A FAMILY PARTY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 20 December 1924, Page 5

A FAMILY PARTY.

UNITED STATES AND JAPAN

PACIFIC MANOEUVRES

NOT PREPARATION FOR WAR

BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18. The Administration to-day prepared for quick action to head off the resolution of Mr- Britten, a member of the Naval Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives. The resolution will request President Coolidge tp call, a conference of all the white races in the Pacific to discuss the Japanese question.

High officials deplored as untrue and dangerous Mr Britten’s statement that Japan was preparing for war, and said the feeling * between the two Governments was one of complete friendliness and understanding, despite the efforts of ill-advised groups in each country to stir up trouble.

Mr Britten’s statement that the at~ t-iude of Japan, before the League of Nations in opnosition to the principles of America provided justification for the resolution is challenged, officials insisting that Japan’s attitude towards the League arms protocol is not aimed at the United States administration. “Japan, in fact, is the only power with which this Government has no disagreement at the moment,” said one official “There are several matters upon which we are negotiating with Britain, France, Italy and others, but with the Japanese Government we are in complete accord.’’

Administration officials admit that the exclusion of Japanese immigrants from the United States is still used by certain elements in Japan to stir up hatred, but the Japanese Government, while deploring, the form of the Exclusion Act. which is also opposed by President Coolidge, considers the matter closed.

Officials declare that a new spirit of co-operation has arisen in the Far East under which Japan, Britain and the United States are working together for a solution of problems in the Pacific. Any conference of white nations, as proposed by Mr Britten wfould destroy that cjo-operation and play into the hands of the belligerent elements in each country, which seek to emphasise tlie‘ conflict between the white and yellow races.

The Administration leaders emphatically state that, on a basis of careful official reports, the Japanese Government does not want; and does not expect war with the United States, and is actively pursuing a policy of peace. Inflammatory statements in Japanese newspapers are attributed to the agitation here for a bigger navy and the anti-Japanese propaganda, w'hich, in an exaggerated form, is quoted in the Japanese press.