The Daily News WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 1921. LIMITATION OF ARMAMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, 13 July 1921, Page 4

The Daily News WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 1921. LIMITATION OF ARMAMENTS

The preliminary action taken by President Harding in relation to holding a conference on the question of limiting armaments apparently embraces the consideration of 'the Anglo-Japanese Treaty,, the Pacific problem, Far Eastern policy and the future of China. As the American President . some weeks ago intimated that he would take no steps for convening a conference unless such a course would be acceptable to the Powers chiefly concerned, it may be assumed that he has been satisfied on this point, and that formal official inquiry in this direction now made is the first open step towards a conference that may have far-reaching results. It will be noted that President Harding suggests that the Powers specially interested—Britain, France, Italy, Japan, China and America—should ‘‘undertake, in connection with this conference, the (Consideration of all matters bearing on their with a view to reaching a common understanding in respect to the principles of their policies in the Far East.” A conference such as that proposed by President Harding may give rise to an impression that the League of Nations is being superseded in order to meet America’s views, but that cannot be helped so long as the United States refrains from joining the League. The object in view is of such immense importance, and it accords so closely with the purpose of the League, that no reasonable ground of objection should be raised. Any concerted action that is designed for amicably settling international questions should be welcomed, no matter how they may overlap the functions of the League. To attempt to tackle the problem of disarmament without first settling the policy of the countries chiefly interested in the Pacific and the Far East would be useless, but once that policy is arranged on a sound basis the great burden of armaments will stand a fair chance of .. being reduced to a minimum. It may be argued that agreements between different nations can be ignored or flouted at any time if any of the signatories so will; but there would be no’ fear of that occurring. Without doubt, Japan is the central figure in this group, so far as America is directly concerned, though the protection of American interests in China is a factoi’ that cannot be overlooked. From every point of view it is advisable that the proposed conference should be held, and every effort made to arrive at a satisfactory arrangement of all matters coining under review. According to a cablegram from London it is confidently anticipated that beneficial results will follow President Harding’s step. The lightening of the burden of armaments will enable financial affairs to assume a more favorable and stable aspect, while the settlement of the Pacific problems will be -welcome to the Dominions. It would probably be advisable that the Dominions should take part in the conference, for not only are they directly interested in the matters to be discussed, but also in minimising the cost of naval defence. It is, therefore, to be hoped that the conference will be held, and that tiie outcome will justify President Harding’s action, and be the means of promoting peace and concord.