ARMAMENTS CONGRESS

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 225, 21 September 1921, Page 5

ARMAMENTS CONGRESS

DRAWING UP THE AGENDA. EQUALITY IN THE PACIFIC. (By Cable.— Fress Association.—Copyrisht.) XEW YORK, September 20. The correspondent of the "Chicago Tribune" at Tokyo telegraphs that an apparently well-founded impression prevails in official circles that the Japanese Government has accepted all the American suggestions for the agenda of tho armaments conference, and that a favourable reply is bcin gdrafted. Tlie "I-iochi Shimbtin" states "that the Japanese delegates will be instructed to advance the principle of mutual recognition of freedom of commerce and residence in the Pacific area with a view to establishing the principle of freedom and equality among Pacific peoples. Viscount Kato, the president of the Opposition party, has issued a statement declaring that Japan should insist on discussing at the Washington conference, not only Far Eastern questions, but matters affecting the American coast, Mexico, and Australia. The National Policy Investigation Association wants discussion on the withdrawal of fortifications from all Pacific islands, the neutralisation of the Panama Canal, the removal of coastwise trade limitations throughout the world, and the settlement of the. question of racial discrimination—(A. and X.Z.) STEP TO LASTING PEACE. HONOLULU, September 20. Mr. W. F. Massey, in an interview here, said that nn agreement between the United States, Uritain, and Japan would be the best arrangement in the interests of the world. He hoped that such an agreement would be attained at the armaments conference, since it would settle Pacific problems for some time at least, and would be a great step to lasting peace.— (A. and X.Z. Cable.) RUSSIA'S INTERESTS. WASHINGTON, September 20. The Secretary of State (Mr. C. E. Hughes) lias replied to a request from the Far Eastern Government of Siberia. to be admitted to the Washington conference, 'that in the absence of a single recognised Russian Government the protection of legitimate Russian interests must devolve as a moral trusteeship upon the whole conference. It is inconceivable that the conference will make decisions prejudicial to legitimate Ruesian interests.—(A. and N.Z. Cable.)