The Daily News. MONDAY, JULY 4, 1921. THE EMPIRE FIRST.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 July 1921, Page 4

The Daily News. MONDAY, JULY 4, 1921. THE EMPIRE FIRST.

Assuming that the cabled message relating to the discussion at the Premiers’ Conference on the subject of the Anglo-Japanese Treaty is a fairly accurate summary of the debate that took place it must still be remembered that it is an unofficial version, and may have been compiled from various sources of information, some of which may not have been free from coloring tints. Apparently the Canadian Premier (Mr. Meighen) so closely identifies the ir.iterests of Canada and America that he may be said to represent both countries, and his main object seemed to be either to place the United States in the forefront of the question or to use the Republic as a stalking horse wherewith to capture, support for Canadian policy. Hence he summed up his position thus: “While not averse to the renewal of the Treaty, there were certain conditions and modifications which he insisted should be acceptable to America, whose interests were common with those of Canada.’’ Possibly the right construction to be placed on that assertion is that Canada and America are of one accord in their view concerning the treatment of the Japanese. That involves a very serious issue, inasmuch as the question arises as to whether in this, or any other, matter America is to take precedence over the Empire. On this point Mr. Hughes (Australia) took a commendably firm stand when he said he could not understand the representative of any Dominion not placing the Empire first, adding that while he desired the Treaty to be renewed in terms agreeable to America, it must first be in terras advantageous and agreeable to the Dominions and the Empire. The weakness of Mr. Meighen’s ease was strikingly emphasised by importing the League of Nations into the discussion on the ground that the setting up of a second League of Nations should, if possible, be avoided. It was merely drawing a red herring at ross the seent. There is not the remotest reason for connecting the Treaty and the League as antagonistic forces. The spirit that led to the institution of the League was that of unity for preserving peace, and the same spirit, is present in regard to the object of the Treaty. Mr. Meighen must be well aware that a movement has been organised in America for creating an association of nations, and it would be interesting to know whether he considers that movement accords with the spirit that led to the formation of the League. The question that really matters is whether Canada prefers to ally herself with America or to remain a unit of the British Empire. In other words: Is America or the Empire to be the first consideration? To this there can be but one answer—the Empire must come first. If America desires either that the Treaty shall not be renewed, or that it shall only con--1 tain .provisions acegataliLe to. her*

there are the usual channels of communication whereby her desires can be expressed, and the inalienable friendship existing between the two great Englishspeaking democracies would ensure full justice being done in adjusting all points of difference. If, in the interests of peace and progress, disarmament is to be general, there will be little for the League to do that cannot be more promptly and quite as effectively done by diplomacy, yet, as Mr. Hughes demonstrated, not only has America failed to join the League, but has entered upon the construction of the largest navy in the world, and, though appealed to, had given no sigh of willingness to disarm. Mr. Hughes favors a clause in the Anglo-Jap-anese agreement providing for its automatic determination as soon as America and Japan disarmed, and that should suffice to meet the case. That Britain would welcome and heartily concur in disarmament is certain. It is absurd to regard the agreement as Being aimed at America. While it is difficult to arrive at the real motive impelling the Canadian Premier to the line of action he is adopting, there can be no doubt that he is sincere, though he placed himself and his country in an awkward position. At the subsequent sitting of the Conference it became clear the renewal of the Treaty was assured. The question has been raised by the Daily Chronicle as to whether Japan and America cannot be brought to an agreement through the medium of the British Empire. Unquestionably such a course would be favorable to peace, and is well worthy of special effort.