Naval Parleys in 1921

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 10, 13 January 1936, Page 7

Naval Parleys in 1921

Origin of the Washington

Conference

UNUSUAL METHOD OF NEGOTIATION

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. Received uday, 7.0 p.m. NEW YORK, Jan. 10.

Wliat purports to be tlie origin of the 1921 Naval Conference in Washington is revealed by Mr Eugene Young, eabl-* editor of the New 1 uric Times, in a book, “Powerful America,” published to-day.

“The idea of an Anglo-American naval agreement originated in tiio mind of Lord Lee, who asked Mr Ochs, late publisher of the Times, personally to transmit the suggestion to officials in Washington,” says the writer. “Mr Ochs did this through an intermediary, who discussed the matter with the secretary of the Navy (Mr Dcnby) in Washington and prepared a memorandum on r ord Leo’s proposal, wmcli ir. part says, ‘He suggested that an agreement between the two countries ('Britain and Arnei'i x) regarding policing of the seas would have, as a consequence, certain limitation of naval construction with, for instance, the United States taking guardianship of the Pacific, while Britain took responsibility for the Atlantic.'

“A generally unfavourable, but not specific reply from Mr Lonby was transmitted to Lord Lee through the same channels. Mr Ochs explained that Lord Lee’s unusual device of communicating with- Washington was prompted by a desire to prevent suspicion in Tokio, Paris and other capitals. “In a later memorandum, Mr Ochs noted that Britain had denounced her treaty with Japan and soon afterwards President Harding invited the Powers to a naval conference.

“The importance with which Lord Leo held Australian, New Zealand and Canadian views on the Pacific naval situation was stressed by Mr Ochs in recording his impressions of the conversations with Lord Lee.”

Common Upper limit

DISCUSSIONS TO RESUME,

(British. Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Jan. 10,

Following the meeting yesterday between the British and Japanese delegations to the Naval Conference, at which the Foreign Secretary (Mr Anthony Eden) was present, informal contacts between the various delegations were to be established with a view to securing an agreement on the modification of tho procedure desired by the Japanese. It is generally anticipated that as a result of these contacts when the First Committee meets again on Monday evening the discussion of the Japanese proposal for a “common upper limit” will bo resumed.

It is possible that iu the meantime the Jupaneso delegates may prepare a new statement further elucidating tne precise application of their proposal.

Japan Endeavouring to Avoid Withdrawal RECOGNITION OF JUSTICE OF CLAIMS DESIRED. Received Sunday, 8 p.m. TOIviO, Jau. 11. It is understood that instructions were drafted after a teu-liour conference between the Foreign Office and the Admiralty recommending Japan not immediately to withdraw from the Naval Conference, if it is avoidable. The recommendations will be submitted to Cabinet on Sunday. The Asahi Shimbun attributes the length of the conference to a clash of official opinion. The Foreign Office has counselled a continuation of the efforts to persuade the delegations to accept a common upper limit, accompanied by an endeavour to arouse world opinion to the justice of Japan’s claims, but the Naval spokesmen have demanded an early rupture, as the situation is impossible in view of the statement that the English and Japancso proposals are irreconcilable.