THE FAR EAST.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 November 1921, Page 5

THE FAR EAST.

ANGLO-JAPANESE TREATY. WILL IT BE SCRAPPED? FORECAST OF, PROPOSALS, xsy Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Nov. 15, 8.15 p.m. Washington, Nov. 14. General public comment to-day emphasises the United States’ view that the AngloJapanese Treaty must be scrapped, and it is expected Canadian opinion will support this. One forecast of Mr. C. E. Hughes’ Far Eastern plan says the following principles will be enunciated: (1) All alliances will be abrogated. (2) All powers shall abandon their spheres of influence, the principle of the open-door policy to be absolutely accepted. (3) An international tribune will be constituted, at which all pending questions will be equitably adjusted. United States’ insistence on the open door in the Far East will have a reaction decidedly affecting Australia. Presumably it would apply to the C mandate islands. Japan might accept, provided all such islands are treated alike, involving an amendment to the Versailles Treaty and the abrogation of the imposement of the exclusion laws under the Australian and New Zealand mandates.

FAR EAST THE CRUX. SETTLEMENT MUST COME FIRST. PRELIMINARY TO DISARMING. Received Nov. 15, 9 p.m. London, Nov. 14. The Daily News’ Washington correspondent asks: Can guarantees of the faithful execution of the agreements reached by the conference be exacted? In any case, arguments regarding the details cannot obscure the dominant fact that America has flung before the world an arresting proposal, involving the voluntary acceptance of second naval place for the next decade. Britain and Japan are accepting the challenge, and no other State that may be called on for similar action could resist the moral pressure which the example of the three naval Powers will enable the world to apply. This is true, even though the obligations accepted by America, Britain and Japan are morally rather than legally binding.

That consideration is relevant, because it is doubtful whether Congress to-day could bind its successor for a decade. Hence the appointment of a committee to deal with the Eastern problem means the problem of the creation of political stability, particularly respecting China, which is more vital than disarmament, and will be faced in earnest. So far the bafflingly difficult relation of the AngloJapanese alliance to the whole question does not simplify matters. Fortunately it is fully realised, especially in British circles, that without a Far Eastern settlement armament reduction would become a mere matter of economic relief. The conclusion of a satisfactory Far Eastern agreement would alone create faith m the loyal execution of any armament pact.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. PLAN FOR AGREEMENT EXPECTED. CHINA’S CLAIMS. Washington, Nov. 14. A special representative says that after the breathlessness which followed the dramatic shock of Mr. Hughes’ speech the attention of publicists is turning unanimously to Eastern problems, which are the crux of the situation. Expectation is expressed in many quarters that Mr. Hughes wjll furnish a clear cut plan for a Far Eastern agreement. This is not, however, likely to receive such ready and substantial acceptance as the disarmament scheme, because of the complexity of the interests involved in the Far East. A Chinese delegate, interviewed, declared that Shantung must be restored to China, who must be permitted to re-establish authority in Manchuria and work the mines in Mongolia. The opendoor principle must act in China’s favor and not exclusively in favor of Foreign Powers. JAPANESE PRESS FAVORABLE. A GREAT SAVING. Tokio, Nov. 14. The Premier. Baron Takahashi, announced that the policies of the Japanese Government will not be changed under his administration. He indicated that the personnel of the Washington delegation will not be altered. The Japanese Press is generally favorable to Mr. Hughes’ programme, emphasising that it would mean a tremendous financial saving to Japan, but that the details must be carefully and cautiously worked out The anti-Government Kokumin and one or two other papers, insist that Japan should be permitted to have at least 12 capital ships. AUSTRALIAN DELEGATE SATISFIED. Washington, Nov. 14. Mr. Pearce (Australian representative), to-night expressed himself quite satisfied with the way in which the situation was developing regarding the British attitude. To-day will be a busy day for the delegation, who meet both separately and together to formulate details of the conduct of the conference.

It is understood the British attitude is mainly favorable, though possibly Britain’s special position regarding food supplies may induce some suggestion for a modification of the light cruiser tonnage, with a view to.the protection of trade routes. Mr. Hughes’ proposals at present necessitate a reduction of cruiser tannage proportionately with battleship tonnage, leaving Britain no margin for scouting and convoys, which other nations do not require in the same degree. Without provision for protecting the trade routes Britain would be reduced to starvation in the event of war, and Australia and Can-' ada be financially ruined, through inability to market tkeix jgroducU,