PREMIERS' DISCUSSION

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 16, 21 July 1921, Page 7

PREMIERS' DISCUSSION

"WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO

ABOUT IT?"

KESPONSIBILITY THEOWN ON

THE CONFERENCE.

(UNITED PRBB3 ASSOCIATION.—COPYRIGHT.) (AUSTRALIAN • NEW ZiALAND CABLS ASSOCIATION.? j (Received July 21, 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, 20th July. Tile naval question discussion was continued before the Imperial Conference to-day. The first Lord of the Admiralty and the First Sea Lord were present. The position was explained frankly and clearly to the Imperial delegates, showing the relative strength of the British and foreign navies before the •war and at present. The lessons of the war were reviewed', in conjunction with the experience of centuries. One- statement showed that Japan owns eleven ships, and America eight, each far more powerful than anything in the Pacific. Having disclosed the inmost secrets, developments, and prospects, the responsibility was thrown on Conference to decide a scheme to achieve the best results for the whole Empire. "What are you going to do about it?" was the Admiralty's way of launching I the final debate. 1 The efforts of the Conference will be concentrated on devising a scheme for Empire defence acceptable to the general principles of all delegates, who will take it for submission to their Parliaments for approval and ratification and detailed examination. The ' accepted scheme will be put before each Dominion Cabinet, showing the total cost of the proposed shares allotted by Conference! The details will permit a full discussion. One proposal is that the additional cost should come out of the German reparations, but other delegates pointed out that the Dominions and Britain will pay just the same in the long run. Mr. Meighen wished to rely on the League of Nations and the Monroe Doctrine, the Navy to be constituted as at present! .LONDON, 19th July. Much business was done at the morning session, which was devoted to a discussion on foreign affairs. The debate was resumed on the Pacific question, Admirals Beatty and Grant being present. The Anglo-Japanese Treaty was not directly mentioned, being overshadowed by the Washington proposals, but the whole position was surveyed, and all phases examined in order to have all the facts marshalled for presentation to the Pacific Conference, from the Empire standpoint, and alternatively to avoid summoning another Imperial Conference hurriedly should the American plans fail. Mr. Massey and Mr. Hughes still adhere to their original stand that it is in the best interests of the Empire, in any circumstance:, that the Anglo-Japa nose Treaty should be renewed, as a precaution against the Washington discussions failing* to the Pacific problems. . Naval defence is bound by the sailie considerations, ,yet.tho-Anstr,ilasian delegates are insisting on adequate protection being always available as a guarantee that the whole Empire will be invio'lato in any emergency till disarmament is an accomplished fact. Strict secrecy is observed, but at the conclusion of the conference Mr. Hughes was smiling-and , apparently well satisfied with the outlook. He declined to make any comment, but inquiries in other quarters suggest that the basic principles which he favours are now receiving encouraging support, Exact details are not available. It may be regarded- as certain, however, that the proposals include a force in the Pacific equal to delaying an enemy for a month or five weeks, and enabling the main fleet to arrive to the rescue. This arrangement is understood to hinge on a substantial subsidy to the Admiralty. No decision was reached, but the debate is to be resumed to-morrow, all the experts and Admiralty officials being present. > <