Washington Conference.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 December 1921, Page 3

Washington Conference.

(From the Special Representative of the Australian Press Association.) (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Dec 8. It is doubtful whether the Conference lias officially received the Japanese notification yot, and is awaiting full Japanese agreement on all matters including the ratio, before announcing its decision. Tl is also indicated that the arrangement of whatever its nature, will he between the four powers, including France. One well informed source says it will lie submitted to the Senate suggesting a treaty form. A careful canvass of that body shows them is no substantial opposition to the naval disarmament., Imt there is likely to he some to the Far Eastern agree-

ment. if it provided for an offensive alliance or is uiisalislflctory to China. Regarding Pacific problems the opposition is not so strong owing to the fact that the Yap controversy is out of the way. The Australian Press Association lias no further confirmation of the pins* statement regarding the treaty except that Franco has now accepted a definit(, invitation to become a signatory and Article Four has boon altered to provide an abrogation of the AngloJapanesfl Alliance, conditional on the treaty being ratified according to oonstitntionnl methods by the signatory powers. Tills means the Senate will have the treaty submitted to them. Mr Hat ding is reported to lit' confident that. In- can carry the Senate The spokesman of India pointed out to-dav the benefits .of the disarmamentconference would not immediately affect. India, which was apprehensive of nations such ns Russia. He was sure disarmament, must eventually roach to the. benefit, of India. He only objected to the clause in the Anglo-.Tnpnn-cse Alliance which prohibited .Tnpau from coming to the assistance o| Britain in case ol trouble in India. He wanted all reference to India removed. He looked approvingly on the recently developed movement for other nations to he brought in, in regard to Pacific affairs, as it made for a larger understanding, removing the causes of friction. India’s explanatory “Asia for Asiatics,” was only heard when white races claimed Hie empty spaces of earth for themselves, and excluded Indians from enjoying the benefits, lie assured his hearers that a vast majority of politically minded men ill India had no preference for Japan. Chinese and Japanese delegates today continued the discussion of public properties am! adjourned. The Australian Press Association learns on the: host- authority it is pro-

bable a identify session will he called for Saturday, in order to sign the treaty between the four powers deal ng with tilt* Pacific and Far Eastern pro* blems. The treaty consists id four clauses as a!read indicated, guarantee-, ing territorial integrity, maintenance of the status quo. mediation and arbitration. abrogation of (lie Anglo-.lnpau-

eso allianctj when the treaty has been ratified, constitutionally by the four powers sighting. >, will give the

greatest iin|»<*t us to tin* naval rat in, and other matter**- «»l stJiti'lmj; at- the lonfeience, the settleiuefil of which is expected |n proceed wit limit delay. •I < 111: iii with such a t rest tv being assur•<l Iw, will hr much readier to agree to tin* live tire tliret* rutin. Souk* reports say the treaty has already been signed and the plenary session will only ho hold for the purpose of making a public annonnronirnt. Tt is stated the period of treaty is ten years. The dapanose delegation persist in saying; there there has been nothing from Tnkftu yet regarding the naval ratio, hut it is believed tliey mv with-holding information until the Far Knstern Treaty is accomplished. The Japanese Covernexpect t<: retain Raghalicn ns n guarantee for indemnity in connection with the Nikolavesk massacre, until the establishment- of a stable all-Russian f.’ovcrnment. This will be Japan’s position when the eonferenee reaches consideration on tile Siberian question. (Received This Day at S.SO a.in.) WASHINGTON. December ft. Official 'flic Far Fasiejn Committee to-day discussed China** third proposal that the powers agree not to conclude anions themselves ;i treaty of agreement directly affecting China, without previously notifying China and giving her an opportunity to participate. Dr Koo pointed out such agreements fell into two divisions, one mutual engagements to abstain ftoni certain aiHion in special parts of China and the other, engagements of mutual

assistance in support of the interest of all foreign powers in C’liimi. or special interests claiimM by pailie-s to the agreement. Ite^a the lijst there lias Keen many objections

such as tlie method of arranging action of one nation upon tin* territory of another involving a national monopoly or profrenoo. China wished all poits to he open to .ill nations on equal t *• i ins The other group of treaties deals with ;*alV*-gua riling and defending the territories, rights and sjreeial intejsls in Kar Kast specially mentioning; China. They eonlaitied three* features: Imim. a declaration hy contracting parties that good order would In* maintained, the second a declaration in support of independence and integrity o| China and maintenance of tin* open door and in defence ot special inters!*; Thirdly recognition that, propinquity creates special relations. All thiee lento res are vital to the interests oi China. The client* of :»U sneli agreements was to maintain condition.* intimately effecting the rights of liberty and action of China itself. It appeared therefore that the Chinese Government had an .equitable right to he consulted mi all agreements dealing with the <ri>nci‘!il situation in the Car Kast

inehniiiirt C'hina. even though animated entirely by si friendly spirit. Mr Hal four objected to Dr Kuos’ plan which was altogether too wide. Kv<mvbody sympathised with 'China’s aspirations and was anxious In remove the abnormal conditions. A better way

<■(! to perpetuate the system of spheres \ of iiiterst or international undrstand- j injr wlieroon they depended. AI! t Ih* Conference could do was to see t,hat no undue limitations were placed on

China’ sovereign independence and give all the. help. Me could not believe the Rowers would accept the third point in its entirety. They went much beyond the existing principles of international law. Hi' asked the Chinese not to press the resolution hut to deal with particular evils. 'Pile Root resolutions., if sincerely carried out. would do all they wanted. Mr Hughes agreed that the nations belonging to the League were hound not to make seorte engagements. While United States could not have suggested embodying the resolution, its intention was not to do anything in derogation of the principles underlying tin; resolution.

Sir A. Geddos tuigijested adding tho following to the Root resolutions—The Powers agree not to enter into any treaty agreement or arrangement or understanding with ono another individually or collectively, or with any power or powers, which infringe or impair the principles herein declared. Haul Marti proposed the wording of the resolution he phrased si) that China also he banned to action in the same manner as tho other powers. M. Yiviani and M. Schanaer supported the British suggested resolution. which slightly modified was adopted as follows -The Powers attending the conference. United States, Britain, Belgium, China, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands and Portugal declare it their intention not to enter into anv treaty agreement arrangement or understanding, either with one another individually or collectively with any power or powers which will infringe or impair the principles adopted on November 21st., known as the Root principle* * *