Washington Conference.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 December 1921, Page 3

Washington Conference.

CONFERENCE EPISODES. ( From the Special Representative of the Australian Press Association.)

(Received This Day at 8 a.m.) WASHINGTON, December 2. Resides the limitation of fortifications in tlic Far East, another guarantee asked by Japan before acquiescence in the naval ratio might be the completion of a tri-partite agreement, taking the place of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance. Japan feels that the British jntepretation of article four of the treaty and Bryan Treaty 1914 leave her isolated in the Far East. The Japanese may want the naval and Far Eastern questions to remain correlate, though Baron Kato disclaimed any preference elements. Opposition to Shantung conversations were displayed to-day when Chinese students demonstrated and picketed the delegation residence. Kato meets Hughes and Balfour to-day. Japan’s claims are now in the hands of the civilian element, which is expected to be more favourable towards the acceptance of the American plan than the Naval advisers. It is generally thought Japan will eventually yield, it being inconceivable she would force a breakdown of the Conference over a matter of ten per cent Events, in the words of the British spokesman scents to be shaping themselves towards interesting developments, In connection with the meeting of the Chinese and Japanese delegations, Jordon bampson will watch the proceedings on behalf of Britain, Americans also having advisers present.

(From the Special Representative of the Australian Press Association.)

(Received This Dav at 9.40 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Dec. 1. Some Conference quarters to-day suggest the possibility of a decision regarding the naval ratio will not be arrived at for several days, the reason being there is no desire on the part of both American and Japanese to have the matter finalised before some thorny Far Eastern questions, such as Shantung conic up for settlement. Much therefore may depend on China’s attitude, though it is hinted semi-oftieialh she is not averse to a compromise, while it is known Japan is ready to ntaks considerable concessions, even beyond her previous offers. Questions of Far Eastern fortifications were also under notice at to-day’s discussion, one view of the Japanese attitude in regard to the naval ratio being that' she is refraining from acquiescence in the American plan until she is more certain that she is reassured with future guarantees that her Pacific position will not be further • ballenged. Mi Balfour and Mi Hughes opened a conversation with Chinese and Japanese this afternoon, with speeches hoping to lead to a inst. satisfactory conclusion. They then left after Kato and Sze expressed appreciation. The State Department here characterises as inaccurate the rumour cabled that Baron Kato formally presented to

Air Hughes and Air Balfour conclusions - x'f naval exjierts. Nevertheless it is admitted in authoritative circles that

the matter has now left the experts and become one ol the principles tot the Big Three. Nothing formal was put forward, it is explained. The exports having developed the reports, the recommendations matter "ill go to the Big Three who first asked for such a report. There is no occasion therefore to talk about a deadlock. The American position remained as cabled. Air Balfour at to-day’s interview, paid a warm tribute to the work of Air Pearce, and Sir J. Salmond and other oversea delegates. They gave him the greatest possible assistance. He did not know how he would get along without them. The Dominion belonged to a single Empire and the united, ardent patriotism of their representatives working in perfect harmony and doing tlxiir utmost to bring the Conference to a successful conclusion. It was. certain no community ever sent to any ( onference more capable representaives "ho were more zealous in the common cause. He owed then tie than lie could say. They afforded mutual assistance and reciprocal advice on the complicated mass of subjects dealt with.

English delegation circles wort* at Paris to-day to correct a somewhat pessimistic tone adopted by a section of the press as to the outcome ol the Conference. Public assurance was {riven that this was quite unjust. There is no need to anticipate such a catastrophe as breaking down. The must hopeful view was taken hv one lii{th authority, wlto summarised a position by saving the expdrts were invaluttble in their proper place, but they must not guide the policy of statesmen. This is indicative of the attitude which will probably lie ’taken by the Big Three towards the experts reports. Baron Ivato denied he presented any statement to Mr Hughes and Mr Balfour. He had received the experts reports and was now digesting them He denied further, that any instructions had liven received from Toku insisting that Japanese delegates should demand | an' improvement on the capiatl ships j ratio. Kato would not admit that a state of deadlock existed. j The British view the submarine j should lie abolished, is again empha- I sised in delegation quarters to-day. though consideration of the naval holidays is not yet officially reached. There i M reason to believe it has been found that a complete cessation of warship building for ten years, as suggested in ihe American plan lias been found impracticable. When the figures were examined it liocanie manifest that the conditions suggested for replacement would, if no ships were built tor ten veurs *dve Britain a great preponderance of capital ships when building was * allowed, amounting to twelve against _ United States four and Japanese one. This was due to the age of the ships left in commission under the present plan, whereby a majority of the British replacemnts would take place long i» advance of those of United States. Thus the British Navy would be vast I \ superior after building was allow, thereafter, at live and ten years interval the balance to he readjusted alternately in favour of United States and Britain. British experts made the discovery and pointed out tho same to

the Americans who agreed the problem now before the experts is to devise a scheme preserving the principle of naval holidays and overcome the difficulties outlined in the present solution. It is suggested these nations lie allowed to build two ships every three years. British also suggest instead of an aggregated tonnage basis, the agreement should be the terms of ships assigning fifteen to Britain, and States, nine to Japan, all of thirty-live thousand tons, thus slightly indreasing the tonnage above live, five, three hut not affecting the ratio.

SEISMAIIIN ES AND POISON GAS

uni run service telegrams. (Received This Day at 8..‘50 a.m.) WASHINGTON, December 1. A special representative at the Conference learns much of the British objections to submarines also applies to poison gas and bombing planes but olio practical difficulty was that they could not abolish in peace the manufacture of chemicals, which in war could be turned to warlike purposes. Commercial aeroplanes were also usable in war but submarines could not be turned to a peaceful commercial account. Human nature was such that an agreement forbidding nations to use submarines against merchants slii; could not he enforced, and would not have as good effect, as the prohibition of submarines entirely. Although they could lx- speedily manufactured, war trained crews would not be available, thus militating against their use as a weapon.

The ascertained British view is that land armaments will not he finally considered at this conference because tlic greater number of armed nations not represented. Several of those represented did not employ conscription. Until conscriptive nations were adequately represented it would he dilticult to settle the conscription problem, which was one of the greatest of difficulties in connection with land armament.