Washington Conference.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 December 1921, Page 3

Washington Conference.

i i.F rum the Special Representative of the Australian Press Association.) SPIRIT OF JAPAN. 1 STATKMKNT BY ADMIRAL Tv A TO. WASHINGTON, Dec. If! [ Admiral K ato made a statomem in . "hick lie said: “The agreements which I the several nations have reached will meet with opposition only in a few un--1 important quarters. Japan, as a | whole, will rejoice in them as eomplete'ly if not actually more heartily than any other country in the world, if the spirit of Japan was not entirely in accord with that of the other great nations that will participate in the naval treaty, this agreement could not have been reached. It has been reached substantially in the form in which if was proposed by the United States and after less than live weeks’ discussion. These ! extraordinary circumstances show how unsound was any pessimism that prevailed before Mr Hughes made bis historic speech on November 12th, and how unfair were the (barges of delay

ill view of the fact that those drastic proposals tamo as a complete surprise to all the other nations. “1 may say that from <lav to day proposals have been made by the Japanese delegation which are supported bv their Government and people who are determined that their country shall not he the one to prevent agreement or even to delay it lievond the barest necessity of time for adequate consideration. As 1 said before, we have never bargained. Our delegates at till times have received, as we have striven .to give, fair consideration. Our attitude at this Conference will, we hope, make futile any effort such as has been made in the past to prevent Japan in the aspect of a bellicose nation, dangerous to peace in the Pacific. “For our part T am glad to sav 1 have obtained unquestionable evidence that Japan need have no fear ot any hostile designs that will menace her security from the West. This will be a most gratifying relief to us. STATI'S OK CHINA.

•‘Co-operation among the Powers interested for the preservation of the integrity, independence and administrative autonomy of China will not only gratify Japan but incalculably benefit China. In the past the blight of political controversy and conflict among the j greater Powers in China, while they ; have not boon the cause oi the present unfortunate conditions in that country, have not done good either to the Powers t lie to selves or to ('lnna. China is now assured she may proeeed towards unification and reconstruction unhampered by any of the nations that, have associated themselves with the Hoot principles. •\Ve arc confident we have come to m era which coil Id not h'nv been made

possible v. itlmnl li- leadership cl liic l'ni ( e d Slates. Il<-; remote position, mtnor anti prestige cave Iter a splendid opportunity. Her desire for justice enabled Iter to assume the leadership. Only those who did not know .Japan eouid have thought she would fail to follow.” .IAPAXESE FEEI.INt:. iPeeeived This l)av at 10. In a.in.)

TOKIO. December lb. Tlio police' broke up a demonstration against 'the American young Men’s League before the American Embassy, against the naval decision readied at Washington, tbe organisation having met previously and adopted a. resolution against the five five three formula. Pamphlets uoi e distributed entitled ‘‘Punish America.

Several newspapers make violent protests against America’s retention of the warships, -Maryland. Washington, and Colorado. The “Asahi Shimhun” attacks the Japanese delegates for not insisting on the seventy per cent ratio. The “Yokomin Shimhun” stacs the Washington Conference prepared for war. not peace, while it is detriments/ to Japa n. SCUM A R INK PROBLEM. BRITAIN FAVOURS TOTAL ABOLITION. WASHINGTON. December 10. When once the French and Italian ratios are settled the way will be clear for the presentation of the case against the submarine Mr Balfour (Britain) lias given formal notice that he intends to move for the total abolition of the submarine, basing his plea on the inevitable misuse of the weapon in war time. Probaldv the next plenary session of Conference will he called only when it is possible to announce a five-Power naval agreement and opportunity will be then given to Great Britain to state her case against the submarines, which it is understood is fully prepared and contains sensational matter drawn from her experiences in the Great War. In his statement to the Press, Mr Balfour reiterated the British views ifcspeot'ing submarines. He proposed to take every legitimate opportunity of laying those views before the Conference. The world did not consider the submarine necessarily a defensive weapon. It might always become* an offensive one if it- sank peaceful merchant ships at sight, whether neutral or belligerents. The question of the time for presenting the British case i rested with the United Stats. He thought it would he dealt with ns a | five Power proposition and would await | agreement with France and Italy on | the naval ratio question. i amertcan immigration. WASHINGTON, Dec 19. The Secretary for Labour, Mr Davis, asked the State Department to make representations to Britain against the Cunard Steamship Company for what he terms ‘'Bold and what T believe a knowing attempt on the part of the Company tu violate the immigration laws, either because of the paltry profits to he gained thereby, or to discredit our immigration policy.” Mr Davis also ordered fines to be sought against the Company to the limit of the law. The circumstances arise from the arrival of the liner Aquitania, with three hundred Hungarian immigrants, notwithstanding the fact that all steam ship lines have been informed that the. , Hungarian quota is already exhausted up to July 1922 Davis also asked Mr Dougherty for legal opinion, as to what action can be taken in the appalling situation which has arisen through the steamship companies reckless disrcgnrrl of the law. The immigration an- 1

tliorities have been ill constant controversy with companies, practically over since the inauguration of the immigration |inv. REKIN, Doc. 19. No reason is assigned for Caliini-t's resignation, but it is believed th© oanw is the financial situation, combined with Chinn’s Shantung attitude at Washington and various internal policies.