PROGRESS TO PEACE.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 May 1922, Page 5

PROGRESS TO PEACE.

RESULTS AT WASHINGTON. JAPAN’S SINCERE POLICY. PACIFIC MENACE GONE. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received May 4, a.m. Sydney, May 3. Sir John Salmond (who represented Nerw Zealand at the Washington Conference), interviewed, eaid he regarded the achievements of the Washington Conference as nothing short of marvellous. He expressed a firm belief in Japan’s good faith and its honest desire for international welfare. The conception that Japan harbored treacherous plans of aggression was unfounded. The impression left on his mind was that she recognised her interests were inseparable from peace and she wanted peace honestly and sincerely. The Pacific problem had been practically settled at the conference and Japan’s attitude was a matter worthy of high commendation.

He described the dramatic moment when Mr. Charles Hughes (America’s Secretary for State) announced America’s proposed naval reduction policy, which caused an immense effect. Sir John Salmond said he believed the Washington Naval Treaty has put an end to insensate competition in naval armaments. The Anglo-Japanese Alliance had been successfully supplanted, and this removed America’s suspicions and made for a wider and more satisfactory scheme. However, naval defence in the Pacific had not become unnecessary. Australia and New Zealand should take a fair share of the maintenance of the British forces that would still be found necessary, but the policy of painting Japan bla-ck fostered a feeling opposite to that requisite for the maintenance of the goodwill of nations. It was unlikely that the Washington Conference would have any immediate

successors because of the completeness of the work done there. The results were a matter for profound satisfaction to all the Powers concerned, more especially Australasia, interested as it was in Pacific problems.—Aus.-N.2L Cable Assn.