PACIFIC TREATY.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 December 1921, Page 5

PACIFIC TREATY.

FOUR-POWER AGREEMENT. PRESENT ALLIANCE CEASES. A FAR-REACHING PACT. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Washington, Dec. 7. The Associated Press announce that a four Power agreement is being considered. It is officially learned that it would be an agreement for joint consultation on matters affecting those nations in the Pacific and not an alliance or technical entente. The agreement is in process of being reduced to treaty form and, if accepted, will be submitted to the Senate. The proposed undertaking will cancel the Anglo-Japanese Alliance. Proposals have gone to Japan for the renunciation of that alliance if the new agreement should be consummated Received Dec. 9. 5.5 p.m. Washington. Dec. 8. Semi-official confirmation of the details cabled during the last few days is obtainable to-day. The British spokesman indicated that the Japanese Government’s Pacific proposals include some form of sifbstitution for the AngloJapanese Alliance, but the naval ratio has not yet been finally, decided, though there is every indication of a favorable decision. The proposals to’ be submitted to Japan’ will be divided under three heads: (1) Anglo-Japanese Alliance and Pacific problems: (2) naval ratio; (3) naval bases and fortifications. China is being dealt with separately regarding the third. Some arrangements may be made to maintain the status quo in the Pacific. Describing the character of the arrangement, the spokesman said it would probably take the form of a cooling off agreement, providing for delay and discussion over a period in cases where differences of opinion occur.

WAITING FOR JAPAN. THE. INCLUSION OF FRANCE. TREATY- TO GO TO SENATE. Received Dec. 9, 9.40 p.m. Washington, Dec. 8. Tt is doubtful whether the Conference has officially received the Japanese notification yet, and is awaiting a fnll Japanese agreement ofi All riiatters, including the naval ratio, before announcing the decision. It is also indicated an arrangement, of whatever nature, will be between four Powers, inchiding Franee. One well informed source, sAJ’s it will bo STTbYTiittFll tb’tTie Senate, suggesting’ treaty form. A careful canvass' of that body shows there is no substantial opposition to naval disarmament. but there is likely to be -ume to a Far Eastern agreement if it provides for an offensive affiance, or is unsAtisfActory to China regarding Pacific problems. , The opposition is not s.q strong, owingto the tact that the Yap controversy is out of the way.

The Australian Association has no further vcnrfirinntion of the Press-, statement regarding a treaty, except that France lias how accepted'a definite •invitation to become ft Signatory, and a>bicl® four has been altered to provide for the abrogation of the AhgtoJapaweSe Alliance; cbffditiofid’l o h the treaty being ratified according to constitutional inefhpds by the signatory Powers. This meams that the Senate will have the treaty submitted to them. President Harding is reported t<s be coirtkhmt that he can catTV the SehMe.

The Australian Press Association learns on the best authority that it is probable ft plFhafV SesSToti will fie called for Saturday -in order to sign the treaty between the four “PbWef§ dealing With the Pftciffd afid Far Eastern problems. The treaty consists of four classes, as already indicated,, guaranteeing territorial integrity and the maintenance of a status quo, mediation -and arbitration, and the abrogation of the AiTgfG-JftpafieSe AHiflficC. Whch thetreaty ha*B beefi realised c.Qnslitufaonally by Hie fbur Towers signing it it will give the greatest impetus to the naval ratio and other matters outstanding at the Conference) a settlement of which is expected to proceed without delay. Japan, Writh siTch ft ftfefttV being assured her, will be much readier to agree to tl 3 five-ffve-three . ratio.

■Some reports say the treaty has already been signed, and the plenary session will only be held for the purpose of making a -public annouttceffieht. It is stated the period of the treaty* is ten years. The Japanese delegation persist 'in say’ing there has been nothing from Tok io yet regarding the naval ratio, .but it. is believed they are -withholding information until the Far Eastern twat»y -is -ttecompMslicd. Tlt’C .TftpUhese Government expect to retain Saffhalien as a guarafitoe fof the indemnity in connection with the Nikplaves.k massacre until the establishment of a stable. All-RiwCsiah Government. This will be Japan’s position when tne Conference reaches consideration. JAPAN’S NAVY. CAPITAL SHIP QUESTION POLICY OF ABOLITION. Received Dec 0, 3.5 p.m. Tbkio. Dee. 8. The destroyer Hachisu, the building •of which was started in Fcbtual’y, Was launched at the Wiaga dock this rnorhIhg. The keel bf the liglit cruiser Abskumagawa was immediately laid. Viscount Kato, leader of the Opposition. arinouheed the advocacy of a policy ot aholitiog of alj capital ships of all navies. This indicates how popular the limitation proposals are in Japan, with (he Opposition out-bidding the Government.