WASHINGTON CONFERENCE.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17272, 10 October 1921, Page 7

WASHINGTON CONFERENCE.

REPRESENTATION OF

DOMINIONS.

attitude or ameeioan

GOVERNMENT

(By Pre« Association.—Copyright.) (AiNtraHan u>d N.Z. C«o!« Anocifttion.) WASHINGTON, October 7.

The State Department says the Government is gratified that the British Dominions, will bo represented at the Washington Conference. It states that the American Government has tried throughout the negotiations to make it possibl© for the British Dominions to bo represented. The '(Jnited States could not directly suggest to the British Government that the Dominions should be represented, because the question was no official concern of this country, but the American Government did suggest that the British delegation should number from five to seven, with a view to allowing sufficient room for Dominion representation. The State Department denies that America has slammed the door against the representation of Australia or any other Pacific Dominion, as Mr Hughes is said to have alleged in the Australian Parliament.

LONDON, October 7

The political correspondent of the "Mornim; Post" saya Mr Hughes's disclosure of Mr Lloyd George's message to tha British Ambassador at Washington is somewhat resented at Downing Street. The message was purely Mr Lloyd George's own view, and up to the present no appointments have been made to the British delegation. - The only certain thing is that Mr Balfour will be one representative if liis health pormits, but it is understood that Mr Balfour has not yet replied to the invitation. Probably Sir Robert Borden, formerly Prime Minister of Canada, will be invited to join the delegaton. and also the Hon. V. S. Srinavasa Sastri, representing India.

NEW ZEALAND'S REPRESENTATIVE. (SPBCIAJJ TO "THE PS*SS.") WELLINGTON, October 9.

Yesterday's "New Zealand Times" announced that the general opinion in political circles is that .Now Zealand will be directly represented at the Washington Conference, and that if this course is decided upon, there is very" little donbt .that the choice will fall upon Sir Francis Bell, the Leader of the Legislative Council." The same paper hints that possibly the choice of a leader of the Council to take Sir Franciß Bell's position may provide some surprise. I' learn, Wwever, that there is no foundation for such statements. Sir Francis Bell will nqt go to Washington, and therefore it will not bo necessary to appoint a leader in his place. There is a strenuous time ahead of Parliament during the present session, and it is quite out of the question that.Sir Francis can be sparred from the pbsition he is at present occupying. It is possible that the Frime Minister will make a statement as to New Zealand's representation early next week.

A rSBNCH VIEW. .

(Received October 9th, 5-5 p.th.} PARIS, October 8.

The "Depecbe ~de Toulouse," commenting oil" the Washington ConferettoO, says real disarmament is it»po&sible unless Ortfet Britain aiid America fulfil their unratified promise to assist France in the event of unprovoked German, aggression.

"AMBims Aito Extitristd«rs. M

LONDON . October 7

Replying to- the <'Daily Chronicle," tiie "Daily Express" justified its ancles regarding the • Pacifio on the ground that <l the public is entitled to know what every steteismaa, banker, and diclomatist of the world knt>ws. The era of secret diplomacy has. ended. The best hope of promoting peace at Washington is to warn Democracy, who must pay for the errors of the diplomatists, that the edge of the precipice is near."

(Received October. 9th, 11.5 pim.) > TOKYO, October 8. General Leonard Wood, GovernorGeneral of the Philippine Islands, addressed the Americ&Japan Society. He declared there had been a great deal of loose, and foolish talk about trouble between America and Japan. So was oertain there was no desire on the part of the American people to dwell in anything but the most friendly .relations with Japan.

"Our two flags," he said, "stood together on the battlefield, and will air ways stand together on the side of right; Our relations are not strained. The going will always be good. Americans want to build up their trade and commerce, but they welcome fair, Open competition." He was sure the Japan-ese-would ask only the same. It would be a terrible rdlection on modern civilisation if two peoples -like Japan and America could! not get together around the conference board and settle their difficulties.

JAPANESE PROPOSALS.

(Received October 9th, 11.0 p.m.) TOKYO, October 8. According to the newspaper "Asabi Shimbun," Japan means to demand eqnal commercial opportunities in Australia at the Washington conferenceShe also intends to ask for a discussion of the dispute between France and Japan, involving customs payments in French Indo-China. It is learned that Japanese negotiations with China have reached a deadlock and that 'Japanese troops are likely to remain in Siberia.

AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

(Received October 9th, midnight.) ' WASHINGTON. October 9, Mr Samuel Gompers, president of American Federation of Labour,

announces the formation of an advisory committee consisting of 100 prominent American men and women. The stated object of the committee is to aid and crystallise public opinion regarding the great issues before the conference and to concentrate and focus this opinion on the conference in a spirit that will not obstruct its labours but 1 help them to a successful conclusion, urging that its session shall continue until some of the menacing war clouds gre removed and a radical reduction in armaments is accomplished.