PACIFIC PROBLEM

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 261, 29 July 1921, Page 5

PACIFIC PROBLEM

DISCUSSED BY PREMIERS PROPOSED PRELIMINARY CONFERENCE MEETING PLACE NOT FIXED By Telegraph--PreB« Association—Copyright London, July 27. The Imperial Conference discussed the Pacific question this morning. Later the Prime Ministers met privately and alone. The strictest secrecy was observed. The conference will resume to-mor-row, and the end is expected on Friday. In the absence of official statements, conflicting rumours pre clouding the main business of the Imperial Conference. In many places dates are named for the preliminary Pacific discussion, -but the only fact in the maze of uncertainty is that nothing has been settled. Imperial and Dominion delegates, when questioned, say: "If any meeting place has been mentioned, it has not been a* a result of our deliberations.” Late tonight dispatches were still being exchanged overseas, but the most eagerly awaited had not arrived. Till this reply is definite and clear, it is impossible to arrange details. It is expected that a decision will 'be made to-morrow, when an official announcement will be made of the Pacific meeting place. Meanwhile the papers are changing the scene, regardless of geographical difficulties, and the expressed intentions of those most interested. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE WASHINGTON CONFERENCE JAPAN’S ACCEPTANCE THE NOTES EXCHANGER. (Rec. July 28, 9.40 p.m.) Washington, July 27. The State Department has published the correspondence between Japan and the United States relative to the Pacifia conference. The United States Government on July 23 dispatched a Noto to Tokio, ( answering Japan’s request to be advised of the scope and nature of the' subjects to bo discussed at the conference. Tha Note stated that tho Secretary of State, in conversations with Mr. Shidehaxa, expressed the hope that Japan would not press its inquiry in view of the fact that it was desirable that there should be a full acceptance of the United States’ invitation, leaving this matter open for adjustment in the precise agenda to be arrived at later. The Note concluded: "Tho Secretary of State is willing to proceed with exchanges of opinion regarding the agenda prior to the meeting of the conference. He considers ft inadvisable at the present moment 16 hamper the programme, and partictilarly to delay the arrangements for the' conference, ponding an agreement regarding this matter.” Japan’s reply states: "The Government is informed that the United States is willing to proceed with exchanges vf opinion regarding the agenda prior to the conference meeting, and the United States considers it advisable to adjust in the agenda the nature and scope of tho Pacific and Far Eastern questions which will lie discussed. Japan upon that understanding is happy to inform the United States of its intention gladly to accept the invitation to tho conference. Japan,~~ln order to secure the success of the conference, deems it advisable that the agenda should be arranged according to the main object pf the discussion, namely, the establishment o'f'.an enduring peace and the advancement of human welfare, and tha introduction therein of problems of sole concern to certain particular Powers, or such matters as may be regarded as aocomplished facts, should be scrupulously avoided.”—Aus.-N.lt. Cable Assn. LIMITATION OF ARMAMENTS AMERICA MUST BE ABLE TO (DE. VEND BERSELF. (Rec. July 23, 9.40 p.m.) Washington, July 27. Mr. Theodore Roosevelt, Assistant Secretary to tho Navy, in a speech declared that limnauon op armament would be the thought uppermost at the coming limitation of armament conference, "but I want to say that wo must never under any circumstances put our country in a position where she will 'be un<tSle to defend herself against anything and everything arising. The pacifists are muddle-headed idiots, and will shout for the United States to set an example, but. wo must never disarm and then wait for other armed nations to act."— Ans.-N.Z. Cable Assn.