PACIFIC CONFLICT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21579, 25 August 1933, Page 11

PACIFIC CONFLICT

CAUSES EXAMINED THE POLICY OF DRIFT GREAT SMASH PREDICTED JAPAN'S SECURITY PLAN lßy Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Keceived August 21, 5.5 p.m.) BANFF. Aus. 23 That a policy of drift in the Pacific would lead inevitably to a world j calamity was asserted to-day at the I conference of tho Institute of Pacific Relations. It was said that the great smash might como in 10, 20 or 50 years, but it would certainly come if remedies wore not found for the situation, in which there was a clashing on nearly half a dozen fundamental points. Sir Andrew McFadyen, a British delegate, and chairman of one group, urged that the-nations should stand by with their good offices to be applied to any avenue that might offer a prospect of peace and future security. "What is required," lie said, "is that rarest of qualities, common sense." Reviews wero made of what the round table groups at the conference bad accomplished, and the reports indicated that much light had been thrown on the causes of friction. It was said, however, that frank differences about the application of remedies had developed. The causes of the present era of conflict in (be Pacific were set forth as tariffs, currency depreciation, raw materials and the pressure of population. British Dominions' Status Sir Herbert Samuel, reporting at the plenary conference of the four round table groups, supported the suggestion of tho Japanese group for the reorganisation of tho peace machinery of the Pacific area. Tho Japanese urged that the provisions in tho present peace machinery for alterations in the status quo should be made operative. They outlined a draft pact of security which would include many of tho provisions of existing treaties and the so-called HooverStimson doctrine of non-recognition. The British Dominions bordering on the Pacific are to bo asked to . participate in a conference of the Pacific Powers named in Japan's proposals if they become ail actuality. In the draft scheme the Japanese admitted they had named only Britain, but owing to the discussions in Banff they quickly recognised the Statute of Westminster, which gives equal sovereignty with Britain to all her Dominions. This had been overlooked, but tho Japanese declared their readiness to amend the draft proposals to include tho Dominions as fully treatymaking Powers with the other nations bordering the Pacific. International Co-operation Japan stipulates for a modification of Article 16 of the Convenant of the League of Nations which will impel each nation to fall into line. They say that with the growing tendency among tho nations to adopt a new conception of international sanctions it might help to make the League moro universal. The Japanese also recommend a consultation among the Pacific Powers at the conference which might aid in restoring disturbed relationships and reestablish a basis for international cooperation among the nations of the Pacific area. It is suggested that Pacific agreements be organised as between the United States, Russia, Japan, China, Franco and Britain. Nationalism Condemned The Japanese proposal was prepared by Dr. Yasaki Takaki and Dr. Ksaburo Yokota. Nationalism and internationalism were not necessarily contradictory, said Sir Herbert Samuel. The world must concentrate on making them complementary and balanced. Nationalism, as a conscious effort toward solf-suflicicncy, was bad, and its philosophy wrong. The nations should rely on international trade to supply the commodities that they could not themselves supply most economically and in abundance. Unless this was tho development, he thought there was no alternative before such nations as Japan, except a policy of aggression and Imperialism. Agencies of Specific Action Four agencies of specific action existed in tho present situation, Sir Herbert continued. They were: Governments, the League of Nations, the organisation of traders, and public opinion, which he believed was the strongest of all. Sir Herbert gave a list of suggestions for specific action. Tho first was tho development of peace and tranquility, for this will to peace, ho said, was a primo necessity, but unfortunately ho could not assume that this will universally prevailed. Tho second proposal for action was tho stabilisation of currencies, which ho declared was an obvious necessity. Tho reduction of barriers to trade was tho third. In view of the rapid extension of Japanese trade and the consequent hardships for her competitors, effort toward the allocation of markets should bo considered. Many would watch with anxious interest tho conference of Japanese, British and Indian textile interests at Simla. China Opposos Japan's Proposals Sir Herbert mentioned the interesting possibility of Asiatic countries substituting wool for the clothing materials now used, and said that the extension of tho present trend in this direction might have an enormous effect. A similar statement might be made of wheat. China finds itself absolutely unable to consider favourably the ]>eaco proposals set out bv Sir Herbert, said the spokesman of tho Chinese group after the meeting. Ho explained that Japan's proposals would have been satisfactory if Japan had not violated tho Nine-Power Treaty, tho Kellogg Treaty, and tho League of Nations Covenant, by its actions in Manchuria. Until this wrong was righted, and Manchukuo abolished, China would not be a party to the Japanese proposals, he said.