UNDERSTANDING IN PACIFIC

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17844, 27 July 1921, Page 7

UNDERSTANDING IN PACIFIC

BASIS OF DISARMAMENT. CONFERENCE ASSURED. MAY MEET IN LONDON. DOMINIONS TO BE HEARD. By Telegraph—Press Association-Copyright. (Received 11.30 p.m.) A an ° N z LONDON. July 25. Whatever doubts existed regafdinf a preliminary conference on the Pacific question they were dispelled to-day. It is certain now the representatives of the ration? and Dominions interested will meet to disruss sid« issues before the main Catherine to discuss disarmament is held at Washington. This preliminary meeting may not be called a conference., but an Imperial Minister remarked to-day, "Call it a pow-wow, conversation, exchange of views or anything else, something of that nature is assured." It is practically settled that the gathering will be held in London. Finality on this point is likely to be reached on Tuesday. The Prinie Ministers, after spending the week-end at. Bath, Bristol, and in the Cheddar district, returned to Paddington to-day to find motor-cars waiting to take them to a meeting which had been , hurriedly summoned for noon. No announcement has been made, but it is learned privately that the question of the preliminary conference was referred to. The representatives on leaving for lunch were assured that an opportunity will be given to place their _ views fully before those likely to be tie final arbiters of the disarmament question, which directly hinges on the situation in the Pacific. Late in the afternoon another meeting was called, but it quickly dissolved. Mr. Lloyd George was compelled to remain at a Cabinet meeting wllicb extended unexpectedly. Meanwhile Mr. Meighen is standing by to become conversant with the latest developments before hurrying home. Perhaps he will come back again when required. The Prime Ministers are convinced that it would be futile seriously to discuss disarmament at a general conference in the United States unless the issues causing the present rivalry are first settled satisfactorily without any affronts to national aspirations and pride of race. The outlook is unpromising. One representative, replying to a question, saki: " Mr. Hughes focussed also my views at the American Club's, luncheon. Reconcile Japan's desire for racial equality, the White Australia policy, and the problems of Canada and. Western America, guarantee safety to France, assure the safety of the seas which Britain has guarded for centuries, and disarmament is then within measurable distance. Which nation will sacrifice ideals for which it would have fought to the last drop of blood ? Every nation in Europe, Asia, and America demands the recognition of certain principles, which so far have been guaranteed by might. If ail these thing 3 can continue inviolate by an understanding a very happy condition for the world will be reached. Until each declares what it is prepared to concede and to accept discussion on disarmament will lead nowhere. The whole question is involved in the Pacific, where mis understandings musfe first be cleared aside." Another representative suggested that the fate of the proposed preliminary conference was not a matter to be decided by one nation. If any nation did not, desire to attend, that was its own affair, but others would confer anyway. Lack of news and strict secrecy is pre venting the London newspapers from as eessing the position. The majority are silent. Others are guessing wildly, and making announcements based on wrong premises. Mr. Hughes and Mr. Massey both propose leaving England about August 24. Mr. Massey will catch the Niagara at Vancouver, arriving for the opening of the Dominion Parliament. Referring to the Pacific question late tonight, Mr. Hughes said that a satisfactory understanding of the problems was a matter of moment for the United States, but a. matter of life or death to Australia.