KEY TO PACIFIC

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 12, 8 October 1921, Page 7

KEY TO PACIFIC

WILL AMERICA FORTIFY GUAM? DANGER OF PRESENT NAVAL PROGRAMMES IF WASHINGTON CONFERENCE FAILS The “Daily Express,” in further references to the outlook in the Pacific, says that according to the existing building pro. grammes a danger time will come by the end of 1923 if the Washington Conference fails. By Telegraph—Pre le Association—Copyright (Rec. October 7, 5.5 p.m.) London, October 6. The "Daily Express” asserts that Guam is the key to the Pacific. While it is unfortified Japin is mistress of the Western Pacific. When Guam becomes an American base, the trident of the Pacific will pass to the American battlefleet. The Navy Department in 'Washington in 1920 formulated a plan to make Guam a second Rosyth. It is now suggested in competent naval quarters that if ihe United States pledges itself not to make Guam and Manila naval bases, Japan will regard, the promise as a proof that the United States does not intend to use the big stick against her and be ready to arrange a mutual limitation of armaments. According to’ the existing building programmes, a danger time will come by the end of 1923 if the Washington conference fails. If Britain is going to do anything at 'Washington she must do it now—otherwise the de-luge."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

RESPONSIBILITY OF PRESS AND PUBLIC MEN ' , NOT TO INFLAME FEELING. (Rec. October 7, 5.5 p.m.) London, October 7. The "Daily Chronicle," under the heading “Press Alarums and Excursions, says: "Nothing but mischief can come of attempts to draw sensational conclusions from the divergent interests which perplex American and Japanese statesmen, and which both are honestly endeavouring to harmonise. At such a time a solemn responsibility rests on the Press and public men to say nothing calculated to inflame feeling or. stir up fears nnd suspicions. Those who attempt to .frighten the public by prophecies of new world wars are playing upon, the credulity of the nervous. Let us rather aid in making the Washington conference a success. The worst course is to start tub-thumping with the destinies of ihe nations.''—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. WORLD OPEN DOOR 'OBJECTIVE OF JAPANESE DELEGATES TO CONFERENCE. Tokio, October 6. The “Vorodzu Choho” quotes the Premier, Jin Harn, as saying that the Japanese delegates to the IVashington conference design to obtain perfect agreement among the Powers, based on the fundamental principles of respect for a world open-door, the removal of racial barriers, and assurances of the existence of mankind. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. TO CONFER WITH AMERICAN LEADERS DELEGATION OF JA PA NESE BUSINESS MEN (Reo. October 7, 8.30 p.m.) Washington, October 6. A delegation consisting .of leading Japanese business men will sail from Yokohama on October 21 to confer with American leaders on financial, economic, and industrial matters, in order to provide co-operative understandings in the future. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

OVER POPULATION OF JAPAN AND CHINA "MUST MEAN EXODUS TO NORTHERN AUSTRALIA.” Montreal, October 6. A prominent Japanese merchant, in an interview, declared that the existing over-population of Japan and China, and tho need for an outlet, must eventually mean an Asiatic exodus to the Northern Territories of Australia. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. UNDERMINING PEACE EFFORTS AMERICAN SHIPS’ FREE PASSAGE THROUGH PANAMA. Washington, October 6. Senator Colt, in a speech in the Senate, said that all efforts to maintain a world peace would be undermined by th)* passage of Senator Borah's Bill giving American coastwise ships free passage through the Panama Canal, and the Anglo-American Treaty would be violated. He urged arbitration on the matter.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. AUSTRALIA’S DELEGATE TO CONFERENCE APPOINTMENT CRITICISED BY LABOUR PARTY. Melbourne, October 7. In the House of Representatives, when Mr Hughes made the announcement that Senator Pearce had been appointed to go to Washington, it provoked considerable criticism from the Labour Party, Sir R._AV. Best, Mr. W A. Watt, end others, who contended that Mr. Pearce’s qualifications were not high enough. The Sydney “Telegraph’s" correspondent at Melbourne suggests that the Government selected Mr. Pearce In the hope that he would be acceptable to New Zealand as the delegate from Australasia.— Press Assn. SENATOR PEARCE’S SELECTION ENDORSED (Rec. October 7. 9.30 p.m.) Melbourne, October 7. The House of Representatives, on the motion of Mr. Hughes, endorsed the selection of Senator Pearce to attend the Washington conference by 36 votes to IC. —Press Assn. CHINA’S DELEGATION SAILS Shanghai, October (>. China's delegation to the Washington Conference has sailed 'l'he party numbered a hundred.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.