ARMS CONFERENCE

Evening Star, Issue 17824, 22 November 1921, Page 4

ARMS CONFERENCE

FRENCH LAND FORCES. (From the Special Representative of the' Australian Press Association.) WASHINGTON, November 20. The Australian Press Association understands authoritatively that M. Briand tomorrow will announce a reduction of the French military service from three years to eighteen months, and a decrease of tho Continental army from 700,000 to 300,000 this year, and to 250,000 next year, plus 200.000 Territorial troops. He will ask for a resolution by the conference approving of France’s action in _ the cause of European peace. This last is intended for homo consumption, M. Briand realising that ho cannot take back, as lie hoped, a treaty between Groat Britain, tho United States, and France. This became known to-night. .after M. Briand had had a long conference with Air Hughes and Mr Balfour. If the time permits, Signor Schanzor will maintain that an Italian many of 200.000 is necessary for her defence. Belgium is supporting France.—A. and N.Z. Cable. UNDER-WATER CRAFT NEW YORK. November 21. The naval authorities are singularly reticent in discussing submarine tonnage, which they consider necessary for defence. It is believed they do not agree with Great Britain’s desire to abolish submarines. JAPANESE CAPITAL SHIP. NEW YORK. November 21. The, ‘New York World’s’ Tokio correspondent state that, obeying the Naval Department's special request,, the contractors who are building the super-dread--1 noght Tosa, which, under Mr Hughes’s plan, would bo scrapped aro hurrying on tho work to enable the launching of the vessel to be carried out fifteen days ahead of the original date (December 19).—A. and N.Z. Cable. FRANCE MUST BE SAFEGUARDED. PARIS, November 21. (Received November 22, at 9.15 a.m.) M. Barthou. Minister of War, speaking at an armistice celebration dinner at Strasburg, said : “ M. Briand at Washington will not surrender any guarantees which France requires for its protection, or accept a limitation of armaments without receiving assurances of Germany's complete disarmament. —-A. and N.Z. Cable. ALL GOING WELL. SECOND WEEK OPENS AUSPICIOUSLY. (From the Special Representative of the Australian Press Association.) WASHINGTON, November 21. (Received November 22, at 10.20 a.m.) All the nations are expected to reduce further if a general plan of Europca.ii disarmament, including Russia, can be effected. Some of tho major questions affecting the Far East seem likely to be removed, as the conference on the Yap controversy is believed to bo. over. It is now suggested that Hie Shantung dispute will btCreUlod by negotiation Ik> tween China and Japan separately. Under these circumstances the problems are more certain of solution. While the opinion is generally expressed that Japan's insistence, on an increased tonnage ratio is tho only obstacle, to speedy agreement on naval disarmament, it is felt that Japan will not press her claims to extremes in the face of Mr .Hughes’s definite declaration that the United States will not shift, from the “five, five, three” plan, which Great Britain, moreover, accepted without important reservations. Thus the second week of the conference starts hopefully, and the way is clearer) for real work in committee. ANGLO-JAPANESE PACT. ITS ABROGATION ADVISED. LONDON, November 21. (Received November 22, at 9.15 a-.m.) Tho special correspondent, of ‘The Times’ at, Washington says: The abrogation of tlie Anglo-Japanese Alliance as a, spontaneous expression of British policy would open tho way to a more general understanding and international co-operation in the. Far East, upon which the success of tho conference mainly hinges. It is. certain that a majority of the peoples, if not, the Governments, of the Empire regard. its continuance as inexpedient. The facts are very simple. If, as is hoped, Japan’s policy is to be directed to helpful co-operation in safeguarding China, it can be carried out as well without the alliance; on tho contrary, if it is dominated by aggressive militaristic tendencies such as are likelv to produce a conflict with the United states, it would be phyflicallv impossible for some parts of the Empire not to take, sides against, Japan. In ono event, therefore, the alliance is superfluous ; in tho other it is worn than futile. Regard for Japan, no less than for British" honor, demands that the alliance should be abrogated.— 1 limes.’