Washington Conference.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 December 1921, Page 2

Washington Conference.

\CSriI\LIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATIONA RRESSAIAN’S COMMENT. NEW YORK, Dee. 1. ■All Weils mites that the Anglu-Jap-ancso Alliance could be ended in favour Ilf a new peace pact, and enormous forward in world peace would be made. It would mark an epoch in world statesmanship, but this means an agreement of a mature treaty. Any Rresidential declaration, which some later Rresident might set aside, or a newly elected Senate might revise, is not enough, ll the reader will study the position of Australia and British commitments in Eastern Asia, he will see why it is not enough. Britain is not strong enough to risk being left alone, as the chivalrous (notection of the weak, if renascent China. She lias her own people in Australia to consider. It is moral, as well as material help in sustaining the new understanding that the British will require.

RESTORING EUROPE. WASHINGTON, Nov. 30 Noticing the proposition of Air Frank Vanderliah, re reahbilitating Europe financially, an Italian spokesman emphasised that it was absolutely imperatime something should be done at this roafcrence towards a reduction of the unbearable burden of armament both on land and sea. The conference was not idealistic, but economically, if resultless, Europe would be ruined. The Presidential supporters were careful to point out that the question of reduction of debts so tar was only raised.

An American spokesman said that no foreign nation had officially brought up the matter.

FRENCH AND ITALIAN NAVIES. WASHINGTON, Dec. 1 It is reported to-day that France is ready with a plan for naval disarmament. In relation to the Italian fleet, Italy also announces that though she has already reduced her navy, she is ready for further reductions, if compatible with national security.

HARDING’S SCHEME. WASHINGTON, Dec. 1 Rresident Harding further referred to the scheme of the Association of Nations to-day, and said that he did ■ot. expect the matter to be discussed at this conference, which had already more than enough to do. Things were going on rapidly there, and the delegates were overcrowded, and the difficulty was to keep pace with the problems for consideration. Tbe world would be greatly disappointed if some arrangement looking towards a settled association was not tbe outcome of the Conference.- It would not be designed to foster any rivalry, not to have an undermining agency as regards the League of Nations. Nothing but putting an expression to the United States aspirations, and finding,a way to accomplish tbe same.

CONK E R KXC E HU A! OU RS. (From the Si>eeial Representative of the Australian Press Association.) (Received This Day at b a.rn.) WASHINGTON, Nov. 30 There is a rumour in Washington tonight. which must he accepted with reserve, that Baron Kato called on Mr Hughes and Air Balfour and presented them formally with the findings of the naval experts, supporting Japan’s claim for a tonnage ratio of ten, ten, seven; instead of ten, ten, six, in favour of Japan. No confirmation could be gained of bis statement in Japanese circles. which rather discouraged the rumour, saying such a course was unnecessary as Japan’s position was known to the other delegation!. It is suggested to-night that the Japanese are holding out on the tonnage ratio for the purpose of playing with the [Misition, wishing to withhold acquiescence until certain Ear Eastern questions come to lie considered. .More discordant notes were made tonight concerning Shantung. Two representatives and several public bodies of China sent here unofficially to watch the delegation issued a statement opposing acceptance of the proposition of conversations, and insisting the matter should be brought before the Conference in the regular way, as# violation of China’s integrity, this being tbe unchangeable view of the Chinese people. Other objections came from Masco, the personal representative of Sun Yat Sen of tire South China Government, who alleged Mr Hughes had been outmanoeuvred by the other Powers, so the Chinese delegation were rendered powerless, and the whole affair a farce. Accredited Chinese correspondents also declare that while China is willing to discuss matters with Japan, the Chinese people want Shantung returned unconditionally. It is believed in important quarters that if China had forced her views regarding Shantung, that the Conference would have violated the Treaty of Versailles, tints playing into Germany’s hands to ask for a revision of the conditions. This would have been the French view. Certainly China refused Mr Hughes and Air Balfour’s offices, and insisted on bringing the matter to the Conference. A most critical situation has been created imperilling the whole Ear Eastern question Chinese have issued another long statement reviewing the onditions surrounding foreign troops in China, includin' Legation Guards as doing violence to the sense ami pride of the people.

CONFERENCE POSSIBILITIES. VARIOUS POSITIONS DISCUSSED (From the Special Representative of the ! Australian Press Association.) | WASHINGTON, Nov 30. It has been definitely stated that France will withdraw her demand for a naw as large as England, and consent to rank alongside Italy. The ou(rinal idea was for these two countries to liavol two-thirds of Japan’s tonnage in Air Hughes’ plan, but there is a likelihood this proposition will be reduced to one nnd a half of manning tonnage, capital ships, and auxiliaries about one fifty thousand. This does not include submarine tonnage, consideration of which ns regards France

and Italy awaits an agreement by United States, Britain and Japan regarding their requirements. This plan would give France capital ships -with the requisite supplementary auxiliary craft. Tf France and Italy agree as highly probable, tbe naval agreement w ill be extended to exclude all five powers.

Interesting manoeuvres are going on here between military and civilian sections of tlie Japanese delegation which are reflected also at Tokio. Naval men will not give way on the question of ratio until the last ditch. The civilian element delegation are ready to accept the inevitable and agreo to Mr Hughes

plan. It was said to-day that naval experts formally advanced the plea m committee for a seventy per cent ratio, feeling it is thfi last word with the civilians who will yield the point hoping for reonmpenso on some of the other Ear Eastern questions. The uncomfortable Shantung question to-dav was removed, at any rate for the present from the purview of the Conference. The American viewpoint as expressed by their spokesman was that- it was obviously desirable there should be conversations between tbe two nations in the present very favourable atmosphere. Chinese and Japanese delegations spoke hopefully, though the former qualified

•lie remarks by saying the people of China prefer the matter be settled at tlie Conference. It was also pointed cut that conversations would not hinder either nation to finalise matters, if a conclusion was not reached. Both indicated, however, that the delegations were prepared to do the best for China without insisting on reference to the Conference. It cannot bo said, however that China is entering into conversations with ag open mind. To-day the Chinese delegates issued a statement reviewing the Shantung question which reflected in several ways on Japcnc.se conduct in dealing with Shantung. In one or two places quite undiplomatic language was. used. Japan was accused that she “deliberately violated neutrality and proceeded to make secret arrangements with European powers.” All this is not calculated to preserve the atmosphere of goodwill. Chinese have not abandoned their attitude at Versailles at which they maintained Shantung and all ced-

ed rights reverted to China. The question of the naval ratio is still most prominent. It is elicited in American quarters to-day that while experts have not reached an actual deadlock they differ on certain points, the assumption being the points will lie referred for decision to the big three* Air Balfour, Air Hughes and Baron Kato. It is explained these differences are of two kinds, one .•:egarding the. figures formulate alone wherein some inaccuracies are observed as to the basis of calculations and other difference was as to wliat factors should he taken into consideration.in determining the tonnage' ratio.

The American position was if they are willing to scrap three hundred' million dollars worth of ships under construction, other powers should make .saerilt.es on the same lines. United States view is tfiat their nation would never stand for any proposition that the'- should scrap their uncompleted tonnage and other nations be allowed to keep theirs.” This evidently refers to the Mutsu which the! American plan sets down as incomplete, while Japan maintains she was actually commissioned.

Japanese circles declare the questions are not yet out of the hands of tint naval experts and refuse to discuss them. They admitted incidentally quite considerable progress was then made a limitation of armaments and saw no reason why naval matters should not be settled without a reference to the Far East.