FRENCH OPINION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLI, Issue 9543, 23 June 1921, Page 5

FRENCH OPINION.

EMPIRE'S FOREIGN POLICY

PARIS, June *21. The Imperial Conference has aroused an interest m Paris equal to that displayed m the questions of Upper Silesia and the Rhine. French opinion considers that the Conference will modify the future, of the British Empire. The "Journal" says 'Mr Lloyd George's statement that the Dominions have equal rights of partnership, ..dignities, and responsibilities for the first time, betoken that the Dominions will formulate a common foreign policy. "As Canada has the right to have an Ambassador at Washington .doubtless the other Dominioins . frill 1 wish to. do the same. To-day the Dominions are willing to act m agreement with British policy, but af . fobbed 'Off iby ***am promises, there is a danger of a policy of separation, which may extend tp India, Egypt, and Ireland." The "Petit Journal" says: — "England is yielding, "but not losing prestige." The "Temps" considers that the limitation of armaments m .common with America is irreconoilable with the preservation of sea power. A great danger to the world is the weakness of China, which tempts the covetousness of the Powers. „.„„.,- v (Received June 23, 10.5 a.m.) V PifrttS, June 22. The "Petit Parisieri" referring io Anglo-Japanese relations, says if the alliance is renewed there will be a risk of annoying China, whose relations towards Japan are not as good as they might be. China does -not hide her desire to see the end of the Anglo-Japa-nese alliance. On the other hand a refusal to renew the alliance without having complaint against Japan wouia cause an Asiatic crisis of the. greatest gravity. It is hoped the British Dpminions will show political sense m this matter. j