENT.

U'snm.lAN AND N.2. CAM.K ASSOCIATION. WASHINGTON, November 12. President Harding made a speech opening the Armament Conference. He said: 'lt is a great privilege to l,id the delegates a cordial welcome to the capital of the United States, it is not possible to ovcr-appraisc the importance of such a conference as this, whose conclusions will have a signal influence on all human progress, and Oil the fortunes of the world. Tins conference is an earnest of the awakened conscience of 20th. century civilisation. It is not a convention of remorse. or sorrow, nor of victors, to determine tile terms of a settlement, j of a Council of Nations i seeking to remake human kind, j ltather it is a coming together, from all parts of the earth, to apply the better attributes of mankind to mimj mise faults of international relationship The call to this conference is one I from a war-wearied world, hungering ■ and thirsting for a better relationship 1 ol a humanity, that is crying for rcI lief, and craving assurances of a lasting peace.” | The President asked for tile hanish- | incut of any misiindeitstnnding. Hi I «aidi: ‘‘lnherent rights arc from God, and the tragedies of the world originate in the attempted denial ot natural rights. The world to-day is infringing their enjoyment by aiming to defend or deny them, when simply sanity calls for their recognition through common understanding. Out of The cataclysm of war came new fellowship, new convictions, and new understandings. It is ours to make the most of them. The world is staggering with debt, and most of the burden must be lifted. Contemplating the measureless cost of war and the continuing 'burden of armament, all peoples wish lor a- real limitation of armaments, ami would like war lo be outlawed. Tn the soberest reflection, the world’s hundreds of millions, who pay in peace and die in war, wish their statesmen to turn the expenditure for destruction into means of construc-

tion. They aim at a higher state for those who now live and who are lo J follow after. Beside* its over-powering ‘ burden on people, wars have grown j progressively cruel and destructive. To j reverse this order would more become , our boaster civilisation. The United . States well owes the delegates unselfishl.v, and invites and offers its co-opera-tion. The world demands a sober contemplation of tin; existing order and

a realisation that there can be no i:iUT> u ithoot sacrilice by alt. I do not mean surrendered rights, or narrowed freedom, or denied aspirations, or ignored uationa.! necessities. No pride need be humbled, no nationality submerged; but t would have a mergence of minds, committing all of us to levs preparation for war and more enjoyment of fortunate peace. Nothing can lie accomplished in disregard of 'national apprehensions. Rather we should act to-gether to remove the cause of these apprehensions. This will not be done hy intrigue. A greater assuruni-e will be found in exchanges of simple lumesty and directness among men resolved to accomplish it. as becomes tlie leaders among nations. If our tiller sentiments were not urging ns. the cold hard facts of the excessive cost of armaments and the eloquence of the facts of economics would urge us to reduce armaments. The world has swung along through the ages, unheeding the call to mitigate the blight of armament competition, hut it never before lias so tragically been brought to a realisation of the utter futility of passing sways when reason, consciousness. and fellowship point a nobler way. The United States’s hundred million people, frankly want less armament. and no war. AVe harbour no unworthy designs and accord to the world the same good intent. I welcome you in tile high faith thut we have met for the service of mankind; that in all simplicity, nil honesty, all honor there may lie written here an avowal that the world’s conscience lias been refined by the consuming fires ef war and made sensitive hy its anxious aftermath. I hope for ail understanding which will emphasise pence and also commitments to less burdens, anil that better order which will tranquilise the world.”

DE VALERA ON DISARMAMENT. LONDON, Nov. 12 The Daily Mail’s Dublin correspondent states: “Mr De Valera, replying to the American Press Agency’s request for a statement on disarmament remarked that nothing else hut a real League of Nations can secure effective disarmament. At Paris the foundation of such a League had been made impossible by the denial of the principal of national self-government by the victors. Europe and tlie whole world, be said, looks to America to set the standard.”

HERN All 1) SHAW'S VIEW. WASHINGTON COXKERENOE NOT DISARMAMENT. LONDON, Nov. IT

Mr Bernard Shaw, writing in "The Nation,” predicts that the delegates at the Washington Conference who really matter want to confer in public. He says: "We shall leant nothing about the Conference from the Conference* itself. Its businesses avowedly, not disarmament, but the old task of arranging a balance of power that shall he satisfactory to all the parties, and no arrangement will lie satisfactory to any of the parties except that it shall lie stronger than all the rest. The conference will find itself pursuing a will of the wisp. The delegates will begin by sounding one another for alliances. California, Canada, and Australia all want white continents. Lord Xorthcliffe, having made the surprising discovery that Australia is much larger than the Isle of Wight, has warned the Australians that if white races do not people it, the yellow people will. This point is not likely to be lost on Japan. The Conference presents plenty of material for animated conversations on the back stairs, none of which will be fit for immediate publication.”

BRITISH DELEGATIONS. NEW YORK, Nov. 11 The Australian Press Association’s Washington correspondent states: Senator Pearce and Sir J- Salmond attended the Unknown Warrior’s burial,

and oo cupied one of the principal boxes with the other members of the British delegation. They have paid a tribute to the excellence of the arrangements, the impressiveness and solemnity of the ceremony. Senator Pearce and Sir J. Salmond met the other members of the British delegation at an Embassy dinner for the purpose of enabling the various sections to compare notes. They found a general agreement existed regarding what the Empire and Dominions wanted, and how to get it. It tan he confidently stated the while British delegations attiteule is satisfactory from Australasia’s standpoint. Senator Pearce confesses himself more hopeful of success after this discussion than before. He believes there is every prospect of obtaining an adequate guarantee of national security for Australia and the Pacific, thereby enabling Australia to proceed in a more moderate way in defence expenditure than would otherwise be possible. Senator Pearce anil Sir J. Salmond called on the U.S. State Department which lias resulted in an exchange of views indicating that there is considerable harmony h, the British and American standpoints. .1 VPAN’S HOLD IN PACIFIC. PARIS, Nov. 12. ■ I.e Petit Parisien’s” Washington correspondent states:— “Japan’s mandate over the German islands in the Pacific would enable her to take all the American positions in a net of floating mines, and submarines. Japan’s commercial fleet could transport in a fortnight eight divisions, 1500 miles front the Japanese Coast and, in that time , from the opening of hostilities, she ■ would have Guam and the Philippines ' • i„ her possession, thus leaving America with a little base at Honolulu.” The : paper envisages the possibility of a , new war which would ruin a quarter of I the globe, and would greatly aggravate j 1 the present situation. Tf an agree- , meat is not reached, America should » ; fortify Guam, which Japan would pio- . bably oppose, staking everything on the

SOVIET CALLS ASIATIC CONFERENCE. COPENHAGEN, Nov. 12 Owing to Russia not- getting any invitation to the Washington Conference the Soviet is arranging a simultaneous conference at Irkutsk, and has invited the representatives of the people of China. Japan, Korea, Siam and India. Chinese and Japanese delegates are already on route. PLAN'S FOR DISARMAMENT. WASHINGTON, Noveiulier 12. Mr Hughes sprang a surprise at to-Jiv's opening of the Conference, which was thought to lie only formal After President Harding's speech, Mr Hughes outlined definite and detailed proposals for the limitation of naval, armaments.

I-Ie suggested four general principles. The first is the abandonment of the American, British and Japanese naval programmes in connection with capital ships. The second means the scrapping of certain older ships. The third provides that regard is to he had for existing naval strength of these powers. Tin- fourth is that auxiliary combatant craft to lie reduced in proportion to capital ships.

AMERICA’S PROPOSAL. FOR GREAT NAVAL CUT

| (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) - | WASHINGTON, Nov. 12. i .Mr Hughes continued—lf the plan is accepted. United States would scrap ‘ fifteen capital ships under construction, totalling (iIS,OOO tons, whereon 330 million dollars had already been spent; j also scrap fifteen old battleships totalling 227,740 tons. Britain would cease further construction of four new Hoods, ■ aiul scrap all predreadnoughts, second line battleships and some first lines aggregating a tonnage of .583,373. Japan to abandon the programme of capital j ships not yet laid down, scrap three battleships and four battle cruisers and also all predreadnoughts, and second line battleships aggregating tonnage of 448.028. The plan involves the destruction of sixty-six capital ships la-longing , to the three naval powers, aggregating ' a tonnage of 1,878,043. Their navies, within three months of the signing of tlie agreement to consist of certain designated ships numbering—Britain 22, with a tonnage of (>04,450; United States 18, tonnage 500,650; Japan 10, tonnage 299.700. Respecting replace- • meats. United States proposed no reI placement until a decade after the * signing of the agreement and then to be limited to half a million tons each for Britain and United States and. ' 300,000 for Japan. Subject to these conditions, capital ships may l>e replaced when twenty years old. but no ships larger than 35.000 tons shall he I built for replacement. The technical details of the outlined proposals are , being tiled by expert advisers. With the acceptance of the proposal, the bur- ! den of armaments would l>e lifted. Proper demands for national defence will be adequately met. Preparations for an offensive naval war to stop

A GREAT SCENE. (Received This Dav at 8 a.in.) WASHINGTON, Nov. 12 Mr Hughes’ profoundly dramatic proposals as cabled, came as a climax to a day full of interest and emotion, marking the opening of the Washing-* ton Disarmament Conference. To the casual observer the assemblage iti Centennial Memorial Hall bad little to distinguish it from an ordinary diplomatic gathering, except, perhaps the presence of Japanese, Chinese and Indian delegats in naval and military uniforms mingled with frock coats of statesmen. Women were present in fair proportion and behind all was that wishful hope . to peace that breathed through every line of the opening prayer, that asked for the Divine blessing in the proceedings. There was an ipulible catch in breath when Mr Harding was speaking. He solemnly voiced the hopes and aspirations of United States in the ringing wonts— 1 ‘We want less armament and no war,” he said. Then for the first time, the decorous behaviour of the assemblage broke bounds and the audience numbering 2000, sprang to

their feet cheering and applauding, while Mr Harding stood smiling. When Mr Hughes announced that United States was willing to scrap practically all her 1910 programme, the storm broke forth anew, and once more the audience rose and feelings that go far deeper than talk of agreement or politicians plans, surged to the surface. It is interesting to note how the delegates are placed at the tables which are arranged in a square. At the top sat Mr Hughes with Messrs Lodge, lloot. and Underwood at his right hand, Mr Balfour, Mr Lee, Sir A. Peebles on ],; s left. M. Briand sat at the top right side table and M. Vivian, and other French delegates next. Then Prince Tokogawa and Japanese ai the left side table, Sir K. Borden at the top, Mr Pearce next, Sir John Salmnnd Mr Snstri. «. *'« ]' ' while along the bottom <■) the to do were ranged the representatives China, Portugal, Holland and Belgium. Behind this square so fateful >» 1 , ' tory of the world sat memlmrs of the naval, military and technic.. s. , Marshal Koch, General 1 ershing, • miral Beatty and numbers ol otl.e.s^ The Press occupied side ptnHires balconv. Facing the Chairman were members of United States Congress. The proceedings were not maikc . any special formalities. The dekga e> walked to their places almost unnoticed except for Mr Hughes, u o applauded when taking Ins soM. There was a hush followed l>\ < nets, when Mr Harding made his entrance. His speech followed immediately alter a short prayer. At the conclusion he loft the audience standing and again cheering for several minutes. Then Hon A. J. Balfour, who J most enthusiastically received, as .. tribute of genuine admiration and a tion he held in the esteem ot the American people, proposed Mr Hug :1 S Chairman, eloquently d«elh „ l,is special qualifications for the post. He referred to the inestimable scrj.u United States had done the wo calling the Conference. He hoped » e Conference would accept the motto ot the President— ‘•Simplicity. l.omst>, '‘T'Hnghes delivered an impressive speech. Ho said “1 ntn unable to lmd sufficient reason for adopting “e - treme view that consideration ol a,..laments Should- await the d.scusston of ,l, c Far Eastern quest,on, or "hctliu it he post polled until an agreement legating limitation of arnmmeut >s reached. It may be found entueU practicable by distributing work among the designated committees to make pn>--ress to the ends sought, without cithii subject being treated as a hindrance to proper consideration of the o t ic i. cannot fail to recognise the extraon mary opportunity now presented fo, Hit limitation of armament. Me not linvc reasons ot the past t<> £ u,< c ll ; not onlv do we have reaction iron, disillusioning experience ol war, but ut must meet the challenge o! impuahvc economic demands. What was c,lv convenient nr highly desirable, is mm a matter of vital necessity. Ihe time has come, not for general resolutions or mutual advice, hut for action, h is a vital part of the plan for limitation o armament that there should be a naval holiday; that there he no turtlici construction of capital ships for nt least . decade. 1 am happy to say 1 am a 1 liberty to go beyond these general propositions, and cm behalf of the Am o "* can Delegation, acting under Mr H.tiding’*’instructions, to admit a concrete proposition as one order pape''After the election of Mr Hanott as •Secretary, Mr Hughes proposed that members of the delegation form two committees, one to consider disarmament* and one for hasten, affairs. . Then followed a remarkable scene. Mr Hughes was proceeding to wind up the session in a formal way. when troin the Congress gallery came insistent calls for M. Briand. In Bu t Congtoss, in this matter, took the meeting out of Mr Hughes’ bauds. M Briand spoke briefly, but emotionally. It was notable that he was the onlv delegate to -use the hmivli language. France, lie said, was rea.lr to (c, to the end with her great Allies, 'she'has never been a country ol greed and conquest. If the necessary precautions were taken lor her hie and safety, she would lie the hrst t" down arms.

COMMENT ON PROPOSALS. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Nov. 12 11,,,, \. J. Balfour i" a statement m the Australian Press Association, characterised M" Hughes’ utter,nice n> hold, statesmanlike and pregnant with infinite possibilities for the nisol hopetu| and successful issue ol the <‘»iteionce. . Japanese delegates sum up the proposals as concrete ami logical. M Briand is somewhat more cautious. hut indicated his satisfaction ai the proposals. WASHINGTON. Nov. 1-’

Political ami diplomatic circles .aie f.,irlv humming with cNcitcmc.it tins afternoon. The Hritisl. delegation was particularly busy. Admiral Beatty and ids staff immediately met the proposition, ready to •" ' lsc “ delegates when the tonlcrei.ee sits ai{ain next week. Mr Balfour spent most «i the at tel noon with the .Japanese ; Opinion has not y>'t eryrtnl.scK the suddenness and completeness » l « > States offer taking everyhudy h> prise, hut authoritative eircles nta tivelv are of ..pinion that such a sponsible, farsighted stales, nan n* M< Harding and Mr Hughes are bail > |i|{elv to commit themselves so fai less they had some guarantee of sne,.„SS seeing that failure would mean not only an enormous setback to the cause „f world disarmament, hut also ,uin to ~n v Coven.n.om responsible lor such failure. On the other hand, it is felt that the simplicity and sincerity ol the proposals cut the. ground clear a*a> ~,,,, any attempt at d.plomalie intrigue, putting a plain statement ut fact before the Conference and bclme the workl.

NKW YORK, Nov. U The ••Philadelphia Ledger’s” I ohm correspondent states I'inance Mmistor Takahaslii in informing ( ahmet ol th oui¥uo of the next Budget announced a reduction of two hundred million yen from departmental estimates and one hundred million yen less than the cm lent Budget. Takahaslii in a statement however, said eight, eight naval programme would not he mterlered with The correspondent adds that m view of authentic newspaper reports

while the navy asked for 17!) million yen it is only receiving -108 million yen. It is evident the eight, eight programme will he completed with reserve funds continues. TakaJiashi answering Department’s bitter criticisms, said it would bo impossible to secure sufficient revenue to increase the Budget- He expected a further decline the year alter next. TDK ID, Xnv. 12. Baron Takaliasiii has been appointed Premier of Japan. The appointment is considered a victory for the Liberal element, ft is a concession in popular opinion by militarists. Takaliasiii believes be can strengthen Japan’s position liv making t liinu ;Unl Japan friends. LONDON, Nov. 12 Baron llaynshi. Japanese Ambassador, interviewed, said lie believed Japan would agree to America s natal proposals, if America were pledged there to. 1 don’t see why if should not be practicable and possible. There is no need for America and Japan to build capital ships. If one is agressivo the other will have to build. Bot.i are friendly now and no third power is able to threaten in the Pacific. I think the programme should he acceptable to all great powers.

JAPAN’S VIEW.**. WASHINGTON. Nov. 12 Mr Pearce and Sir John Salnmnd attended the President’s reception at White House to-night. * The Australian Press Association learns on best authority that .Japan decided to accept Mr Hughes’ proposals as the basis of negotiations. Thov assert they are most desirous ol .ettliiv' disarmament, irrespective » Far Fast questions. The acceptance ot the principles of Mr Hughes’ phm by Japan renders it more certain than o'C that .omething will arise out oi the Conference, though later enquiries indicate some opposition is likely to anse in Fnited States circles. 1 mted States Navv Department and Senate are disfavouring some aspects . The latter is rather resentful at not he,ug consulted, l„,t the same informant points out that oobodv dare antagonise public opinion, which'shows signs sif being rouse, as seldom bo for- It «as sy.nbolical ol tl, „.,me. aspect when the meeting ook

fbench COMMENT. (Received This Day atl.ap.mJ PABIS, Nov. LB “| e Temps’’ commenting. on the AVasiiingtou Conferenee immls '0 t rS£lf..n; oreat Tonflie't' a rises it possible etnrmtoo that someone will not unest fmU now «« r of destruction m order to settle the qnariel. It '■ therefore urgently necessary B> cons,der the question of China’s futuie. The “Journal Drs Dehats states there is no need for « formal all,anre to iniil't two eountnes. in of 'crtam eventualities. A Mo,, guaranlec (',„ onlv he obtained by a settlement of the'questions which make people antagonistic. A new means of destruction 7,fin- limiting provisionally nay armaments with a view to retarding tho course of events tends towards disaster. It. is necessary to consul, i the means for reconciliation of interests whose conflict constitutes a menace.

THE KING'S MESS-AGE. (Received This Day at 1.30 p.m.) LONDON. November. 13.

King George sent a message to Mr Harding “On the nccnffimi "I Hie opening of the international Conference at Washington. I again send mv sineerost wishes for success of its deliberations. The sympathy and good will of the whole British people wlll 1;l ‘ with the Conference in its labours Jnr securing the maintenance of peace.