PACIFIC CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 July 1921, Page 5

PACIFIC CONFERENCE.

PRELIMINARY MEETING. THE PREMIERS CONFER. VIEWS ON DISARMAMENT. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received July 2G, 5.5 p.m. London, July 25. Whatever doubts existed regarding the preliminary Pacific Conference they were dispelled to-day. It is certain now that the representatives of the nations and Dominions interested will meet to discuss the ,side issues before the main disarmament gathering is held in Washington. It may not be called a conference, but, as an imperial Minister remarked to-day, “Call it a powwow, conversation, exchange of views, or anything else,” but something of that nature u assured, and it is practically settled tnat a gathering will be held in London to reach finality on thia point, most likely on Tuesday. The Prime Ministers, after spending the week-end at Bath. Bristol and in the Cheddar district, returned to Paddington to-day to find motors waiting to take them hurriedly to a summoned meeting at noon. No announcement was made, but it was learned privately that thia was the preliminary conference referred to. The delegates, before leaving for lunch, were a«eured that an opportunity would be given them to place their views fully before those likely to be the final arbiters on the disarmament question, which directly hinges on the situation in the Pacific. Late this afternoon another meeting ■was called, but it was quickly dissolved, ns Mr. Lloyd George wa»> compelled to remain at a Cabinet meeting which extended unexpectedly. Meanwhile Mr. Meiglian Is standing by to become conversant with the latest developments before hurrying home. He will perhaps be back again when required. The Prime Ministers are convinced it would be futile to seriously discuss disarmament at. a general conference in America unlees the issues causing the present rivalry are first settled satisfactorily without any affronts to national asp'rations and pride of race. The outlook ifl not promising. One delegate suggested that the fate of the proposed preliminary conference was tot a matter to be decided by one nation. If any nation did not desire to attend that was its own affair, but tbe others would confer anyway. The lack of news and strict gecrecy are preventing the London papers rom assess.ng the position. The majority ire silent, and others are guessing wildly, »ut their are based on rrong premises.—Aus.-NJZ. Cable Assn.

IMPORTANCE TO AUSTRALIA. J MATTER OF LIFE OR DEATH. Received July 26, 5.5 pun. London, July 25. 1 Referring to the Pacific Conference late ' io-night, Mr. W. M Hughes said a satifl■fcctory understanding of tbe problems was . a matter of moment to America, but it 1 was B matter of life or death to Aus-tralia.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. SCOPE OF THE CONFERENCE. INFLUENCE ON ALLIES’ DEBTS. Received July “26. 9.20 p.m. Washington, July 25. Mr. C. E. Hughes (Secretary of State), has communicated to Japan direct America’s attitude towards the Japanese inquiry regarding the scope of the Pacific discussion and disarmament conference. Senator Borah flaked the Senate to postpone the funding of the foreign debt to the United States until after the disarmament conference has concluded its work, and stated that should the debtor nations continue vast expenditures on armaments, the United i States must insist that they promptly meet their debts with interest. —Aus.Jtz. Cable Assn. ATTITUDE OF AMERICA. AGREES TO EARLY MEETING. Received July 26, 9.20 p.m. New York, July 25. The Chicago Tribune’s London correspondent states that Mr. Harvey (American Ambassador) has delivered a message to the British Government indicating the United States’ willingness to hold a preliminary Pacific Conference either in Washington or in a neutral country, and pointing out that the choice of November 11 for the main conference was made on sentimental grounds; any other date will do.—Aub.-N-Z. Cable Assn. ONE VOTE FOR EMPIRE. Washington. July 25. it is understood that the British Empire will officially have only one voice at the Washington Disarmament Conference. Representatives of the Dominions will be included in tbe delegation, but it is believed Mr. C. E. Hughes (Secretary of State) is informing Britain that it is the attitude of his Government that the Empire will have but one vote.