WASHINGTON CONFERENCE

Evening Star, Issue 17767, 15 September 1921, Page 8

WASHINGTON CONFERENCE

QUESTION OF PUBLICITY.

PRELIMINARY ARRANGEMENTS. Proas Association—By Telegraph-Copyright, WASHINGTON, September 13. A council of fourteen Washington Press correspondents has been formed to advise avid assist tho Government officials in arranging publicity facilities regarding the Disarmament Conference. They will consult shortly with Mr Hughes (Secretary of State) and President Harding concerning tho allotment of Press space and the housing, entertainment, and credentials of visiting correspondents.—A. and N.Z. Cable. AMERICAN DELEGATION. NEW YORK, September 13. According to a message from Alabama, Mr Underwood has announced his acceptance of appointment ns a delegate to tho Disarmament Conference. Ho personally favors publicity at tho Conference, but must abide by tho delegates’ decision. Ho behoves that the biggest task will be convincing foreign countries of tho effectiveness of and necessity for an agreement to disarm, and ho is hopeful that such an agreement will be reached, which he believes will have immediate and favorable reaction on tire economic position of tho world.—A. and N.Z. Cable. JAPAN’S POSITION. TOKIO, September 13. The, ‘ Asahi Shimbun ’ says that tho Foreign Office naval and military experts have decided the ground principles of naval limitation to which Japan can agree—namely, that Japan will neither suspend provionslyarrangod building programmes nor reduco tho strength of her navy independently. Japan believes it is against the fundamental spirit of the Disarmament Conference that any Power should possess superior forces sufficient to obtain victory over any Power or Powers. Tho Powers therefore should reduce armaments in the same degree as the country having tho smallest naval strength among the Powers concerned. Tho latter should not establish any naval base in tho Pacific, Tho ‘ Asahi Rhimbun ’ adds that it has also been decided that the present building programme should be extended over a longer number of years than was originally contemplated. Tho League of Nations Association of Japan has issued a statement endorsing tho Disarmament Conference, and asking tho League of Nations Associations in various countries to endorse the movement, A. desire is expressed for a complete understanding among the Powers on Far Eastern questions A strong international organisation is needed to back up tho Disarmament Conference, which may result in the League being recognised bv all nations. -A, and N.Z. Cable.