WASHINGTON HEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 December 1921, Page 5

WASHINGTON HEWS.

HOW THE PRESS WORKS. FREQUENT INTERVIEWS. SOME PEN PICTURES. (From the Special Representative of the Australian Press Assn.) Received Dec. 4, 5.5 p.m. Washington, Dec. 2. The Press arrangements at the Conference have now settled down in regular routine insofar as daily meetings of the various delegations are concerned. Borrowing a theatrical simile, the British representatives are always sure of a good house. Among them all Mr. Balfour is the Melba of the company. His meetings with the Press are always crowded, and it is thoroughly enjoyable to watch his urbane, graceful fencing with an awkward question, and the way he expands on a subject of minor importance. Lord Riddell, who is acting as liason officer, is also highly popular. The Americans delight in trying to score off him, which is extremely difficult, the odds being that he turns the trick against them. Mr. G. F. Pearce (Australia) is also appreciated, his direct way and clear exposition and his thorough frankness with all winning all praises. Of the Americans, Mr. Hughes is forceful and direct. His audience stands in a semi-circle and fires question after question at him. He answers them all, even if he only says: “I can’t say anything on that subject.” Usually, too, there is some humor present, the Secretary of State managing a witticism occasionally at the expense of importunate pressmen. President Harding holds bi-weekly meetings. Standing at a desk in White House, in the same way as Mr. Hughes, the President speaks slowly and quietly, with a curious sideways swing of the head. With him questions are not confined to Conference matters and range throughout American politics. Among the other delegations undoubtedly the most popular is Baron Kato. Speaking no English, and employing an interpreter, he knows everything that is said, and manifestly enjoys his half hour on the "grid”. Nothing is ever got from him that he does not desire to give out. There is some close fencing sometimes, and a good deal of laughter as Baron Kato extracts himself from a tight corner with diplomatic non-possums.

The Chinese delegates all speak perfect English. Some, being trained in American universities, are fully aware of American psychology. but their meetings are very serious affairs. They are deeply intent on their country’s future, and never miss an opportunity fpr propaganda, quite contrary to the Japanese. A clever French correspondent summed up the situation the other day when he said the two main dangers to the Conference were the silence of the Japanese and the loquacity of the Chinese.

The Italians hold daily meetings, chiefly for the fact that they have nothing to say, which they do at great length and with ingenuity. Their part in the Conference is so far unimportant. They are not concerned yet in the naval ratio question, and nothing in Far Eastern affairs touches them, so they are confined to an assurance that Italian co-operation will be given in all that concerns the peace of the world. The French hold very few meetings. They are chiefly remarkable for throwing monkey wrenches into the machinery of the Conference, as did their claim for a navy equal to that of Japan. The Dutch held one meeting, and Belgians none.