DISARMAMENT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIV, 13 July 1921, Page 5

DISARMAMENT

PRESIDENT HARDING’S INVITATION

BRITAIN H ACCEPTANCE

►STATEMENT BY MR LLOYD GEORGE

(By Electric Telegraph-—Copyright.; (Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.)

LONDON, July 11

Mr Lloyd George in the House of Commons, announced that Britain h;\d received President Harding’s invitation to associated allied powers to confer on disarmament and the Pacific question and China, and had already replied favourably. No invitation had yet been received by Japan, but there was good reason to believe it would be in the same sense. Mr Lloyd George said the world had been looking to the United States for a lead. He heartily wished it success and no effort would be lacking to make it so on the part of the British , Empire. Turning to the Anglo-Japanese agreement lie tho broad lines of the Government's Far Eastern policy bad met with general aiccptaiue at the conference. It was desired Lo maintain close friendship and. co-operation with Japan and to preserve the open door in China and give the Chinese every opportunity for peaceful progress and development. We desired cooperation with tho United State. Upon Uicsc principles mure than on anything else depended the peace and well being of the world. In the conference upon the Pacific question China would be treated as an independent power. In Japan wc had an old ally. For twenty years tin; Alliance bad not only benefited us but the peace of the bar East. China was an enormous country with great potentialities. W 7 e would have to bear in mind not only our own interests, but the interests of China. The object of our discussions had been to find some limit to the danger of heavy • naval expenditure in the Pacific and remove those evils tending to limit tho development of our legitimate interests in the Far East. Tho Japanese Treaty will only lapse at the expiration of twelve months after notice of denunciation, had been given. It is the desire of tha British Empire and Japan that tho agreement should be brought into complete harmony with tho Covenant of the League of Nations, and whore one is inconsistent with the other tin,, terms of the Covenant shall prevail. Notice to this effect had now been given to Hie League. Lord Curzon had held conversations with the American and Japanese Ambassadors and the Chinese minister and informed them of Cabinet’s views. Now President Harding has taken the momentous step of inviting tho Powers to a conference on the limitation, of armaments, to be held in Washington in the near future. He also suggested a preliminary meeting on the Pacific and Far Eastern questions betweeh the Powers moat directly interested. President Harding’s act was one of far-seeing statesmanship (cheers). Tho Premiers’ Conference held a special meeting at Downing Street this morning for the purpose of drafting a reply to Mr Harding’s memorandum. General Smuts was the only absentee. The conference unanimously endorsed President Harding’s proposal.

PRESS COMMENT "LONDON, July 12 The Daih; Chronicle states that President Harding and Mr Lloyd tleorgc readied a common conclusion from different starting points. President Harding’s was a desire for a disarmament; conference, tho British was an Anglo-Japaneso Treaty. Though they recognised the past valuo of the Treaty and the future need of friendship and co-operation between tho two leading Asiatic powers, it was also of paramount importance to retain the friendship of the United States. They found tho solution in a round table meeting. The Dally News says the exhaustion of Europe may alone suffice to transfer to yet unexhausted fields the fever which ravaged here. There is less to prevent tho Pacific becoming tire storm centre of tho world now that ,tho tempest has worn itself out elsewhere. There is nothing to prevent it except the resolution of the League ol Nations that it shall not happen. Towards .the realisation of that resolve President ILxrding’s message is a notable step. The Daily Telegraph states that our Imperial statesmen will do everything to ensure the full success of President Harding’s farseeing and statesmanlike proposals. Tire Imperial Conference has done much for the world’s peace by unreservedly laying its views on Eastern questions before tho powers chiefly concerned. This should ensure a successful attempt to settle the Pacific problems. Tho Morning Post says: ‘‘Wo have done- what wo could to ensure* friendly relations among the Pacific Powers by concluding the Japan Treaty. We would gladly sec America’, Fiance, and Italy added. Regarding the Anglo- ' Japan Treaty America must acknowledge that in Britain British interests must bo first ,as in tho United States American interests are supreme. It is clearly to tho interests of the British Empire to bo allied to tjio Japanese neighbour in tho Pacific, It is yet to bo demonstrated that tho same alliance will not benefit the Umtedw States. The Imperial Conference testified to the essential unity of the Empire and sincere amity towards the United States. It is not nudnly difficult under these, circumstances to roach tin* umlerstnnding President Harding lias suggested.” Tho Daily Telegraph states that u the United' States, Britain, Australasia, tho Dominions, Franco, and Italy cannot concertedly solve tbe Pacific problems, the position must be hopeless indeed. We do not behove it is hopeless, but must not linden ate the difficulties. Peace in tho Pacific must. be assured before disarmament is carried far. One depends on the other. That is why tho AngloJapanese Treaty suddenly assumed an importance transcending its modest provisions.

PROBABLE DATE OF CONFERENCE WASHINGTON, July 12. Tim highest authority indicates that (lie disarmament conference may railed to meet on November 11th, the Armistice anniversary. MR LI/1 VO GEORGE EXPECTED TO REPRESENT BRITAIN LONDON, July 11. ' It is expected that Mr Lloyd George will go to Washington in the autumn for the limitation of armaments conference. Mil HUGHES’S VIEWS LONDON. July U.. At the Conference Mr Hughes said the invitation from President* Harding to Allied and associated Powers is a message which the world will bad with joy . It holds out a hope to all mankind. In outlining the object of . the Imperial Conference to the Federal Parliament in April I said war was a curse, and wo should do all things in

our power to prevent it. Therefore tho ideal at which the conference should aim in the first step to peace was a renewal of the Anglo-Japaneso Treaty in such form as was acceptable to Britain, America, Japan, and ourselves. The Prime Minister in the House of Commons to-day Ims clearly indicated that as a result of the deliberations at the Imperial Conference that ideal is at last- on a fair wav to realisation. The nations concerned in what may be called Pacific problems arc being invited to meet in conference. I hope and feel sure an arrangement will he arrived alt satisfactory to Japan, America. China, and the Empire. That will leave the road clear to a greater conference on disarmament. which President Harding has invited, and at which all tho Great Powers will he represented if they desire disarmament. 'Hie significance- of tlu' Prime Minister's statement is therefore revealed 'by consideration of both these facts. Alone they would hold little hope for permanent relief from a suicidal policy of larger and larger armaments; to gether they hold out real prospects of peace and freedom from that nightmare hanging like a cloud above the heads of the people, especially the three naval Powers. 1 rejoice' that such a lead lias been given.

MESSRS METGHEN AND MASSEY INTERVIEWED

LONDON, July 11

Mr Meighen, interviewed, said President Harding’s proposal offers new hope and promises relief to a distracted world. Nowhere will it be more eagerly welcomed than in Canada, whore there has always been an unwavering belief that the issues involved can best be settled by a free conference of the nations concerned. Canada will unquestionably seek every niears to ensure success.

Mr Massey, interviewed, said that in the years to come it may happen that the Empire will again be called upon to defend its rights and liberties. The time, therefore, is most opportune to secure an understanding which for generations will ensure peace and goodwill.