THE CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 December 1921, Page 5

THE CONFERENCE.

A NOTE OF OPTIMISM. NAVAL SCHEME DEVELOPS. NEW PACIFIC ALLIANCE. (From the Special Representative of the Australian Press Assn.) Received Dec. 4 5.5 p.m. Washington, Dec. 2. Optimistic feelings as the result of the Conference are confirmed after talks with all the British delegates, including the oversea representatives. There is a feeling that Japan is holding otf definite acquiescence in the naval ratio until the position in the Far East is clearer. Both Britain and America sympathise, but certainly neither seems anxious to finalise the matter. Mr. A. J. Balfour (Britain) goes to New York to-morrow, so there is nothing likely to be done until the middle of next week. The fact of his departure is evidence that be anticipates no untoward developments, Japanese quarters admitted a desire of seeing the source of food supply and raw material in China protected definitely, meaning recognition of their special interests in Manchuria and elsewhere. It is possible the Japanese tactics may involve, first, the rejection of Mr- C. E. Hughes’ plan, followed by acceptance after a further parley. The optimistic note by the British delegation is reflected to-day in both administrative and Presidential circles of the United States. At White House the feeling was that things are going almost too well, considering the magnitude of the matters under discussion. President Harding offered warm compliments to the Press on the way in which they are dealing with the Conference. He said that if nothing else is the outcome. the Press had succeeded in establishing a state of mind throughout the land which was the finest reflex of the feelings of the Republic, <nd would have a profound effect on the peace of the world. IMPORTANT MEETINGS. Replying to a rumor that Britain is mediating between Japan and the United States, the highest official quarters scouted the idea. They said that far from arriving at a time for mediating, the "Big Three” are discussing topics arising from the reports of the experts. While it is inaccurate to say the "Big Three’’ actually met at a round table, it is understood that conversations are going on between Mr. Balfour and Admiral Kato, and J)fr. Balfour and Mr. Hughes, and Mr. Hughes and Admiral Kato, which to-day or to-morrow may resolve into a meeting together. It is understood that while the larger questions of land armaments was not discussed bj' the Conference, some phrases may be tabled before the conclusion. The matter of invfting other nations to share in the deliberations will be left to the Conference.

A rumor is current that Mr. Hughes intends throwing another bombshell at the Conference regarding Siberia, intending to ask the Powers to respect she territory and administr tive integrity in the same fashion as t’.ey noted 'he Powers were respecting China. In this connection an announcement was cade to-day that the Administration nt end® recommending the expenditure jf several millions in Russian relief. It was officially announced to-night :hat Mr. Balfour. Mr. Hughes and Admiral Kato met this afternoon and had an extended interview on the naval proposals, but no comment can be made. It is understood that Japan offered as i basis for discussion on Shantung their proposal of September last that the line be operated under the joint control of the Chinese and the Japanese. It is unofficially stated that the Japanese recognise that some measure of tariff reform is necessary, but it has not yet been found possible to suggest a considered scheme, in view of the great amount of their trade. A PACIFIC AGREEMENT. It is rumored that for reasons of domestic policy Japan would herself propose the abrogation of the Anglo-Jap-anese Alliance in favor of some agreement with other nations covering Far Eastern and Pacific questions, France being mentioned in addition to the United States and Britain. Japanese newspaper circles assert definitely that such an agreement is being formulated, declaring that representatives of the four Power* are meeting now, comprising Mr. Maurice Hankey for Britain, Mr. Fletcher for the United States. M. Ponsoot for France, and Mr, Daburi for Japan There will possibly be some delay in announcing an agreement on the naval ratio until Far Eastern matters are advanced to such a stage as would give Japan assistance regarding her position in the Far East. It is known that Admiral Kato sent an important dispatch to Tokio to-night, in which he said great progress had been made regarding a naval agreement, due to. the efforts of Mr. Balfour to convince Japan, that acquiescence is the right thing to do. SUBMARINES AND GAS. PROHIBITION DESIRED. Washington. De 3 1. The special representative of the Australian Press Associat on at the Conference learns that many of the British objections to submarines also apply poison gas and bombing planec. but one practical difficulty was that they could not abolish in peace time the manufacture of chemicals which in war could be turned to warlike purposes. Commercial aeroplanes were also usable in war, but -übmarines could not be turned to peaceful commercial account. Human nature was such that an agreement forbidding nations to use - •riwanne? against merchant ships • oubl not be enforced, and would not have as good an effect prohibiting submarines entirely. Although they could be speedily manufactured in war t me, trained crews would not be available. thus militating against their use as a weapon. It ba* been ascertained that the Bri-tb-ii view is that land armaments will not be finally considered at this Confercn e. because the greater number of armed nations is not represented. Several of those represented did not employ conscription. Until the conscrrptive nation* were adequately represented it would be difficult to settle the conscription problem., which is one of the greatest difficulties in conaecuon with land i-rmamenta.