THE CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 November 1921, Page 5

THE CONFERENCE.

NAVAL DISARMAMENT, PROGRESS OF DISCUSSION. FAR EASTERN AFFAIRS. XFrcm Special Representative of the Australian Press Association.) Received Nov. 29, 9.5 p.m. Washington, Nov. 28. To-day’s proceedings of the Far Eastern Committee opened with a full and specific denial by Mr. C. E. Hughes, as chairman, that M. Briand (Premier of Prance l ever said anything offensive respecting the Italian army, >- alleged by French correspondents, which was the cause of anti-French riots in an Italian town. M. Viviani (France) and Signor Schanzer (Italy) thanked the chairman for his authoritative denial*, which both endorsed fully. An American semi-official spokesman expressed the hope to-day that naval disarmament would be very speedily dealt with. It was rapidly approaching a point where no questions of fact remained. and which brought the conference to questions of principle. He had not yet seen* any reason to depart from the United States’ basis of calculations. <>n which the five-five-three formula was founded. The examination byexperts demonstrated the exactness of the United States' conclusions. Questioned regarding the Japanese battleship Mutsu. his answer was guarded. He pointed out that the calculations were made on the basis of ships built and building as the foundation of the existing strength, and fixing the ratio did not mean scrapping thia ship or that ship. Th? problem was to find what sacrifice the fixing of the ratio would entail. He emphas-sed anew that the most friendly spirit of co-operation prevailed among ail attending the conference.

The Japanese refuse to commit themselves on the Mutsu question. They say the matter is still in the hands of experts, who have not yet made a final report. It is very difficult to say when conclusions will reach finality. It would seem they have not abandoned hope o? saving her.

It is officially stated the Far Eastern Committee unanimously adopted a sub-committee’s report on foreign post offices in China, providing for their abandonment, subject to the establishment of an efficient Chinese service and ar assurance from the Government that they contemplate no change in the present postal administration in so far as the status of a foreign co-director is concerned. The dal? of the enforcement and abandonment has been fixed. There will be a public an no? intern ent in the near future a* t«» which Powers will undertake to afford the Chinese Customs authorities an opportunity to examine all postal matter, except ordinary letter*, with a view to the discovery of dutiable or contraband articles. A statement has been received from the Chinese asking for the removal of unsanctioned establishments, such as foreign troops and police and telegraph wireless stations.

Friends of Irish Freedom, a Sinn Fein organisation, ha* come into the open with a circular opposing the disarmament conference because thereby the United States is playing into the hands of Britain. The circular is largely devoted to hostile reference to the conference. Another active propaganda organisation here is the Friend* of India Council, ostensibly pleading the cause of the Indian non-co-operators. but It is interesting to note that many of the names on the directorate of the latter are such as Frank P. Walsh, who is prominent in Sinn Fein councils in America.

It is understood the Japanese have indicated their willingness to withdraw their troop* from the Shantung province, including Kiauchau, as soon as China has organised a proper police force and assumed responsibility for guarding the Shantung railway. GOOD PROGRESS MADE. Washington, Nov. 28. Regarding rumors that little progress is being made, a high authority states th#t the British, American and Japanese delegates are most optimistic as to :he results, and most satisfied with the progress mad?. Japanese quarters definitely predict & settlement of all the major problem* jf disarmament in the Far East before Jhrutmas. The report of the armament committee Will probably be presented to the •.-inference at next week s plenary sesiinn. The British delegation has not receiv’d any advice from London regarding Mr. Lloyd Gorge’.* visit. Although French circles accept President Harding's proposals in principle it is not likely they will agree to meet Germany at the ?ouncil table unless the Litter given a definite undertaking for the payment of reparations or arranges for some guarantee. It was indicated to-day in both Japanese and Chinese circles that the Shanrung queetion will be settled outside the conference. * cfnina is now unofficially indicating that her delegation is prepared to agree to the consortium with certain modifications. removing or specifically defining the major objections, such as the recoglition of Japan's special interests in Manchuria and Mongolia, the granting of international control of railways and giving the financial group under the lonsortium a practical monopoly in *&ising loans.