WAY TO PEACE.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 July 1921, Page 5

WAY TO PEACE.

u PROPOSED CONFERENCE, MR. HUGHES’ ENTHUSIASM. VVER PRESIDENT HARDING’S LEAD. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, July 11. At the Conference Mr. Hughes said.— “The invitation from President Harding to the Allied and Associated Powers is a message which the world will hail with joy. It holds out hope to all mankind. “In outlining the object of the Imperial Parliament in April, I said war was a curse, and that we should do all things in our power to prevent it. Therefore, the ideal to which the conference should aim as the first step to peace was th? renewal of the AngloJapanese Treaty in such a form as was acceptable to Britain, America, Japan and ourselves.

“The Prime Minister, in House o-f Commons to-day, has clearly indicated that, as the result of the deliberations at the Imperial Conference, that ideal is at last on a fair way to realisation. The nations concerned m what may be called Pacific problems are being invited to meet in conference. I hope and feel sure an arrangement will be arrived at satisfactory to Japan, America, China, and the Empire that will leave the road clear to the greater conference on disarmament which President Harding has invited and at which all the great Powers will be represented if they desire disarmament. , “The significance of the Prime Minister’s statement is therefore revealed by the consideration of both these facts. Alone they would hold little hope for permanent relief from the suicidal policy of larger and larger armaments; together they hold out real prospects of peace and freedom from that nightmare hanging like a cloud above the heads of the people, especialy the three naval Powers. I rejoice such a lead has heen given.” The Daily Chronicle states that President Harding and Mr. Lloyd George have reached a common conclusion from different starting points. President Harding’s was the desire for a disarmament conference. The British was the Anglo-Japanese Treaty. Though they recognised the past value the treaty and the future need of friendship and co-operation between the two leading Asiatic Powers, it was also of paramount importance to retain the friendship of the United States. They found the solution in a round table meeting. The Daily News says that the exhaustion of Europe may alone suffice to transfer to yet unexhausted fields the fever which ravaged her. There is less to prevent the Pacific becoming the storm centre of the world now that the tempest has worn itself out elsewhere. There is now nothing to prevent it, except the resolution of the League of •Nations, that it shall not happen. Towards the realisation of that resolve President Harding’s message is a notable step. Th? Daily Telegraph states: “Our Imperial -statesmen will do everything to ensure the full success of President Harding’s far-seeing and statesmanlike proposals. The Imperial Conference has done much for the world’s peace by unreservedly laying its views on Eastern questions before the Powers chiefly concerned. This should ensure a successful attempt to settle Pacific problems.”

Dealing with Pacific problems, the Morning Post says: “We have done what we could to ensure friendly relations anjong the Pacific Powers by concluding the Japan Treaty. Wo would gladly see America, Franco and Italy added. Regarding the Anglo-Japanese Treaty, America must acknowledge that with Britain British interests must be first, as with the United States American interests are supreme. It is clearly to the interests of the British Empire to be allied to her Japanese neighbour in the Pacific. It is yet to be demonstrated that the same alliance will not be. a benefit to the United States. The Imperial Conference has testified to the ' essential unity of the Empire and its sincere unity towards the United States. It should not be unduly difficult,. under these circumstances, to reach the understanding President Harding has suggested.” The Daily Telegraph -.fates: “If the United States, Britain, the Australasian Dominions, France and Italy cannot concertedly solve the Pacific problems the position must be hopeless indeed. We do not believe it is hopeless, but must not under-rate, the difficulties. Peace in the Pacific must be assured before disarmament is carried far. (hie depends on the other. That is why the Anglo-Japanese Treaty has suddenly assumed an importance transcending its modest, provisions.” FRENCH CHAMBER APPROVE. Paris, July 12. The Chamber unanimously recorded approval of President Hardings invitation. M. Briand proposes tc attend the Washington conference. POSSIBLE DATE OF MEETING. Washington, July 12. The highest authority indicates that the disarmament conference may be called to meet on November 11, the anniversary o-f the Armistice.