THE NINE-POWER CONFERENCE

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22242, 5 November 1937, Page 11

THE NINE-POWER CONFERENCE

OPENING SESSION IN BRUSSELS DELEGATES EXPRESS VIEWS ON CONFLICT OmiTlSn OFFICIAL WIRELESS.) (Received November 4, 11.30 a.m.) RUGBY, November 3. The Nine-Power Conference on the dispute between Japan and China opened in Brussels to-day, M. Paul Spaak (Belgium) presiding over representatives of 19 nations. M. Spaak said that Japan’s refusal to attend made the task of the conference more difficult, but he must emphasise the conference was not a tribunal before which Japan could be hailed as a culprit.' “Our aim, if possible, is to halt war and reestablish peace, because I think that there is nothing in the world worth going to war for,” he added. “We should think, not only of the soldiers, but also of the women and children.” Mr Norman Davis (United States) declarfed that the hostilities in the Far East were of serious concern not only to Japan and China but to the entire world, for peace, which was once envisaged only by idealists, had become a matter of vital self-inter-est to every nation. “There should be no place for a resott to arms in an orderly and prosperous world,” continued Mr Davis. “We are here with a common concern and a common purpose, and our efforts to deal with the situation must be constructive. It is indispensable that an equitable adjustment be found.

“Come With No Commitments” “We have come to this conference with no commitments except those to treaty provisions and to the principles which the Government of the United States has repeatedly and emphatically affirmed. The Government of the United States is prepared to share in the common effort to devise, within the scope of these treaty provisions and principles, a means of finding a pacific solution which will provide for terminating the hostilities in the Far East and for restoring peace in that area. Mr Eden (Britain) said that the British Government was in full agreement with every word spoken by Mr Davis. The British Government was prepared to offer the very fullest collaboration to promote the success of the conference.' M. Delbos (France) declared that there was an imperious need to end the conflict on humanitarian grounds on account of the atrocities which were piling up in the Far East. No ore was safe from the extension of the conflict. The conference should make an effort to induce China and Japan to lay down their arms and enter into friendly negotiations.

“Realities Must Be Faced” Count Marescotti (Italy) said that the conference could not quarantine Japan. Only the parties concerned in the position could eliminate the underlying causes of the conflict. Discussions were useless in the absence of Japan. Resolutions merely showed how powerless were the countries attending conferences. The Fascist Government must make every reservation regarding the results of the conference, which, however amiable in its methods and means, could only end in platonic resolutions and sterility if realities were ignored. The only useful thing the conference could do was to attempt to bring China and Japan into direct contact. China's case was advanced by Dr Wellington Koo, who said; “We desire peace, but we know it cannot be obtained in the presence of Japanese aggression. We are determined to continue our resistance as long as this aggression persists. It' is only by accepting peace based on the principles of Article I of the Nine-Power Treaty that China, by her tremendous sacrifice, will be contributing to the cause of law and order in relations between the nations.” Dr, "Koo regretted that Japan had refused to join the discussion. If Japan had a case, and a clear conscience, he said, she need have no apprehension about receiving a just hearing. M. Litvinov (Russia) strongly endorsed ■ the speech made by Mr Davis. He appealed for courageous action. Drawing attention to the dangerous ruts and pitfalls in the path of an international conference, he said they must aim not only at establishing a just peace in the Far East, but they must bind the hands of aggressors for the future of the whole world.

FINAL OVERTURE TO JAPAN

(Received November 5, 12.10 a.m.) BRUSSELS, November 4. The conference will meet privately to-day, when it is believed a final attempt to secure Japanese collaboration will be made. Japanese quarters have declared that they have received fresh instructions to reject any further overtures.

CHINESE CREW STILL IN SYDNEY

EXPECTED TO SAIL FOR HOME NEXT WEEK (Received November 5, 1 a.m.) SYDNEY, November 4. The 36 Chinese members of the crew of the Silksworth, who were detained for refusing to sail the vessel to Manchukuo, are still in Sydney under the care and supervision of the Chinese Consul. It is expected that arrangements will be made for the crew to join the Nanking, which will leave for China next week.