EMPIRE PREMIERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 July 1921, Page 5

EMPIRE PREMIERS.

TREATY WITH JAPAN. REASONS FOR RENEWAL. STRONG PACIFIC NAVY, By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—“ Copyright, Received July 20, 5.5 p.m. London, July 19. The Premiers’ Conference to-day was interrupted while the Prime Ministers attended Mr. Lloyd George’s garden party at Downing Street, where there were a thousand guests present. Much business was done at the morning session, which was devoted to a discussion on foreign affairs. The debate was resumed on the Pacific question. Admiral Lord Beatty and Admiral Grant being present. The Anglo-Japaneee Treaty was not directly mentioned, ‘being overshadowed by the Washington proposal, but the whole position was surveyed and all phases examined in order to have all facts marshalled for presentation to the Pacific Conference from the Empire standpoint, and, alternatively, to avoid summoning another Imperial Conference ’hurriedly should the American plans fail. Mr. W. F. Massey and Mr. W. M. Hughes etill adhere to their original stand that it is in the best interests of the Empire that in any circtimstanrefi the Anglo-Japanese Treaty should be renewed as a precaution against the Washington discussions failing to settle Pacific problems. Naval defence is bound by the same consideration; yet the Australasian delegates are insisting on adequate protection being always available as a guarantee that the whole Empire will be inviolate in any emergency till disarmament is an accomplished fact.

Strict secrecy is observed, but at the conclusion of ; Tne conference Mr. Hughes was apparently well satisfied with the outlook. He declined to comment, but inquiries in other quarters suggest that the basic principle which he favors is now receiving encouraging support. <Exlact detail- are not available, 'but it may be regarded as certain that the proposal include a force in the Pacific equal tp delaying any enemy for a month or five weeks, thus enabling the main fleet to arrive to the rescue. This arrangement is understood to hinge, on a substantial subsidy to the Admiralty.—Aus.-N-Z. Cable Assn.