SPIRIT OF JAPAN.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 December 1921, Page 5

SPIRIT OF JAPAN.

A POLICY FOR PEACE. NO PACIFIC DANGERS. FRIENDSHIP TO POWERS. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Dec. 18, 5.5 p.m. Washington, Dee. 16. Admiral Kato (head of .Japan’s delegation). made a statement to-day, in which he said the agreements which the several nations have reached will meet opposition only in a few unimportant quarters, and Japan as a whole will rejoice in them as completely, if not actually more heartily than any other country in the world. Unless the spirit of Japan was entirely in accordance with that of the other great nations that will participate in the naval treaty, this agreement could not have been reached. It had been reached substantially in the form in which it was proposed by the United States and after less than five weeks’ discussion. These extraordinary circumstances showed how unsound was any pessimism that prevailed before Mr. Hughes made his historic speech on November 12, and how unfair were charges of delay, in view of the fact that these drastic proposals came as a complete surprise to all other nations. Admiral Kato proceeded: “I may say tliat from day to day the proposals made by the Japanese delegation were supported by the Government and the people, who were determined that their country should not be one to prevent the agreement, or even to delay it beyond the barest necessity of time for adequate consideration. As I said before, we have never bargained. Our delegates at all times have received, as we strove to give, fair consideration. Our attitude at this Conference will, we hope, make futile any effort, such as has been made in the past, to present Japan in the aspect of a bellicose nation, and dangerous to peace in the Pacific. For our part I am glad to say I have obtained unquestionable evidence that Japan need have no fear of any hostile designs that woutcr menace her security from the West. This will be a most gratifying relief to us.” Admiral Kato added: "The co-opera-tion among the Powers, interested for the preservation of integrity, independence and administrative autonomy of China will not only gratify Japan, but will incalculably benefit China. In the past the blight of political controversy and conflict among the greater Powers rn China, while they have not been the cause of the present unfortunate conditions in that country, have not done good either to the Powers themselves or to China. China was now assured that she may proceed towards unification and reconstruction unhampered by any nations that associated themselves with the Root principles. The security of China is of vital interest to China and to no other country except China.

“We are confident we have come to an era which could not have been made possible without the leadership of the United States. Her remote position, power and prestige gave her a splendid opportunity, and her desire for justice enabled her to assume leadership. Only those who did not know Japan could have thought she would fail to follow.” —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

WAR CLOUDS DISAPPEAR. PACIFIC MENACE DISSOLVES. Received Dec. 18, 5.5 p.m. London, Dec. 16. Mr. Winston Churchill, addressing the English-Speaking Union, said that as the result of a bold and far-seeing proposition at the Disarmament Conference the great danger of naval competition between Britain and America, and of war in the Pacific had been effectively removed, and an arrangement made which would go far to secure the peaceful development of all the legitimate interests of the great Powers which bordered the Pacific. If there was also a satisfactory adjustment of the relations between Britain and Ireland there would be non? of those obstacles which in the past had confronted those who sought to bring into harmony the political, social and moral activities of the British and American communities.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. A DISCORDANT NOTE. A DISSATISFIED ELEMENT. Received Dee. 18, 5.5 p.m. New York, Dec. 17. The Chicago Tribune’s Tokio correspondent states a new group is being formed in the House of Peers, its purpose being the wrecking of the present Ministry. It is felt, the Washington Conference decisions to permit Japan to. retain the Mutsu makes M. Takahasmi’s defeat in the Lower House impossible. The Peers’ group is almost strong enough to defeat the Budget. It is determined to drive out'the Cabinet and form a more aggressive one. The feeling is that Japan has suffered too much loss of prestige. The Peers’ action, however, cannot affect the Washingt ?;i agreements, as the Privy Council assured support. NAVAL BUILDING .STOPPED. YARDS SUSPEND WORK. Received Dec. 18, 5.5 p.m. Tokio, Dec. 16. The supor Dreadnought Tosa will be launched, on Sunday and its completion is expected according to Japan’s original plans for naval construction. The unemployment situation is becoming very serious. Many shipyards, acting on their own authority, suspended all work.