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Hokitika Guardian, 6 November 1928, Page 4

Tuk “Intimate Papers’’ of the Into Colonel Mouse now being published in the United States, are of considerable world interest, particularly the portion relating to the Colonel’s inside view of matters relating to the settlement of the war. Colonel House, as many will recall, was the confidential friend and adviser of President Wilson, and the first edition of his “Intimate Papers” contains many interesting disclosures of diplomatic secrets dating back to the war period. Tn the new volume there is an illuminating reference to the difficulties that arose at the Peace Conference through Japan’s obvious desire to secure a firm foothold in the Southern Pacific. Colonel House tells ns that he was approached by two of the Japanese envoys, who complained bitterly that “they were having no end of trouble” with AH AY. AL Hughes, who was then Australian Prime Afinistcr. Afr Hughes was so indignant at the aggressive attitude of Japan that he threatened to have the whole matter discussed at a full session of the Conference and to “raise a storm of protest” in the Dominions and the United States. Happily Air Hughes, hacked by Air Massey, made such a formidable demonstration that the Japanese were induced to moderate their pretensions. It will he remembered that the Japanese delegates to the League of Nations subsequently made a hold attempt to promote their emigration policy by urging tlie League to declare that immigration laws are matters of international and not domestic policy. This manoeuvre was also balked by the vigilance of the Dominion representatives. But it helped to confirm the suspicion that, at the Peace Conference Japan had made demands that could not have been satisfied without injury and loss to the Dominions. Colonel House has now made it clear that Australia and the Empire owe a heavy debt of gratitude to Mr Hughes for the strong and courageous stand that he made against the claims of the Japanese.