NAVAL POLICY.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 September 1921, Page 5

NAVAL POLICY.

PROPOSALS BY JAPAN. ALL POWERS EQUAL, NO SEPARATE ACTION. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Sept. 14, 11.10 p.m. Tokio, Sept. 13. The Asahi Shimbun says the Foreign Office naval and military experts have decided the ground principles of naval limitation to which Japan can agree—namely, that Japan will neither suspend previously arranged building programmes, nor reduce I the strength of the navy independently. 1 Japan believes it is against the fundamental spirit of the armament conference that any Power should possess superior forces sufficient to obtain victory over any Power or Powers. The Powers, therefore, should reduce armaments to the same degree as the country having the smallest naval strength among the Powers concerned. The latter should not e. tablish any naval base in the Pacific. The Asahi Shimbun adds that it has also been decided that the present building programme should be extended over a longer number of years than was originally contemplated. The League of Nations Association of Japan has issued a statement endorsing the armament conference, and asking the League of Nations Associations in various countries to endorse the movement, expressing the desire for a complete understanding among the Powers on Far Eastern questions. A strong international organisation is needed to back up the reduction in armaments, and the conference may result in the League being recognised by all nations.

QUESTION OF PUBLICITY. ARRANGING FACILITIES. | Received Sept. 14, 10.30 p.m. Washington, Sept. 13. A council of fourteen Washington correspondents has been formed to advise and assist the Government officials in arranging publicity facilities regarding the Armament Conference. They will consult shortly with Mr. C. E. Hughes (Secretary of State) and President Harding, concerning the allotment of Press space, housing, entertainment and credentials of visiting correspondents. NECESSITY TO DISARM. AMERICAN DELEGATE’S VIEW. Received Sept. 14, 8.30 p.m. New York, Sept. 13. According to messages from Alabama Mr. Underwood has announced his acceptance of appointment as a delegate to the armament conference. He personally favors publicity at the conference, but must abide by the delegates’ decision. He believes that the biggest task will be convincing foreign countries of the effectiveness of and necessity for an agreement to disarm, and he is hopeful of such an agreement, which he believed will have an immediate favorable reaction on the economic world.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.