DISARMAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 November 1921, Page 5

DISARMAMENT.

JAPAN IMPRESSED. SITUATION CLARIFIED. HER NAVAL POLICY. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Nov. 14, 9.50 p.m. Washington, Nov. 14. Admiral Kato, in an interview, stated: “Up to the present Japan has had fears which caused her to continue building, but the navy has always been meant for defensive purposes. It has never been the policy or intention of Japan to attempt to rival either of the two greatest navies of the world. “I am now happy to believe that whatever fears might have been entertained can well be dissipated by free and frank interchanges of views at the present conference. The public pronouncements by the Secretary for State at the inaugural session have clarified the situation, and in the meantime assurances from us are unnecessary. The great distance which lies between our shores and America, and the supremacy of the United States in wealth, size and resources, make needless any words we could pledge, and with the fears on both sides obliterated an agreement, so far as Japan is concerned, cannot fafl to come. It is with this view that Japan's delegation will proceed to a detailed examination of the American proposals, which show convincing sincerity of purpose.” SOME DIFFICULT PROBLEMS. The Japanese announcement that they are prepared to discuss disarmament, apart from the Far Eastern questions, created some puzzlement, though the attitude is logical enough. Japan’s position in the Pacific remains relatively the same if all three Powers reduce proportionately. They are certainly satisfied with that part of Mr. Hughes’ programme which is alreadyl becoming known as the “five-five-three I plan,” as describing the suggested tonnage proportion of the three Powers. Japan’s attitude towards the United States’ fortifications in the Pacific is more doubtful. It is known that some sections of public opinion there regard the strengthening of the Phillipines and Guam as threatening Japanese security. While members of the delegation refuse to discuss the matter, possibly the question will be used for bargaining that the real China shall consist of the original eighteen provinces, excluding Mongolia and Manchuria. She is prepared to go far to secure a settlement of the open door and other contingent problems, and towards guaranteeing the integrity of that China, but present indications are that she regards Manchuria quite differently. Admiral Kato already hinted at something to this effect when he told the Press yesterday that Japan was prepared to discuss disarmament independently of the other questions, provided that “Mr. Hughes does not raise questions bearing directly on the political situation in the Far East.”

The Australian Press Association has ► excellent grounds for stating that Japan will not raise the question of racial equality unless the attitude o£ the other members of the conference towards what she considers as matters of domestic policy forces her to use it as . a last resort. MR. HUGHES’ CARDS. Mr. Hughes’ sensational action in laying all his disarmament cards on the table yesterday is provoking much speculation as to whether Tuesday’s plenary meeting of the conference will find him also ready with a cut and dried plan for the settlement of all the Pacific problems. American sentiment, which is now acclaiming him and his proposals, is ready to believe this, but soberer observers prefer to think it likely he will rest on his laurels before venturing into the realms of the complexities surrounding the AngloJapanese alliance and China. Regarding the former, it is impossible to avoid the conviction that an immense body of American public opinion is antagonistic to its renewal, whereas Japan wants continuance, while Britain, in view of Japan’s attitude during the war, supports Japan. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. CHALLENGE TO NATIONS. REFUSAL MEANS WAR. A DIFFICULT SITUATION. Received Nov. 14, 7-40 p.m. London, Nov. 14. The Daily News’ Washington correspondent states that the refusal of America’s naval challenge by one or two nations to which it was addressed as certainly means war, as its acceptance means the initiation of a new and undreamed of era of hope. London and Tokio must speak, but a cautious note must be sounded. To launch, in the first hour of the conference, not merely principles, but a scheme elaborated in every detail, seems questionable statesmanship. What was wanted was not an American plan for reduction in each individual navy, but a conference plan. “I fear,” concludes the correspondent, “that a more difficult situation has been created,, than is quite realised.” —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE KING’S MESSAGE. London, Nov. 13. The King sent a message to President Harding:— “On the occasion of the opening of the International Conference at Washington I again send iny sincerest wishes for the success of its deliberations. The sympathy and goodwill of the whole British people will be with the conference in its labors for securing the maintenance of peace.” AUSTRALIAN LABOR MESSAGE. IMMEDIATE DISARMAMENT URGED. Received Nov. 14, 9.30 p.m. Melbourne, Nov. 14. The president-of the Australian Labor Party has despatched the following cable to President Harding, to be read at the disarmament conference: “Meetings of Australian citizens held in many districts carried a motion urging immeI diate disarmament of all nations, and settlement of disputes by international arbitration.”—Aus.-N»Z. Cable Assn,