Washington Conference.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 December 1921, Page 1

Washington Conference.

From the Special Representative of the Australian Press Association.)

FOUR ROWER AGREEMENT. (Received This Day at 8.80 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Dee. 7

The Assoeiation Press announces a lour Power agreement is being considered. It is officially learned it would he an agreement for a joint consultation on matters affecting the interest ot those nations in the Par ilie and not an alliance or technical Entente. llu agreement is in process ol being te-llur,-d to tie.uy form, and if msepted u j|l be submitted to tlm Semite. The proposed otldeli a 1 illg will mmol the Anglo-lap nil:.,me. Pn'po'ah’ Yiv, . 1,, ,|.|.... j, |,..i ...'elation ot 1 hat alliance, if' the new .: r, eoicii, should be (•oiisumumtrd. PACIFIC \I-FAIRS. (Emm the Special Representative M the Australian 1’n -■ Wormlm".) (Received This Day at 10.1 0 WASHINGTON. Dee. < Referring to the question J I arrangement of Pacific nflairs, the RnO-k spokesman to-day indicated that three Powers involved would most likely make some arrangement where ty mutual discussion would ->c I ,l>s ' with a view to avoiding diflmultios. , This eonlinns He statement -Mod , v- ; , (mg 11 . p.ovisuits oi the I It’ll) • ja, jij be ma<!f helvo'ii ilritaiti, | U.tiled'states and Japan, about which | j., still considerable surmise. n die rii,ms to-day are that foUili.-ations

in H.O Pacific are ie-arde.l t”J<> •' ' “ ’ point of the geographical position. I.u wan and Guam being ->'vmusly •> . M i•) c s ino di lie re nt eategitru s. 1 1 Paeilie is lome'iied. C:mt,t will not h included will, the -ignutories thong, possible a role,cnee to Iter po-.tnni "ill he made in the Treaty ttrraiigemetils. Hanihari revit”. ing to-days eointts pj.gis sail! he did not - e ai. ■ ! n bv Cl;ilia and Japan sir u!d tmt ag."-- ; .ii< J* r«i .'lll 's pro There were no s«;„ui. e. ■ 1 sen. ing riel, 11 stood the thorny qu-B'”'' ”» SbautuuL, 1 , .1,., lissifii nil , it i|v\nv rnnios up •'

Sn.nnlnv. , .. I, indicnied 10-d.’A <>«=>’. 'JKastern questions winch were I" j sell I,s! mi "hi he CO. ‘inut’d m > elan ■l’okio. if substantial atl,cement "eie not leaelied. ~.,t;„e lU'iesz.f denied ininouis leg.ui iis, dissension among Chinese delegates. He sim.ges.ed the ivsigm.lmu ol thr e-s i,'port,-d was bee.ii.se wanted here longer than -e military naval officers, who were- not likolv tn roiUHM'tiod m tln> < O,l ‘ ‘

'"(itlHial. 'hineseand.lnpane-eto-day ~„ss..d the qu.sli. ''.st lint,on t-> t,m'mar: Substantial progHss i.a Tbc discussion "ill he <ol,Hulled to

MESSAGE TO CONGR •’»- WASHINGTON. Dee. Mr Harding sent a communication "> Cenoress asking for the ereat.on o l’lillUIIOITl!ll Jill t I .!\<- • j I po,tried out .ha, Ended S.ntes hitherto nogleeted the nn nod > n l,e fust in the world to .o.n.nei eial ami defensive neria! underinkntgs. SPGGESS ASSURED-

PRESIDENT HARDING’S STATEMENT.

1?,. ~jv od This Dav at S a.m.) WASHINGTON. Dee 8 Air Harding’s statement at the Red Cross meeting M-day : - “1 k.mw whmm of 1 speak. We are going to succeed l.evond the Mildest hopes,” is the hist unqualified declaration as to tlie sueems of the Conte,enee, <on,tng from an.' high American source. It is thnugltt t he inspired hv the favourable news coining from Tokm. 'l’ll,, deelnrat ion was followed almost immediately by conferences with Mill ughes. , . . It is known the telegraphs cattle has l,eeu very busy with official business to-night. Tt would not he surprising if it. is learned the Japanese' Government has acquiesced in the terms of the naval agreement.

Already there is : very indication based on the closest canvass of tile situation, and despite official retieienee. that a definite understanding has been reached between Britain. United States and Japan which will take the form of a treatv, in regard to naval matters and perhaps also bar Eastern Aflnirs. American circles maintain silence as to exact form of the agreement issues. It is more ever likely that Fra nee will he included in these treaties of agreements. American opinion seems to be crvstalising thereto, inasmuch as the tripartite arrangement would range the two old friends. Britain and Japan against United States, whereas France would he expected to side with the latter in the event of differences of opinion. Tt is hinted that Japan’s objects to her inclusion because of too many cooks, ami also because b ranee might import the quarrels ol Europe into Asia.

Telegrams are pouring in upon the Chinese delegation, denouncing the method of conversations with Japan. There are indications that the question of leased territories will lie referred to a committee.

Sir John Salmottd was (lie guest at .» r given by Mr Hoover

NEAR TNG A CONCLUSION. (Received This Dav at 8 a.i11.) WASHINGTON. Do, 8. There are indications that the Conference is nearing a siierossfill conclusion. Several members of the British delegation and secretariat have hooked passages for England before the end of (he veal'. Olio memher of the delegation ventured to prophecy that thm* would he not mere (Inin three plenary sessions, one to announce the naval ratio agreement, the second to discuss other naval matters, and Die third to deal with Ear Eastern matters. The problems whereof are understood to ho in almost a forward state ns the navnl.

Phis, however, does not include China s demands.

Commenting thereon. British members said to-night that China was not ■ ,'Oing to get all she expects. WASHINGTON, Dec 7. Official. A proposal by Chinese delegntio ntliat China’s rights as a neutral be fully respected in tunire wars, to which she is not party, wore unanimously adopted, after Wang had pointed out- that these rights in the. past had been grievously disregarded, instancing the Russo-Japanese war and also the German ousting from Tsingtao. CTONESE STATEMENT .Received This Day at 8 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Doc 7. Official.— Dr Wellington Koo, lias isuod a statement in reply to Hanihara. He says that China cannot he expected to suhserime to Haniliara’s declaration l hat Japan succeeded Germany in the leasehold of Kiaoehau under tho Versailles Treaty. It is gratifying to note the reference that Japan obtains the leased territory from other Rowers, at the consideration of the sacrifice of blood and treasure because it is confirmed the Chinese delegation’s viewtint the maintenance of foreign leased' territories jeopardises peace in the Far East. Referring to 'Manchuria. Koo says this is an important point of. Chinese territory, because it is the historic road of the invasion of China, and also the economic life of the Chinese people depends, in a vital measure, on Man"hurin's natural agricultural resources, and it is an important outlet tor China’s surplus population. The interests of another foreign power can ,'onipare with China’s in Manchuria. As t.r, Kowloon there is much to he said for the importance of Hong Kong in iho trading world, hut whilo it is necessary to provide for the protection of such trade, tfie retention of Kowloon may not necessarily he tho sole solution.