COUNCIL OF NATIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 November 1921, Page 5

COUNCIL OF NATIONS.

DELEGATES ASSEMBLING. IMPORTANT PROBLEMS. BIDDLE OF FAR EAST. AMBITIONS OF JAPAN. The approach of the opening of the Council of Nations at Washington is evidenced by the assembling of the delegates, the majority of whom have now arrived. The majority of the French, Japanese and Chinese delegates have been in America for some days, and now the British delegation, headed by Mr. A. J. Balfour, has reached Canada, en route to Washington. To-day’s cables emphasise the importance of the many problems that will be discussed—limitation of armaments, problems of the Far East. Pacific questions, reconstruction of China. By Tele.'jraph.—Press Assn—Copyright. London, Nov. 7. A special correspondent to the Washington Conference, referring to the greatness and complexity of the difficulties confronting the conference, says: The chief difficulty is not the Pacific problem, but the whole riddle of the Far East. Japan enters the conference fully convinced of the justice of her Far East claims. It is, that very conviction which may prove the stumbling block, because the Chinese and Japanese ideas of a just settlement differ most widely. If Japan succeeds in. pressing her views to the point of recognition the Chinese may withdraw, but this is anticipating a crisis which is not yet in sight. M. Hara was regarded in America as a brake on the Japanese military party, and it is doubted whether ani other moderate and equally able and forceful leader can be found to replace him, and it is feared his disappearance may profoundly modify the delegates’ policy in essence, though not in profession. The whole atmosphere of the coming conference is one of serious realisation of the obstacles ahead, co-mingled with the earnest and by no means forlorn hope of ultimate success. A vigorous campaign is in progress for open discussions.

Rumors from New York indicate the likelihood of Sinn Fein sympathisers coming to Washington to carry on propaganda designed to create complications. • AMBITIONS OF JAPAN. EXTENSION OF SUPREMACY. FEELING IN AMERICA. Washington. Nov. 3. The assassination of M. Hara has had a disturbing effect on American thought regarding the conference. It has deranged the expectations founded on the belief that M. Hara was of moderate tendencies and, on the as- . sumption that his influence might have prevailed over that commonly attributed to the Japanese military General Staff, it is thought possible the Japanese official attitude at the conference may be stiffened. Tn any case the crime is a sharp reminder that the success of the conference may depend less on the sayings and doings of statesmen than on the outcome of an obscure do- | mestie struggle in Japan. It is an understood fact that an im- | portant and, possibly predominant, secl tion of Japanese opinion holds that the moment is propitious for an attempt to extend and consolidate Japanese political and economic supremacy in the Far East. It believes that the strategic superiority on sea and land of Japan, already secured at great cost, should not- be compromised by the limitation of armaments or the internationalisation of control of the Western Pacific or Asiatic mainland. While the special position of Japan in North-Eastern Asia should be admitted without pedantry, it would he futile to forget" that there are limits beyond ‘ which neither the United States nor ' the other Pacific Powers can go to meet ■ Japanese wishes. Tn particular the 1 British Empire and France have almost I fundamentally identical view® and interests with'the United States there. I Moreover there is reason to believe 1 Japanese statesmen will understand : that a- pursuit of the aims attributed to the Japanese General Staff would antagonise the British Commonwealth of nations as inevitably and swiftly as the United States itself. The conviction is growing m many quarters that the more general appreciation of this truth there is in Japan, especially among the militarist section of opinion, the clearer will be the perception of the ultimate risk to Japan which an aggressive policy must invoh’e, and consequently the stronger will be the chances that the Washington Conference may succeed in securing peace i through hearty co-operation with Japanese statesmen on a footing of franK equality.

DEMAND FOR PUBLICITY. Washington, Nov. 8. The Senate adopted a resolution, moved by Senator Harrison requesting American delegates to use their mil ence to have representatives of the Press admitted to the Disarmament Conte - ence so that a complete record of the proceedings might be kept and tha voting be viva voce. . , A« orWnallv drafted. Mr. Harrisons motion protested against any form of censorship. When the motion was on a hot debate followed. Senator Lodge opposed the proposal as a breach of good manners. Senator Harrison then agreed to delete the latter portion. THE SECRETARY-GENERAL. Received Nov. 9, 8.15 p.m. New "\ork, Nov. 8. The New York Times’ Washington correspondent states that Mr. John Work Garrett, of Baltimore, will receive American nomination a® Secretary-General to the. Armament Conference. This, it is expected, will be approved. Mr. Garrett comes of a prominent Maryland family, and has served in various diplomatic posts, including Minister to Venezuela, Argentina, The Netherlands, and Luxemburg, and on many international commissions, including the inspection of German prison camps at the request of the French Government.—Aus. N.Z. Coble Assoto