DISARMAMENT PLANS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10955, 18 July 1921, Page 5

DISARMAMENT PLANS

SYMPATHY FROM JAPAN “VITAL TO PEACE AND HAPPINESS OF WORLD.” THE EQUALITY QUESTION. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Australian aiid N.Z. Cabi<£ Assooi&uoa. (Received July 17, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, July 16. The ‘‘Daily Express®” Tokio correspondent interviewed Count Hara, the Premier, who said: “I am sympathetic to disarmament, hut the matter is still under discussion by the Powers, **> it would be improper to express an opinion. Nevertheless, Japan would welcome an opportunity for a discussion with tlie friendly Powers <>n a matter which is vital to the peace and happiness of the world. Japan hopes thsjt it will be practicable for arrangements to be devised for lightening the burden of armaments. The proposal is absorbing the Government’s whole attention.”

The inclusion of China as one of the parties to the deliberations is regarded as doubtful, and there is a lurking fear that Japan may be manoeuvred into an unfavourable position. A prominent Japanese says that if equality of opportunity is postulated in China, it must not he denied in America and Australia. The questions of the Indo-China tariff, and New Zealand’s and Australia’s discrimination in the Pacific Islandjs, and emigration questions must necessarily arise. Japan cannot discuss these except on terms of equality. NEW YORK, July 15. It is reported in Washington that Mr Hughes, Secretary for State, will announce that Japan must accept the discussion of Pacific problems as part of the business of the coining Conference, and that America will'not allow any preliminary discussion that will make - Japan’s acceptance conditional. Japan has asked America for an amplification of the proposed discussion of Pacific problems. PACIFIC PROBLEMS JAPAN SEEKS SOME INFORMATION. (Received July 17, 11.45 p.m.) NEW YORK, July 16. The Japanese Consul-General states that the Japanese Government is considering whether it will be more expedient in order to facilitate the attainment of the object of the Conference that the character and scope of Pacific problems should be defined before their views are expressed. Japan, has requested the United States to inform it of the American views on that phase of the matter. AMERICA’S TRIPLE AIM HIGH AUTHORITY’S OUTLINE. (Received July 17, 5.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, July 12 (delayed). A high authority has outlined the American aims at the proposed conference on disarmament and Pacific affairs as, first, the removal of sources of international friction as the necessary prelude to effective disarmament; second, the extension of the disarmament principle, wherever possible, to stop the use of gas and aircraft and other means of warfare; and, third, the adoption of the principle of the “open door” in Siberia similar to the “open door” policy in China. “A palct OF PEACE ” MR LLOYD GEORGE’S HOPES. (Received July 17, 5.5 p.m.) ' LONDON. July 16. Mr Lloyd George, efpeaking at the complimentary dinner to Mr C. A. McCurdy, Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury, expressed the hope that the Washington Conference would result in a pact of peace which would make the Pacific Ocean really pacific, and lead to a fruitful discussion on disarmament. “It doesn’t matter what treaties you sign,’’ he added; “what pacts you enter into; what understandings. you establish, or what leagues and associations you found; war will ensue eventually if the nations arm against each other for war.”