WORLD POLICY

Gisborne Times, Volume LV, Issue 6143, 29 July 1921, Page 5

WORLD POLICY

PACIFIC PROBLEMS,

LONDON CONFERENCE CON-

TINUES.

CONFLICTING RUMOURS. -

(United Press Associatiop— Copyright.) LONDON. July 27.

The Imperial Conference met to discuss the Pacific question this morning. All the delegates were present. Later the Prime Ministers met privately and alone. The strictest secrecy was observed. The Conference resumes to-morrow, and is expected to end on Friday In .the absence of official statements conflicting rumors are clouding the main business at the Imperial Conference. Many places and dates have been named for the preliminary Pacific discussion, but the only fact in the maze of uncertainty is that nothing has been settled. Imperial and Dominion delegates, questioned, say that if any meeting place has been mentioned it is not as a result of their deliberations, but will be arranged regardless of them. It is not probable any action will be taken without reference to them. Late to-night despatches were still being exchanged overseas, but,those which were most eagerly awaited had not arrived. Till these replies are received it clearly is impossible to arrange details. It is expected a decision will be arrived at to-morrow when an official announcement will be made regarding the Pacific meeting place. Meanwhile the papers are changing the scene legardless of geographical difficulties and the expressed intentions of those ftiost interested.

WASHINGTON CONFERENCE

JAPAN ACCEPTS INVITATION. AGENDA MUST BE DISCUSSED FIRST.

WASHINGTON, July 27.

Thee Japanese reply regarding the proposed Pacific conference has been received, but has, not been published. It is understood it asks for further information regarding the agenda, but accepts the proposals. The text of Japan’s reply states that Japan is happy to accept the invitation to discuss the Pacific and Far Eastern problems on the understanding that the agenda is discussed before the conference opens. The Note hopes the conference will not re-open questions affecting any one Power which have already been dealt with.—A. and N.Z.C.A.

EXCHANGE OF NOTES

AMERICA AND JAPAN

TACTFUL COMMUNICATIONS

(Received Julv 28, 9.45 p.m.) WASHINGTON.. July 27. The State Department lias published correspondence between Japan and the United States relative to the Pacific conference. The United States .Government on July 23 dispatched a Note to Toyko answering Japan’s request to be. advised of the scope and nature of the subjects to be discussed at the conference. The Note stated that the Secretary of State, in conversations with Shidehara, expressed the hope that Japan would not press its inquiry in view of the fact that it was desirable that there should be full acceptance of the United States invitation. leaving this matter , open for adjusment in the precise agenda to be arrived at later. The Note concluded: — “The Secretary of State is willing to proceed with exchanges of opinion regarding the agenda prior to the meeting of the Conference. He considers it inadvisable, at the present moment, to hamper the programme and, particularly, to delay arrangements for che conference pending an agreement regarding this matter. ' Japan’s reply states: — “The Government is informed that the United States is willing to proceed with exchanges of. opinion regarding the agenda prior to the conference meeting and the United States considers it advisable to adjust its agenda as to the nature of the scope of the Pacific and Far Eastern questions which will be discussed. -Japan, upon that understanding, is happy to inform the United States of its intention gladly to accept the invitation to the Conference. Japan, in order to secure the success of the conference, deems it advisable that the agenda should be arranged according to the main object of the discussion, namely the establishment of an enduring peace, the advancement of human welfare and the introduction therein of problems or sole concern to certain particular Powers, or such matters as may be regarded as accomplished facts should be scrupulously, avoided.' A. and N.Z.C.A.

AMERICA CANNOT SET EXAMPLE.

STATEMENT BY MR ROOSEVELT “PACIFISTS ARE IDIOTS.”

(Received July 28, 11 p.m.) . WASHINGTON. July 28. Mr Theodore Roosevelt, Assistant Inspr. of the Navy, in a speech, declared that the limitation* of armaments will be the thought uppermost at the coming limitation of armament conference. “But,” be added, “I want to say that we must never, under any circumstances, put our country in a position where she is unable to defend herself against anything and everything. The pacificists are muddle headed idiots and will shout / for the United States to set an example. But we must never disarm and then wait for armed .nations to act.”.—A. and N.Z. C.A.