THE CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 December 1921, Page 5

THE CONFERENCE.

THE XEW LEAGUE. NAVAL PROPOSALS. QUESTION OF THE RATIO. x From the Special Representative of the Australian Press Assn.) Received Nov. 30, &5 p.m. Washington, Nov. 29. President Harding further referred to the scheme of the Association of Nations today. He said he did not expect the matter to be discussed at this conference, which already had more than enough to do. Things were going on rapidly there, and the delegates were overcrowded. The difficulty was to keep pace with the problems for consideration. He added that the world would be greatly disappointed if some arrangement looking towards such an association was not the outcome of the Conference. It would not be designed to foster any rivalry, or to have an undermining agency as regards the League of Nations. It would be nothing but putting expression to the United States’ aspirations and finding a way to accomplish the same. President Harding reiterated that the League was in no way involved. * It was" reported to-day that France was readv with a plan for naval disarmament in relation to the Italian fleet. Italy also announces that though she has already reduced her navy «he is ready for further reduct to;: ■ if compatible with national se■Jurging by authoritative comment in American circles to-day, the United States intends to stand firmly to their ratio. The highest quarters outlined a series of formulae empoyed in determining the five-five-tbree basis, showing that under every test applied under the various methods of computing tonnage Japan was very liberally treated in fixing her ratio, the proportion compared with the United States varying from as low as 100 to 45 to as high as 100 to 60. This latter ratio was accepted by the United States, and it was thought a very generous offer, the American experts figuring ten to five more accurate. The Japanese suggestion of a ratio of ten to seven is regarded as most extravagant. The Japanese were not to be drawn to-day on the development of the arguments of experts regarding rhe ratio. M. Tukogawa declared that nothing had been decided yet. There is no indication whatever that they intend to insist on a ten-ten-?evan ratio. Some of their experts are declaring publicly that Japan should have this ratio, but at to-night's Press meeting M. Tukogawa explicitly stated that these views were not those of the delegation. Asked about the attitude on extra territoriality, M. Tukcgawa stated that Japan was most anxious to he friends with China, and intended to abolish the system of foreign troops in China as soon as possible. The American attitude towards interference with, their suggested ratio has further stiffened. It was stated authoritatively tonight that any rejection of the ratio proposed in the Bill will be viewed with much concern, as indicating that there is no genuine desire for an understanding. Though Japan asked for a postponement of today's expert conference, everything points towards their acceptance of the United States’ ratio formula, especially as the British fully support the American view in this matter. It would not be surprising if the Japanese acceptance were announced at a plenary session early next week. It is understood that the Far Eastern Committee to-day gave informal acquiescence to the principle of the withdrawal of ioreign troop? from China.

THE CLAIMS OF CHINA. A COMMISSION APPOINTED. QUESTIONS FOR DECISION. Received Nov. 30, 5.5 p.m. Washington, Nov. 29. It i« officially announced that the following resolutions regarding extra territoriality were adopted at to-day’s Far Eastern session: The Governments of the eight powers sitting in conference shall establish a commiasion of one member each to inquire into the present practice of extra territoriality, and the laws, judicial system and administration of China, with a view to reporting the findings and facts thereon and recommending such means as they may find suitable to improve the existing conditions of Chinese justice, and assist the efforts of China to effect such legislation and judicial reforms as shall warrant the seseral powers in relinquishing progressively or otherwise their respective rights of territoriality. The commision to be instructed to submit a report and recommendations within a year after its first meeting. Each of the powers named shall oe free to accept or reject ail or any portion of the recommendations of the commission, but not to make acceptance of such recommendations directly or indirectly dependent on China’s granting any official concession, favor, benefit or immunity, pofiticai or economic. Provision will also be made for the acceptance of the findings of the commission by the nonsignatory powers. China expresses its satisfaction with the above resolution, and declares its intention to appoint a representative to the commission with the right to sit as a member, it being understood that China will have the right to accept or reject all or any recommendation of the commission. China is prepared to co-operate in every way with the commission, and afford it every facilMr. Sae made a statement protesting against the maintenance of Chinese territory without Chinese consent and against her protests of foreign troops, railway guards, police boxes, electrical wire and wireless communication installations, and asks for. a declaration from the Conference powers that none shall maintain any of the foregoing unless it can prove conclusively that it has a right to do so under the accepted basis of international law. and that any such now existing upon the soil of China shall be immediately withdrawn. China also submitted data show- ) ing the disposition of numbers of foreign troops, especially Japanese, in China and Manchuria, the position of wireless station*. etc Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. VALUABLE PROGRESS. SPEECH BY LORD BEATTY. Received Nov. 30. 7.55 p.m. New York, Nov. 29. Lord Beatty was fare we lied by the Lawyers’ Chib. In a speech he said: ‘The very fact that I am here to-day as the professional head of the British Navy indicates that our relationship is so good and w» have arrived at something so marked and so valuable that I am able to quit. I : can assure you there is no friction, of any j kind in anything that has been done. We who have served in the great war feel that whatever our duties regarding the navy are we have a higher and greater duty to civilisation.”