AMERICAN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 December 1924, Page 3

AMERICAN ITEMS.

[Reuters Telegrams.J

AIM A MAI AM ENTS.

WASIIIXCTOX, December 17.

England and Japan are probably the greatest air powers in the world, while the United Slates is about level with Italy, according to the testimony of the Assistant Chief of the Army Air Service, (ieneral Mitchell before the House Investigations Committee. He said the British are trying to lay the foundation of air supremacy, as they did with their fleet. Japan owes her excellent air service to her efforts to consolidate her flying activities. The United States could control the sea by air within two years, if the services were given yearly appropriations equivalent to the cost of half a battleship. (leneral Mitchell favoured divorcing the air services from the army and navy, and the establishment of a single flying organisation, with a view to developing a national air policy.

OFFICIALLY I!KPUDIATED. WASH IXCTOX, Dec. 10. The Federal Administration to-day prepared for quick action to head olf •Mr Britten’s resolution in the Federal House (entiled yesterday). High oflicials deplored, as untrue and dangerous, .Mr llritten’s statement that Japan is preparing for war, and said the feeling lietween the two Covorninents is one of complete friendliness nud understanding, desnite the efforts of ill-advised croups in each country to stir up trouble. Mr Uritten’s statement that the attitude of Japan before the League of Nations in opposition to the principles of America was a justification for his resolution is challenged, the officials insisting that Japan’s attitude towards the League Arms’ I’rotocol was not aimed at the United States. An administration leader, said that Japan, in fact, is the only power with which this fJovernment has no disagreement at the moment. There are several matters upon which we are negotiating with Britain, France. Italy, and others, but with the Japanese Covornment we are in complete accord. PEACH f 0 OPERATION IX PACIFIC. WASHIXC!TOX, December in. Administration oflicials admit that the exclusion of Japanese immigrants from the United States still is being used by certain elements in Japan to stir up hatred, but the Japanese Government, while deploring the form ol the Exclusion Act, which also is oppcsed by President Cooliilge, considers the matter closed. The officials declare a new spirit of co-operation has arisen in the Far East, under which Japan, Hritain and the United States, are working together for a solution of the problems in the Pacific. Any conference of White nations, as proposed by Mr Britten, would destroy that co-op-eration, and play into the hands of the belligerent elements in each country, which seek to emphasises the conflict between the White and A ellow races.

Tb Administration leaders emphatically stato on the basis of careful official reports, that the Japanese Government does not want, and does not expect, war with the United Stales and is actively pursuing a policy of peace. The inflammatory statements in Japanese newspapers are attributed to an agitation here for a bigger navy, and to the anti-Japanese propaganda, which in an exaggerated form is quoted in the Japanese press.