THE CONFERENCE

Taranaki Daily News, 19 November 1921, Page 5

THE CONFERENCE

LIMITATION OF NAVIES. AN AGREEMENT LIKELY. FAR EAST PROBLEMS. Bs Tel^jrraph—Press Asso—Copyright Received Nov. 18, 9.35 pjn. Washington, Nov. 17. Fairly rapid progress seems likely towards t final agreement on disarmament, which will be ’turned and disposed of. V.’i b reference to a settlement of the •er Eastern complexities, it has been made •le*’- :?.i-officially from all three ddega:ion.-« ;hat it is obviously difficult to lay iu’. !. regarding the Far East such hard •nd fast rales as was possible on the concrete questions of the limitation of navies. The indications are that there will be a 'eneral gentleman s agreement, rather than t out diplomatic arrangements. Judging from the senu-offietal pronouncefier« the question of submarine tonnage •nd t e character of vessels is still affordng a fruitful subject for discussion. In the Di sarmament Committee opinions are !• ided as to whether the United States mail consent to a reduction of the total xmr.age though she may agree that submarines should be confined strictly to miliar, purposes, which means that individual re.*«c’-= will not need to be too large. It a known that a large body of Senators, header! by Senator Borah, are supporting th? British suggestion for the total eliminar or of submarines as a naval weapon. Britain’s view was further elucidated th .- morning by a declaration by a high authority that Britain was seeking a genuire reduction of the navy, and not a cheaper n which would be possible if submarir.es were substituted for battleships. *lne object m to stop war, not to change the method of waging it. ’foe sub-committee which was appointed to consider the procedure for the fuO committee’s discussion on Pacific and Far Eastern questions recommands that the delegates of the full committee be first given an opportunity for a general disFussion of questions relating to China. Then there should be a diacuanon of the various particular topics in the order listed on the American Government’s tentative agenda, with consideration of the Chinese delegation’s proposals under the topic to >hi«h each proposal relates. JAPAN AND THE NAVY. SOME COUNTER PROPOSALS. PROPORTION OF TONNAGE. “Received Nov. 18, 11.25 p.m. Washington, Nov. 17. t Official: Admiral Kato (Japan), because if the geographical position of Japan, Mem« it only fair that at the present time It her interested countries should agree hat she should maintain a proportion of ;cnerai tonnage slightly greater than the 10 Der cent, proposed in Mr. C. E. Hughes’ dan, and in a type of vessel strictly of defensive character, which does net inlode capital ships or submarines. Replying to questions during a Press interview Admiral Kato said he hoped that the conference would take up the question of the entire elimination of the submarine. Japan accepts the Chinese proposals as a of discussion, but had not yet studied hem n retail. A FLASH OF SUNLIGHT’ SEW outlook for world. Received Nov. 18, 8.5 pun. London. Nov. 17. Mr. Bon ar Law. speaking in London, said he Washington Conference was a flash of unkght. ft was the duty of all nations o wei ome it as the possibility of a new mtiooK on the whole history of the world.