APPROACH JAPAN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 264, 6 November 1937, Page 9

APPROACH JAPAN.

POWERS* PROPOSAL.

Plan Considered by Brussels Conference. DOMINIONS' USEFUL PAET. United Press Association.—Copyright (Received 12 noon.) BRUSSELS, November 5. The conference of signatories to the Nine-Power Treaty considered the draft letter of Dr. Spaak, Belgian Foreign Minister, who is presiding, which it is proposed to send to Japan. The letter emphasises that the conference is not under the auspices of the League of Nations and that Japan will be able to negotiate with a small body instead of the full conference. It rejects Japan's contention that the conference has no right to intervene, and sayß the conference notes the Japanese affirmation of her intention to respect what are the fundamental principles of the Nine-Power Treaty and deprecates the contention that China is subject to Communistic influence and pursues an anti-Japanese policy. Owing to divergence of views on Dr. Spaak's draft, it was decided that the delegates hand in their amendments for consideration to-morrow, and it agreed to leave the composition of a committee until the Japanese reply has been received. No progress was made with the appointment of a committee to approach Japan. It is reported that there was opposition to the inclusion of Italy on the ground that she is allied with Japan. Dr. Wellington Koo (China) offered temporarily to withdraw from the conference lest his presence should prove embarrassing, but Count Marescotti (Italy) urged that China remain and Dr. Spaak ruled that China should do so. The conference adjourned till tomorrow without reaching agreement. Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Portugal took an important part in to-day's discussions. They supported the British view. An official spokesman said that today's results were encouraging. The discussions were constructive and useful, and the Dominions' delegates were most helpful.