Washington Conference.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 January 1922, Page 3

Washington Conference.

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

AMERICAN SHIPPING MOVE. WASHINGTON, Jan 24. Mr Harding has launched a campaign to establish the American merchant marine on a permanent basis. It is understood he approved, of a plan of providing for direct subsidies to piivate owners, the money coming from diverted customs receipts, goods carried on American bottoms and also indirect subsidies. The Shipping Board made a statement,, that the object was to put American operations on an even basis with British. The latter are taken as a standard of comparison, because they are the nearest competitor in the cost of operating. j AMERICAN OBJECTIONS. i WASHINGTON, Jan 24. Mr Hughes' and Mr Hoover opposed United States participation at the Go- 1 noa, or any economic conference, until France accepts the original naval agree ment, and adopts a less belligerent attitude, and till Russia demobilises her army. j USA MERCANTILE MARINE- j WASHINGTON, January 24. President Harding has launched a campaign to establish the American Merchant Marine on a permanent basis. It is understood that he approved of a plan providing for direct State .subsidies ito privafte qwnersi, the money for which is to come from diverted customs receipts on goods carried on American bottoms and also indirect subsidies. The U.S. Shipping Board has made a statement to the effect that the object in view is to pui American shipping operations on an even basis with those of the British. The latter ,s Marine is taken as a standard of c om , pari son, because it is the nearest com petitor in the cost of operations. ; CONFERENCE DISCUSSION. (Received This Day at 10.15 a.m.) j WASHINGTON, January 25. Mr Hughes declared that in view of the fact that the question of mandates in Pacific north of Equator had been already settled between United States and Japan and because he felt the question of mandates south of Equatoi ! mioilit he amicably discussed between ! bringing he matter before far Eastern j United States and Britain without I Committee, therefore he said the ! mandate subject on agenda would be declared settled Mr Root offered a resolution asking that a Committee should be appointed to investigate the question of electrical communication! between China and other nations, the Committee to report as early as possible to the nation interested. The Committee will consider the resolution at next meeting. Mr Balfour offered a resolution that the nations agree to forbid the export of firearms to China for the purposes of war. Several delegtas declared they were unable to assent to this witTiout consulting their Governments, pointing on also that it should be in the form of resolution Mr Balfour agreed and the resolution will be redrafted and submitted on a later occasion. CONFERENCE DECISION. WASHINGTON January 25. It is understood Cabinet conference decided to negotiate a treaty with Germany and create separate Commission to arbitrate on private war claims because of tne hostility pf Republican senators to participation in the Allied Arbitration Commission under Versailles Treaty. It was also decided to lend five million dollars to .Siberia. This was promised during the war but subsequently with-held.