SIR JOHN SALMOND

Hokitika Guardian, 4 May 1922, Page 2

SIR JOHN SALMOND

SUCCESS OF WASHINGTON CONFERENCE. AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CAIII.K ASSOCIATION ■ Received This Day at 8 a.m.) SYDNEY, May 3. Sir John Salniond interviewed, regarded the achievements of Washington Conference as nothing short of marvellous. He expressed the firm belief in Jjpan’s good faith and honest desire for international 'welfare. The conception that Japan harboured treacherous plans for aggression was unfounded. The impression left on his mind was that she recognised her interests were inseparable from peace, and wanted peace honestly and sincerely. The Pacific problem had been practically settled at the conference. Japan’s attitude was a . matter worthy of high commendations. He described the dramatic moment when Charles Hughes announced America’s proposed naval reduction policy, which caused an immense effect. Sir J. Saln»ond believed the. Washington Naval Treaty put an end to the insensate competition in naval armaments. The Anglo-Japanese Alliance has been successfully supplanted, This removed America’s suspicions and made for a wider and more satisfactory scheme. However, naval defence in the Pacific, had not become unnecessary', Australia and New Zealand should take a fair share of the maintenance of British forces that still would be found necessary, but the policy of painting Japan as black, fostered a feeling opposite to that requisite for the maintenance of the goodwill of nations. It was unlikely the Washington Conference would have any immediate successors, because of the completeness of the Work done there.- The results were a matter of profound satisfaction to all the Powers concerned, more especially Australasia, interested as it was in the Pacific problem^;