CONFERENCE OF NATIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 July 1921, Page 5

CONFERENCE OF NATIONS.

JAPAN WILL ATTEND. AGENDA TO BE DISCUSSED. PRIOR TO MEETING. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received July 28, 9.40 p.m. Washington, July 27. The State Department has published the correspondence between Japan and the United States relative to the Pacific Conference. The United States Government, on July 23, dispatched a Note to Tokio answering Japan’s request to be advised of the scope and nature of the subjects to be’discussed at the conference. The Note stated that the Secretary of State (Mr C. E. Hughes), in conversations with M. Shidehara (Japanese Ambassador to the United States) expressed the hope that Japan would not press its inquiry, in view of the fact that it was desirable that there should be full acceptance of the United States’ invitation, leaving this matter open for adjustment in the precise agenda to be arrived at later. The Note concluded: “The Secretary of State is willing to proceed with exchanges of opinion regarding the agenda prior to the meeting of the conference. He considers it inadvisable at the present moment to hamper the programme, and particularly to delay arrangements for the conference pending an agreement regarding this matter." • Japan’s reply states: “The Government is informed that the United States is willing to proceed with exchanges of opinion regarding the agenda prior to the conference meeting, and the United States eonjrdera it advisable to ad ust in the agenda the nature and scope of the Pacific and Far Eastern questions which will be discussed. Japan, upon that understanding, is happy to inform the United States of its intention gladly to accept the invitation to the conference. Japan, in order to secure the success of the conference, deems it advisable that the agenda should be arranged according to the main object of the discussion—namely, the establishment of an enduring peace and the advancement of human welfare, and the introduction therein of problems of sole concern to certain particular Powers, or such matters as may be regarded as accomplished facts, should be scrupulously avoided."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. DISCUSSION BY PREMIERS. DELIBERATIONS NOT REVEALED. QUESTION OF MEETING PLACE.

London, July 27. The Imperial Conference met to discuss the Pacific question this morning. All yesterday’s delegates were present. Later the Prime Ministers met privately and alone. The strictest secrecy was observed. The conference resumes to-morrow, and is expected to end on Friday. In the absence of official statements conflicting rumors are clouding the main business at the Imperial Conference. Many places and dates have been nameu for the preliminary discussion, but the only fact in the maze of uncertainty is that nothing hts been settled. Imperial and Dominion delegates, questioned, say that if any meeting place is mentioned it is not as the result of their deliberations but will be arranged regardless of them. It is not probable that any acton will be taken without reference to them. Late to-night dispatches were still being exchanged overseas, but those which were most eagerly awaited had not arrived. Till these replies are received it is clearly impossible to arrange details. It is expected a decision will be arrived at to-morrow, when an official announcement will be made regarding the Pacific meeting place. Meanwhile the papers are changing the scene, regardless of the expressed intentions of those most interested. DISARMAMENT PROBLEM. THE NEED FOR UNANIMITY. Received July 28, 9.40 p.m. New York. July 27. Mr. Theodore Roosevelt (Assistant Secretary of the Navy), in a speech declared •hat the limitation of armaments will be the thought uppermost at the coming imitation of armamqnts conference. “But I want to say,” he added, “that we must never under any circumstances put our iountry in a position where she would be unable to defend herself against anything and everything arising. The pacifists are muddle-headed idiots and will shout for th© United States to set an example, but we must never disarm and then wait for the other armed nations to act.”—Aua.N.Z. Cable Assn.