REDUCTION OF ARMAMENTS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 302, 15 September 1921, Page 5

REDUCTION OF ARMAMENTS

NAVAL LIMITATION TO WHICH JAPAN WILL AGREE BUILDING PROGRAMME NOT TO BE SUSPENDED Uy Telegraph—Press Association-Copyright (Rec. September 14, 11.10 p.m.) Tokio, September 13. The "Asahi Shimbun” says the Foreign Office and naval and military experts have decided on the ground principles of naval limitation to which Japan dan agree—namely, Japan will neither suspend the previously arranged building programmes nor reduce the strength of the navy independently. Japan believes it is against tho fundamental spirit of the Armament Conference that any Rower should possess superior forces sufficient to obtain victory over any Power or Powers. Tim Powers, therefore, should reduce armaments to the same degree as the country having the smallest naval strength among the Powers concerned. The latter should not establish aqy naval base in the Pacific. Th© “Asahi Shimbun” adds: "It has also been decided that the present building programme should be extended over a longer number of years than was originally contemplated.’’’— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

STRONG ORGANISATION NEEDED

LEAGUE’S RECOGNITION BY ALE NATIONS POSSIBLE. (Rec. September 14, 10.38 p.m.) Tokio, September 13.

Tli© League of Nations’ Association of Japan has iss,ued a statement endorsing tho Armameht Conference, and asking the League of Nations’ Associations in the various countries to endorse the movement, expressing a desire for a complete understanding among the Powers on Far Eastern questions. A strong international organisation is needed to back up reductions in armaments. The conference may result in the League being recognised by all nations.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

MR. UNDERWOOD A DELEGATE TO CONFERENCE

HOPEFUL OF. AGREEMENT TO DISARM. I (Rcc. September 14, 8.30 p.m.) New York, September 13.

According to a message from Alabama, Mr. Underwood has announced his acceptance of appointment as a delegate to the Armament Conference. He personally favours publicity at the conference, but must abide by tho delegates’ decision. Ho believes the biggest task will bo convincing foreign countries of the effectiveness and necessity of an agreement to disarm, and is hopeful of such an agreement, which he believes will have an immediate favourable rm action on tho economic world. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. PUBLICITY FACILITIES COUNCIL TO ASSIST OFFICIALS. (Rec. September 14, 10.30 p.m.) Washington, September 13. A council of fourteen Washington correspondents has boon formed to advise end assist Government officials in arranging publicity facilities regarding the Armament Conference. They will consult shortly with Mr. C. E. Hughes (Secretary of State) and President Harding concerning the allotment of Press space, housing, entertainment, and tho credentials of visiting correspondents.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.