WASHINGTON CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 January 1922, Page 5

WASHINGTON CONFERENCE.

FRENCH MAKE TROUBLE. AND CAUSE DELAY. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright, Washington, Dec. 30. It is expected that the French will want to refer the second Root resolution to their Government, therefore it is possible that further discussion will be postponed until to-day. The subject of airplane carriers was taken up, also the limitation of the size of cruisers.

The Shantung matter lias reached a stage where the good offices of Mr. Hughes and Mr. Balfour are again necessary, though no formal request has yet been made.

The French are the stumbling block to the settlement of the Chinese tariff. Japan consented to raising it, but the French decline to agree so far as their Indo-China frontier is concerned. There are signs of the delegates generally accepting the recent Root declaration that the treaty is a treaty, in order to avoid discussion of the twenty-one demands. Japan is unlikely to be disturbed in her occupation of Port Arthur and Manchuria. Chinese organisations here are vigorously attacking Japan and have cabled to" Peking demanding a trade boycott of all Japanese goods and accusing Japan of blocking the way in every direction to the accomplishment of China’s aspirations. ADDING INSULT TO INJURY. Pairs, Dee. 30. The Matin, referring to the British Press comments on France’s attitude at Washington, says: “It is rather Strong that England, who reserved/to herself the monopoly of the maritime offensive after we had sacrificed half 1 our tonnage in capital ships, dares to accuse us of Imperialism, an England that refused us alliance and destroyed German warships.”

The Matin also refers to “the divine law that England should exercise her hegemony in Europe.”