CABLE NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 November 1921, Page 3

CABLE NEWS.

Washington Conference.

agreement sure. ON DISARMAMENT QUESTION. tCSTftA.jIAN AND ASSOCIATION. WASHINGTON, Nov. IT Fairly rapid progress seems hkcly towards a final agreement on disarm.ment, which will be signed „»d disced of without reference to settle, " < | the Ear Eastern complexities. T 1 >■ has been made clear scmi-offlcinlly from all the three chief delegations Tt is obviously difficult to la> « • rewardin'' the Ear East, such hard Stales as are possible on the concrete questions of a li"'*" ™ £ navies. The indications are that will be a general “Gentlemen s Ag.ee ment,” rather than a straight-out diplomatic arrangement Judging from semi ouu ■.>. i " the question of submarine nouncements o tlie qui. • i„. the Disarmament for discussion bj the Committee. Opinions =»<■ d>'uled Mm ther the United States sha 1 <<> a reduction in the total f -b. m - marlncs sbo.ld be u, , o military purposes, «WM ww.»i «•<«*• ""‘7 1 „„ Hvirn It is known that a of'Senators, beaded by Senator Uorali, arc supporting a llnus . s, g •ng by a de< lar.irn • „ om tine itv that Britain was seek „ - reduction of the navies though ■ cheaper one, which would be posstbk submarines were substituted tor '■> 1 i• _ ]+ is olainiccl the object «i waging it.

VAVAT. I’ROGRAMME. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) WASHINGTON. Not. OIt is clear from the conversation £f 11 1• i + i,„+ Britain will not high officials J jn the way of throw serous ol'stacie pre,,arment while uigii o, , t .xistin cnee and hiMil> I years who be paid over a cannot be used for any ' 1 than making parts plan’is qSte A a«Jptnble to tile «ritirfi wi J° t-vcf .ri™ “Son of «|i.miiriw». Jho agreement through it will not "-'it the Elution of the Far Eastern question, will not lie signed before « t the fleets of France, Italy and other Rowers fins been considered. The Australian Cress Association understands that American otlicial circles arc firm on the question of an abso ule naval holiday for ten years. I lie British are not averse provided suitable arrangements are made, and they are allowed to keep the Government yards in existence for repairing and other purposes.

FRENCH VIEWS. (Received This Day at 9.40 a.m.) WASHINGTON. Nov. 18 The Freneli are beginning to make themselves heard at the Conference. Al. Briaud of Paris, is most anxious to gut his views on land disarmament before the Conference and will probably he given an opportunity at the next plennrv meeting. Meantime the Freneli delegation let it be known that they are unwilling that an armament agreement Ik? made without reference to the Far East settlement. Regarding the latter, they want France and China included in any arrangements which might lie suggested as taking the place of the Anglo-Jnpane.se Alliance. France is sup|M)i-ting China’s proposals ill principle pnd is willing to abandon both territorial and «xtrn territoriar privileges, if other nations do the same, and when China is able to give protection to foreigners, but maintains that Indochina never belonged to Chinn. Though she is ready to discuss a rectification of the boundary, France declares her sympathy with Japan’s desire for expansion, for raw materials and tor open dealings of powers with China without seuret negotiations. Further consideration of the far Eastern questions are postponed consequent on Lxato’s request that several days’ time lie giren to the Japanese delegation to consider China’s proposals before discussing them in the Conference.

A J.RCR AFT A RAGVm ENT. (Received This Day at 9.5 a.in.) PARIS, Nov. 18. Deputy Foni-k, the aviator ace of aces, writing in the “Petit Journal, demands that the Washington Conference should consider the disarmament of Germany in regard to aircraft. He declares French members of the Inter Allied Commission are convinced that Germany still possesses enormous quantities of aircraft material, and has made much technical progress. He believes the Commission is proposing to remove the embargo against Germany manufacturing aircraft, and expresses the opinion that if Franc* allows the Allies to decide natfil strengths, she ought to decide aircraft armaments.