Taranaki Daily News. THURSDAY’. DECEMBER 8, 1921. A PROBLEM WISELY SOLVED.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 December 1921, Page 4

Taranaki Daily News. THURSDAY’. DECEMBER 8, 1921. A PROBLEM WISELY SOLVED.

The first fruits of the Washington Conference have burst upon the world with dramatic suddenness, all the more remarkable by reason of the' fact that the important agreement arrived at was not originally within the scope of the gathering, but was added because it had a direct bearing on the question of disarmament. The problem of the peace of the Pacific and the Far East presented, apparently, so many difficulties that the most which was hoped for was to soothe Japan and conciliate China by means of compromises that offered at least a temporary arrangement that might become the basis of a permanent agreement. Japan, while adopting a policy in favor of the limitation of armaments, has persistently claimed that the settlement of outstanding matters concerning the future of the Pacific and her relations with China, should precede action in the direction of the limitation of armaments, on the ground that until the former question had been disposed of satisfactorily she was unable to judge to what extent her armed forces should be extended or curtailed. China was practically in the same position, so that unless her integrity was guaranteed she also must have a free hand as to the extent, of her armaments. The amazingnature of the solution of this thorny problem centres on the action of the United States in departing from the principle which prevented America from joining the League of Nations—refusal to enter into a treaty concerning the safety and independence of other countries. Hence the announcement that President Harding has consented to submit to the Senate (which has the final decision in such matters) a tripartite treaty between Britain, America and Japan (it being understood that France can join therein should she

so desire) to preserve the status quo in the Pacific, to arrange for the peaceful settlement of disputes between the three Powers, to guarantee the integrity of China, and to jointly protect, the islands of the Pacific if attacked by any Power. Obviously such a covenant disposes of the need for the treaty alliance between Britain I and Japan; therefore the agreement provides for its abrogation. I ft may confidently be assumed that, in view of the rejection by the Senate of the proposals by exPresident Wilson in regard to the League of Nations, that President Harding has not launched this -tripartite agreement scheme without being assured that it will receive I the necessary confirmation by the requisite majority of the Senate, I in spite of its previous attitude. I The cabled messages from Washington certainly warrant this assumption, so that America may be considered to have initiated a new policy in order to secure peace in what has been forecasted as the storm centre of the next war. It may be that France will consider this policy might well be extended to secure her integrity, but there are many reasons why America is not likely to take the same view, the chief being that she is directly concerned as to the preservation of peace in the Pacific, and, is therefore justified in resorting to exceptional means Jo secure that end, while to guarantee protection to France if attacked is quite another matter, as the opposition ' of the Senate to the League Covenant conclusively proved.. A noteworthy coincidence is the announcement of this treaty agree-

ment at practically the same time as the cable from the Japanese Government to Baron Kato, instructing him to accept Mr.

Hughes’ naval ratio, “Japan being willing to make the sacrifice involved for the sake of peace in the Pacific.” Two such triumphs for the work of the Conference delegates afford ground for intense gratification, and it may ewen yet be. possible that the question of submarines will be satisfactorily settled. A conference that has solved ’such difficult problems as the Pacific, the Far East, and the naval ratio should not fail to deal with such an easy subject as submarines, and we do not despair of this matter being also made the subject of agreement. The conciliatory atmosphere of Washington is making history of a new kind, and the more completely the work is finished the greater will be the benefit to the world at large. So far very important gains to the cause of peace have been obtained, and this should be a trustworthy augury for the success of further efforts.