POWERS CONFER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22878, 5 November 1937, Page 11

POWERS CONFER

ABSENCE OE JAPAN PEACE A VITAL NEED AMERICAN VIEW ENDORSED ITALIAN ATTITUDE COLD By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received November -1, 5.15 p.m.) British Wireless RUGBY. Nov. 3 The conference on the SinoJapanose dispute opened at Brussels, Dr. Spaak, Belgian Foreign Minister, presiding over representatives of 19 nations. Dr. Spaak said that Japan's refusal to attend made the task of the conference more difficult, but he must emphasise that the conference was not a tribunal before which Japan could be haled as a culprit.

"Our aim, if possible," lie'added, "is to halt tlio war and re-establish peace, because we think that nothing in the world is worth going to war for. We think not only of soldiers, but of women and children." United States' Concern Mr. Norman Davis (America) said the hostilities in the Far East were of serious concern, not only to Japan and China, but to the entire world, for peace, once envisaged only by idealists, had become a matter of vital selfinterest to every nation. "There should bo no placo for resort to arms in an orderly, prosperous world," continued Mr. Davis. "We are hero with a common concern and common purpose, and our efforts to deal with tho situation must bo constructive. It is indispensable that equitable adjustment be found. "Wo have como to this conference with no commitments except those to treaty provisions and to tho principles which the Government of the United States has repeated!}' and emphatically affirmed. Share In Common Effort "Tho Government of the United States is prepared to share in a common effort to devise within tho scope of these treaty provisions and principles, means of finding a pacific solution which will provide for terminating hostilities in tho Far East and for restoring peace in that area." Mr. Anthony Eden said the British Government was in full agreement with every word spoken by Mr. Davis. It was prepared to offer the very fullest 'collaboration to promote the success of the conference. M. Delbos ■ (France) said the imperious need was to end the conflict on humanitarian grounds, on account of the atrocities piling up in the Far East. None was safe from extension of tho conflict. Tho conference should make an effort to induce China and Japan to lay down their arms and enter into friendly negotiations. Fascist Government Viewpoint The Italian delegate, Count Marescotti, said the conference could not quarantine Japan. Only the parties concerned in tho position could eliminate the underlying causes of the conflict. Discussions would be useless in tho absence of Japan, and resolutions would merely show the powerlessness of the countries attending tho conference. Tho Fascist Government, he added, must make every reservation regarding the results of tho conference which, however amiablo its methods and means, could only end in platonic resolutions and sterility if realities were ignored. The only useful thing the conference could do was to attempt to bring China and Japan into direct contact. Desires of China Dr. Wellington Koo (China) said: "We desire peace, but know it is not obtainable in the presence of Japanese aggression. W/g aro determined to continue our resistance as long as aggression persists. It is only by accepting peace based on tho principles of Article I. of the Nine-Power Treaty that China, by her tremendous sacrifice, will be contributing to the cause pf law and order in the relations between nations." Press reports from Brussels state that M. Litvinoff (Russia) strongly endorsed the speech by Mr. Davis. He appealed for courageous action. He drew attention to the dangerous ruts and pitfalls in the path of the conference and said they must aim, not only at establishing a just peace in the Far East, but they must bind the hands of aggressors for the future of the whole world.

PRIVATE MEETING JAPANESE INSTRUCTIONS REJECTION OF OVERTURES (Received November 4, 5.5 p.m.) BRUSSELS. Nov. 4 The Far East conference will meet privately to-day when, it is believed, a final attempt will be made to secure Japanese collaboration. Japanese quarters said they had received fresh instructions to reject any further overtures.