PACIFIC PEACE

Taranaki Daily News, 13 December 1921, Page 5

PACIFIC PEACE

FOUR-POWER TREATY. AGREEMENT WELCOMED. STEP TOWARDS STABILITY, NEW ERA OF PEACE. The treaty between Great Britain, the United SutM, France and Japan t» Mcure peace in the Pacific is welcomed by the Preu of all the nations concerned, and is regarded ip a factor of the first moment in the consolidation of the stability of the world. The treaty has been initialled by the representatives of the Powers, and it will be signed shortly. A naval agreement of unparalleled importance is expected to follow shortly. A remarkable account of the Saturday's sitting of the Washington Conference appears on page 7. Tel<rat>b.— Free* Assa.—Copyrift:. Received Qee. 12, 53 pan. London, Dec. 12. The Daily News special Washington correspondent at Washington states that the importance of the new Pacific agreement is noviouaiy beyond the proportion of its actual contents. The Pacific Islands are not then,selves the acute casus belli, but the fact of a formal agreement between the United States, Britain. France and Japan about anything earthly is a factor of the first moment in the consolidation of world • lability. The delegates will probably remain until the end of December, but it is not clear whether the treaty will be laid before the Senate immediately or deferred until other agreements are ready for submission. An interesting suggestion has been made that Mr. Lloyd George and M. Bn and (Premier of France i should depart together for America immediately on the termination of their conversations regarding reparations and the Near Eastern problem, regarding which M. Briand visits Mr. Lloyd George on December 14. Certain Ministerialists believe that President Harding is inviting the two Premiers to participate in a new conference between all the Power? to discuss the world’s economic position. The newspapers unanimously eulogise the Washington pact, especially paying tribute to Mr. A. J. Balfour. The Morning Post says the Pacific Treaty wiH ultimately be connected with another agreement concerning the (imitation of naval armaments. In framing these treaties the distinguished plenipotentiaries at the Washington Confrrenee have shown themselves great statesmen to Emir armaments without an agreement on policy. It would have been fantastic and dangerous to have reached an agreement on policy and at the same tune given free play to the armament race. The Daily Chronicle says it is possible to regard the Conference as ending for the present the evil prospect of a Pacific armament race, and also placing Pacific affairs on a satisfactory footing with mutual consultation, recognition and guarantee. The Empire, including Australia and New Zealand, has most varied its vulnerable interests in the Pacific, and will be an immense gainer by the elimination of military rivalry in that vast region. The Daily Telegraph's Washington correspondent states that the announcement, like the Irish agreement, sent round the world a thrill of joy and hope, confirming the general sense that a new spirit has been entered into in ordering the world’s affairs. The Conference has a splendid success to its credit, and undoubtedly will soon have another in the final agreement upon the formula for the limitation of naval armaments.

According to newspaper opinions the automatic expiration of the Anglo-Japanese Treaty when the Four-Power Pact is formally ratified is an ideal solution of the problem, which would have to be faced eventually. The Conference has achieved few better strokes of diplomacy. The sole weakness is that it does not guarantee the integrity of China; also there are reservations to be considered regarding the United States and Japan concerning Yap. INITIALLED BY THE POWERS. THE QUESTION OF MANDATES. POSITION OF AMERICA. Received Dec. 12> 5J> p.m. Washington, Dec. 10. It is understood the treaty ha? already been initialled by afl the parties, and will be signed when the questions of Yap and the mandated islands are settled.' The American spokesman explained that the United States was not competent to interfere in the question of the C mandate islands south of the line, inasmuch as it was not a signatory to the Versailles Treaty, but had suggested to the Powers that certain clauses should be incorporated in the mandates. The United States was anxious that the Four Powers Pact, while maintaining rights, should not create rights. It was indicated by Senator Lodge that refer Ace to these matters was made after full consideration and acquiescence by the Powers affected. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. PASSING OF MILITARISM. JAPAN’S POLICY DECLARED. Received Dec. 12, 10 p.m. Washington, Dec. 12. M. Tokugawa, in a remarkable speech to-night before the Federal Council of Churches, declared that militarism was a thing of the past, and the policy of military aggression and rivalry had gone. Japan was ready to walk abreast of the world in a new spirit of international goodwill, understanding and co-operation. It is authoritatively stated that Japan may offer to turn over the Shantung railway to China, leaving financial matters for settlement by the commission; otherwise the good offices of Britain and the United States will be invoked. Mr. Tumulty, ex-President Wilson’s right-hand man, in a signed interview, supports the treaty and applauds the Harding Administration for falling into line with the rest of the world in the matter of international co-operation. OPINION IN FRANCE. TREATY BENEFITS BRITAIN. Received Dec. 12, 7.25 p.m. Paris, Dec. 12. j-e Tempe declares that the Four-Power agreement greatly benefits Britain, as she will sever the Japanese Alliance without creaking with Japan, and draw closer to the United States without loosening the bonds which bind the British Empire together internally.—Aua.-NJZ. Cabi* Awn.