NAVAL LIMITATION

Hokitika Guardian, 21 October 1929, Page 6

NAVAL LIMITATION

JAPAN ADVOCATES REDUCTION. (British /Official Wireless). RUGBY, October 18. The text has been issued of the reply by the Japanese Government to the British Government’s invitation to participate in the Five Power Naval Conference. The reply says the Japanese Government were happy to signify their entire concurrence in the desirability of the proposed conference, and are ready to appoint representatives to take part in the conference. The Japanese Government are further gratified lo know the willingness of the British Government to continue informal conversations with the Japanese Ambassador at London, as hitherto, on many points which may require' elucidation. They note that similar discussions conducted at London by the Prime Minister with the American Ambassador during the last three months had cleared the ground for an agreement on essential points between the British arid American Goverinments, prior to an invitation being extended to the other naval Powers to meet at the conference. The Japanese Government attach the highest importance to the same procedure being followed by the Japanese and British. Governments, in order to em sure an 'agreement between them on various questions that are to he laid before the conference. The success of the forthcoming conference, no doubt, depends in a large measure upon the satisfactory issue of such preliminary discussions and the Japanese Government confidently trust that informal conversations between, the. British Gov r ; ernment and th 6 • Jaanese Ambassador on questions of special moment will he carried on and completed before these questions are presented to the Conference for final adjustment: With regard to the four points off principle mentioned in the British Note as the subject of a provisional agreement between the British and American Government, the Japanese Government hope to be able to submit their observations in the course of an informal conversation which the Japanese Ambassador will shortly hold with the British Government of their cordial suport of the principle that the Treaty for the Renunciation of War signed at Paris in 1928, should he taken as the starting point for all the discussions on disarmament. They feel confident that the sense off national security inspired by the provisions of that Treaty in the mutual relations of the contracting Powers will pave the way for a final settlement of the outstanding questions relative to naval disarmament.

RUGBY, October 18

In conclusion, the Japanese Government expresses the sincere and earnest hope that the Conference will succeed in the adoption of plans calculated to promote international peace and goodwill. and relieve humanity of the heavy burden of armament, whether existing or contemplated. It is not merely the limitation, but also the reduction, of armaments that all of the nations should seek to attain.