PACIFIC PROBLEMS

Taranaki Daily News, 19 July 1921, Page 5

PACIFIC PROBLEMS

PRELIMINARY CONFERENCE. NEXT NOVEMBER SUGGESTED AN INCONVENIENT DATE. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received July 19, 12.10 a.m. London. July 18. A telegraphed excerpt from the Montreal Star appearing in the London Press is attracting attention. It is headed “Don’t chill American opinion,” and it states: “It is most ardently to be hoped that the personal convenience of Mr. Massey and Mr. Hughes will not be allowed, to force the holding of the preliminary conference on Pacific problems in London. This,” declares the Star, “would be a colossal blunder in reading Americans’ psychology. Their President inaugurated it and for the preliminary conference in London to deal with some of the most important features of the problems would be to rub most of the gilt off the gingerbread.”

November eleventh is suggested by President Harding as the date for the conference, and as jt is imperative that Mr. Massey and Mr. Hughes should return in September it will be impossible for them to accept for that date, yet both are representatives of the Dominions most vitally concerned in the Pacific problems, regarding which the preliminary conference is understood to have been suggested to suit their convenience.—Special to Press Association. AMERICAN AIMS. AT COMING CONFERENCE. Washington, July 12 (delayed). •A high authority outlined the American aims at the proposed conference on disarmament and Pacific affairs as follows: — Firstly, the removal of the sources of international friction as a necessary prelude to effective disarmament. Secondly, the extension of the disarmament principle wherever possible to stop the use of gas, aircraft and other means of warfare. Thirdly, the adoption nf the principle of the open door in Siberia similar to the open door policy in China.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. PACIFIC PROBLEMS. JAPAN'S ATTITUDE. New York, July 16. The Japanese Consul-General states that the Japanese Government is considering whether it would be more expedient, in order to facilitate the attainment of the object of the conference, that the character and scope of the Pacific problems should be defined before views are expressed, and Japan has requested the United States to inform it of the American views on that phase of the matter. The Tokio correspondent of the Daily Express interviewed Mr. Hara, the Premier, who said: “I am sympathetic to disarmament, but the matter is still under discussion by the Powers, so it would be improper to express an opinion. Nevertheless Japan would welcome an opportunity for a discussion with friendly Powers on the matter, which is vita! to the peace and happiness of the. world. Japan hopes that practicable arrangements will be devised for lightening the burden of armaments.” The proposal is absorbing the Government’s whole attention. The inclusion of China as one of the parties to the deliberations is regarded as doubtful and there is a lurking fear that Japan may manoeuvre her into an unfavorable position.

A prominent Japanese says that if equality of opportunity, is postulated in China it must not be denied in America and Australia and Indo-China. The tariffs axd the discrimination of New Zealand and Australia in the Pacific Islands and emigration questions muet nfteessarily arise, and Japan cannot discuss these except on terms of equality^— Aus.-N.Z. Cat-ie. Assn. JAPANESE DELEGATES DISCUSSED. Tokio, July 16. The Government Party is urging Mr. Hara to amend the arrangements for the proposed disarmament, conference, declaring that if a delegation is sent which is compelled to wait for instructions from Tokio it will be disadvantageous to Japan. Army circles favor Count appointment, and navy circles approve Count Admiral Kato, who declares that he would not refuse such an assignment. He added that it would be better to discuss Pacific questions separately. If a satisfactory disarmament agreement was concluded Japan would not adhere to ' the eight battleship and eight cruiser programme. HOLLAND WATCHING, London, July 17. j It is reported from The Hague that i the Dutch Government is watching do-1 velopments regarding President Hard- j jog’s proposed conference with the keen- 1 est interest, because the settlement of the problems would solve the grievous I burden of protecting the East Indies.• The Government had decided on an elaborate programme of naval defence in the Pacific, directed primarily against Japan. Lord Northcliffe will devote hia tour mainly to the study of Pacific problems in every Pacific country.