NAVAL CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20392, 22 October 1929, Page 11

NAVAL CONFERENCE.

ATTITUDE OF JAPAN. REPLY TO NOTE WELCOMED. BRITI3H VIEW APPRECIATED. Australian and N.Z. Press Association. (Received October 21, 11.15 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 21. The diplomatic correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says British circles aro impressed by tho text of tho Japanese reply to the invitation to attend tho London Naval Conference, tho first favourable impression boing strengthened by later advices from Tokio. There aro soveral, but not important, points of difference between the AngloAmerican and tho Japaneso points of view, but it is generally held that tho Japaneso reply is a general agreement on tho purpose and proceduro of tho conference. Unliko France and Italy, Japan rogards tho conference as empowered to arrivo at definite decisions on special problems. Furthermore, Japan is at , loast as keen as Britain and tho United States on a real reduction, not a mero limitation, of armaments. It is also gratifying that Japan has welcomed, without a sign of her former distrust, tho present rapprochement between the British Empire and tho United States. Indeed, with commendable insight and sagacity, Japan sees that this is not a menaco, but a guaranteo of her security. It is considered a pity that Paris and Rome seem nnablo to view it in tho samo sensible light. MACDONALD'S TOUR. EARLY. RETURN TO LONDON. CONVERSATIONS WITH POWERS. British "Wireless. _ RUGBY, Oct. 20. Tho health of the Prime Minister, Mr. Mac Donald, has not been impaired by tho strain of his tour in tho United States and Canada, although his programmo has resulted in a normal strain. Tho worst part is now past and tho crisp Canadian air is having a refreshing effect upon him. Mr. Mac Donald will return to England at tho end of this month or in tho first days of November. Ho is looking forward to meeting the Houso of Commons soon after it reassembles. When ho returns he will also begin conversations upon tho Fivo Powers Naval Conference (to be held in January) with Franco, Italy and Japan. The Prime Minister wishes those conversations to bo conducted in tho same frank, froo and open way that characterised the conversations with America. Tho announcement that France and Italy aro to try to reach a preliminary understanding is warmly welcomed by Mr. MacDonald, who believes silch an understanding would help immensely toward tho success of tho January conference. In the course of press interviews Mr. Mac Donald has again emphasised that in his conversations with Mr. Hoover, President of the United Slates, nothing in regard to naval questions took place which was binding upon Britain or the United States. Whatever is binding will bo decided at the Five Powers Conference. All Mr. Mac Donald claims to have accomplished is to havo helped to- create an atmosphere of goodwill and to have found Mr. Hoover in complete agreement that there shall be no naval rivalry between Britain and America.