Washington Conference.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 November 1921, Page 2

Washington Conference.

i L’STlt ALI AN AND N.Z. CAI3UE ASSOCIATION. KAR HAST AGiiF.KM.KNT. WASHINGTON, Nov. 2:1. There is some speculation regarding the form which the ultimate agreement in connection with the Far Fast will take, if and when, reached. It is believed Mi- K. Root (U.S.A.) favours asking the Powers to sign a definite undertaking, hut possibly some new diplomatic document may he invented in order to satisfy the United States' susceptibilities towards the eonelusion of treaties between particular nations. It may lie that more than one agreement will he made, hut the opinion crystallising is that tlie main undertaking will he a quadruple one among Britain, the United States, Japan, and China. It is not thought likely that any other nation now at the Conference will he asked to ' join in any understanding. Their interests are not considered to he so much af-

fected. WASHINGTON, Nov. 22 Official.—The Far Eastern Committee to-day discussed the limitations ot Chinese administrative autonomy, particularly referring to revenue. It was decided to appoint a subcommittee, consisting of representatives of each of the nine Powers to examine the facts, and to state their conclusions to a 'full committee.

JAPAN AND .MONGOLIA. WASHINGTON, Nov. 22 Some interesting points were manifest to-day, regarding Japan’s attitude towards China. It was admitted hv Admiral Kato (Japan) that Japan considered Manchuria a part of China, and he said he came to the Conference prepared with all the details required for a discussion on the matter, hut Kato refused to comment regarding Mongolia. It is understood elsewhere, however,

that Japan regards China as having at least suzerainty and some administrative control over Mongolia, and that Japan will make no claim there. , Admittedly the North China question is a delicate one. j T I THE FRENCH ARMY. WASHINGTON. Nov. 22 | M. liiiaml (French Premier) to-day expressed his satisfaction at the manner wherein his sjieecli yesterday was received. He believed, he said, that lie had achieved the purpose for which he came to Washington. It should he explained that the yearly c lass in the French Army consists normallv of a quarter of a million men. If the term of service is cut down to l IS months, the active French army will wiily normally total 3c0,000. The French piopnsals do not include the Colonial FTeiuh at my, which mosiIv is a coloured force of 150,1100 men. The French Army of Occupation on the Rhine will not he reduced. REPLY TO RIBAND. j WASHINGTON. Nov. 22 j Herr Edmund von Theinan, the new ' German Charge d'Affaires here, to-day , ' denied M. llriaiul's charge that the German nation is a potential war mil- ; chine. He affirmed that Germany had been practically stripped of arms, and ; declared the mauufncturies bad lieen converted to peace-time production. He was sure Germany would he willing to give further guarantees against war- ' making to any internationalist tribunal. VI EWtTOF NATIONS. i From the Special Representative of the 1 Australian Press Association.) (Received This Day at- 8 a.tit.) WASHINGTON, Nov 23. The British view of Air Root's resolutions regards them as consolidating j under one head the arrangements and provisions already contained in the var- I ions treaties now existing between China and the different powers, who are parted to such resolutions, which

thus become !t joint and several, instead as before, several only. It indi- ( a ted one of the main obstacles in the wav of agreement regarding Shantung is the railway. Japan is to evacuate the province including Kiaochow, provided their Tsintau-Tsinan railway is jointly operated. Chinese do not approve of Japan and also stipulates that Kinouchnu he an open port. China to make adequate arrangements., to carry on trade. It is hinted gain that whole matter will be removed from the sphere of tlio Conferenet' and be made 'the subject of iprivate arrangementjs between China and Japan. The appointment of to-day’s subcommittee in regard to China’s conditions emphasises the full Committees conviction that something must ho done to rehabilitate and re-organise the Customs. A live per cent, ad valorem con- , ditkm was imposed at the time when thiims were entirely different. Great ehaiigesjhave taken taken place and indicates the duty must he revised in an upward direction to enable China, to meet- the financial obligations and inaugurates reforms ns promised. The Australian Press Association understands a quick report has been rul - ed for in order to clear the ground. It is pointed out in oflieial circles that tho Hoot resolutions go lieyond anythin*' in the shape of treaties agreements now operating. The announcement' that France intended to ask loi increased naval tonnage to equal the, Japanese as published this morning m Washington, created an unpleasant impression, coming on the heels ol M. | Itrialid's eloquent appeal. It is found, necessarv hv the French delegation to withdraw the worst features. If. Briand to-night declared an incorrect impression was created by the state-| ment. He said France had not yet j completed her naval plan for presenta- | tion to the Conference, so any . annoiuicemeiit was premature and mac-1 curate. Capital ships were not primav- j ily where the interest lies. Submarines were more wanted. M. Briand derlin-1 od however, to give a correction in regard to the published figures, beyond savin,* 1 France proposed to construct a„ cruiser for Mediterranean squadron and bring the light vessel classes up to pre-war strength. Italy showed nervousness to-day and reiterated her contention that .she should liavo as large a fleet as any other Mediterranean power. Though M. Briand contended the proportion should he eight to France to six of Italy, the Italian spokesman also emphasised the illation’s preference for submarines. I Important results may come from the ' meeting of the disarmament committee

to-morrow, which will have before it the. considered results of the experts’ examination of the American formulae. In the light of corrections proposed by British and Japanese naval advisers, it is believed the controversy still centres round Mntsu, but Japanese higli circles say a hitch need cause no apprehension. Y Sir John Snlmond attended a dinner at the Embassy to-night, and a reception afterwards.