FOR WORLD PEACE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10956, 19 July 1921, Page 5

FOR WORLD PEACE

“A COLOSSAL BLUNDER” WARNING AGAINST A PRELIMIX ARY CONFERENCE. CANADIAN COMMENT. By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright: By Teieyraoii —---at (Special to Press Association.) ° (Received July 19,- 12.30 a.m.) LONDON, July IS. A telegraphed excerpt fix-;. the Mon. treat “Star,” appearing in London Prf-ss, is attracting attentii-n. It is headed: ‘‘Don’t Chill American Opinion,” and states that it is most ardently to be hoped that tile personal convenience of Air Alassey and Air Hughes will not be allowed to force the holding of a preliminary conference on Pacific problems in London. “This,” declares the “Star.” ‘‘would be a colossal blunder ir reading the Americans' psychology. Their President inaugurated it and for a preliminary conference in London to deal with some of the. most important features of the problems would be to rub most of the gilt off the. gingerbread.” November 11th is suggested by President Harding as the date for the conference. and as it is imperative that Air Alassey and Mr Hughes dwold return in September it is impossible for them to accept that date, yet both are representatives of the Dominions most vitally concerned in Pacific problems, regarding which a preliminary conference is understood to have been an rows, ed to suit their convenience. Among • the matters Air Alassey is going very fully into at present is the question of New Zealand’s share of the German reparation, which he is discussing with the British Treasury. OPINION IN THE EAST AMERICA’S ACTION APPEALS TO JAPAN. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. TOKJO, July 17. The Government Party is urging Mr Hara (IVernier) to attend the proposed armament conference, declaring that if a delegation is sent which is compelled to wait Tokio’s instructions it would be disadvantageous to Japan. Army circles, favour Baron Yamamoto's appointment, and navy circles that of Admiral Kato, who declared he would not refuse such an assignment. He added that it would be better to discuss the Pacific questions separately, and concluded * that if a satisfactory armament agreement was arrived at Japan would not adhere to the eightbattleship eight-cruiser programme. HOLLAND INTERESTED WATCHING DEVELOPMENTS. LONJDON, '’July 15. It is reported from The Hague that the Dutch Government is watching the developments of President Harding’s proposed conference with the keenest interest, because settlement of the problems would solve the grievous burden of protecting the East Indies. The Government had decided' on an elaborate programme of naval defence of the Pacific, directed primarily against Japan. The Dutch policy has been to avoid entanglements, but in view of her interests in die Pacific, Holland hopes tc receive an invitation to the Washing ton Conference. FEELING IN AUSTRALIA COUNTRY PARTY’S VIEWS ON REPRESENTATION. SYDNEY, July 18. Dr. Earle Page, leader of the Country Party, has declined to comment on the prospect of tho party terminating the trace with the Ministry at the conclusion of the Imperial Conference. He added: “However; there is no necessity for Mr Hughes to visit Washington to announce that Australia is in favour pf disarmament. The High Commissioner or the Minister far External Affairs should go, if Anyone.” He objected to hanging np domestic legislation while the Prime Minister was running from conference to conference . A DIFFERENCE NAVAL AND ARMY' DISARMAMENT. ~ PARIS, JnR 17Before the Redaction of Armaments Committee of the League of Nations, Mr Fisher (Britain) stated that Britain had suffered too mnch by foolish rivalry in naval armaments not to have a sincere desire to reach a prompt and definite settlement of the question, but naval disarmament was technically different from disarmament on land.