CONFERENCE AT WASHINGTON

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 248, 14 July 1921, Page 5

CONFERENCE AT WASHINGTON

WELCOMED BY MR. LLOYD GEORGE BRITAIN’S FAR EASTERN POLICY JAPANESE TREATY AND THE LEAGUE COVENANT By Telegraph—Press A saociation— Copyright (Rec. July 12, 11.35 p.m.) London, July 11. Mr. Lloyd George, in the House of Commons, announced that Britain had received President Harding’s invitation to the Associated and Allied Powers to confer on disarmament and Pacific questions. China had already replied favourably. No invitation had been received yet by Japan, but there was good reason to believe that it would be in the same sense. Mr. Lloyd George said the world had been looking to the United States for a lead. He heartily wished it success, and no effort would be lacking to make it so on the part of the British Empire Turning to the Anglo-Japanese agreement, Mr. Lloyd George said the broad lines of tho Government’s Far Eastern policy had met with general acceptance at the Premiers’ Conference. It was desired to maintain close friendship and co-operation with Japan, to preserve the open door in China, and to ensure to tho Chinese every opportunity for peaceful progress and development. “We desire friendly co-operation with the United States,” continued the Premier. "Upon these principles more than on anything else depend the peace and well-being of the world. In the conference upon the Pacific question China will bo treated, as an independent Power. In Japan we have an old ally. For twenty years the alliance has not only benefited us, but tho peace of the Far East. China is an enormous country with great potentialities. We will have to bear in mind not only our own interests, but the interests of China. The object of our discussions has been to find some limit to tho danger of heavy naval expenditure in the Pacifi". and to remove those evils tenling to limit the development of our legitimate interests in the Far East. The Japanese Treaty will only lapse at the expiration of twelve months after notice of denunciation has been given. It is tho desire of the British Empire and Japan that the agreement shall be brought into complete harmony with the Covenant of tho League of Nations, and where one is inconsistent with the other the terms of the Covenant shall prevail. Notice to this effect lias now been given to the League. Lord Curzon held conversations with tho American and Japanese Ambassadors and the Chinese Minister, and informed them of the Cabinet’s views. Now, President Harding has taken the momentous step of inviting Powers to a conference on limitations of armaments to be held in Washington in the near future. He also suggests a preliminary meeting on Pacific and Far Eastern questions between the Powers most directly interested. President Harding’s act is one of farseeing statesmanship.” (Cheers.)— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. CONFERENCE FACED WITH VAST ISSUES THE PACIFIC PROBLEM. London, July 11. "The Times,” in a leader, says:—"President Harding’s momentous and timely statement opens a new, and, we hope, a fruitful, phase of the problem of the Pacific. No doubt the British Government, with the full concurrence of the Dominions, will gladly and promptly accept the proposal in the same spirit as it is made. The Dominion Premiers at the week-end were guests of Mr. Lloyd George at The Chequers, and probably were aware of the imminence of the message. and already had discussed the expedience of a Pacific conference. For this reason the arrival of the message was specially timely, precluding misapprehensions of the American attitude. These misunderstandings now appear trivial in view of President Harding’s opportune action. The task of the proposed conference is as delicate and dangerous as that which any conference has essayed to discharged. The Peace Conference at Paris was not faced with vaster issues, fraught with greater possibilities for good or evil. The Paris Conference’s haphazard methods should serve as a warning and a deterrent to the Pacific Conference, which should only be summoned after most careful examination of the preliminary problems and tho utmost caution in the preparation of the agenda. With those precautions it should succeed, to the world’s lasting Iwnefit,”--“The Times.” PREMIERS’ CONFERENCE ENDORSE PRESIDENT HARDING’S PROPOSAL. (Bee. July 12, 11.35 p.m.) London, July 11. The Conference held a special meeting at Downing Street this morning for the purpose of drafting a reply to President Hardiqg’s memorandum. General Smuts was tho only absentee. The Conference unanimously endorsed President Harding’s proposal.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. DOMINION PREMIERS’ VIEWS "NEW HOPE FOR DISTRACTED WORLD." (Rec. July 13, 1.35 a.m.) London, July 11. Mr. Meighen, interviewed, said: “President Harding’s proposal offers new hope and promises relief to a distracted world. Nowhero will it be more eagerly welcomed than in Canada, where there always has been an unwavering belief that tho issues involved can best be settled by a free conference of tho nations concerned. Canada will unquestionably seek every means to ensure success.” Mr. Massey, interviewed, said: "In vears to come it may happen that the Empire will again be called upon to defend rights and liberties. Tho time, therefore ri most opportune to secure an understanding which for gen watioiw„ will ensure peace and good will. >he Times.” (Bee. July 13, 1.5 a.m.) London, July 11.

Mr. Hughes is immensely pleased at (ho now disarmament development. His view is summarised '.n tho remark: 15e have got all we set out to get. -Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. PREMIER OF FRANCE EXPECTED TO ATTEND (Rcc. July 12, 8.15 p.m.) New York, July 11. The. Paris correspondent of the "Now York Times” statee that M. Bria.nd, Premier of France, will accept President Harding’s disarmament conference invitation. ntid will probably attend personally —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.