TO END WARS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10957, 20 July 1921, Page 5

TO END WARS

FINDING A WAY

JAPANESE INQUIRY REGARDING DISARMAMENT. AN IMPORTANT MISSION. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Tinned Service Teleeraxn. (Received Julv A 9, 8.10 p.m.) LONDON, July 18. Ten members of the Japanese Diet, including Mr Tanaka, member for Tokio, have arrived in London after visiting America. Their mission is to study the changes brought about by the war, and endeavour to strengthen the bond of unity between Britain and Japan. Later, they; will visit France and Belgium, and on their return to Japan will present a special report on the question of armaments reduction, also stating their views on measures necessary for the establishment of international peace. Mr Tanaka, interviewed, declared that if Britain, America, and Japan would combine to keep faith there would be no more wars. Japanese popular opinion in favour of disarmament was growing daily.

J tPAN AROUSED

DISCUSSION OF FAR EASTERN PROBLEMS URGED. c CRITICAL TIMES. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. NEW YORK, July 17. Dispatches from Tokio indicate that all Japan is deeply aroused over President Harding’s Armament Conference proposal. The Liberals declare that there is nothing to fear from a frank and open' discussion on Far Eastern problems. They point out that Japan must openly and candidly discuss all aspects of the situation, and must strive valiantly for its rights at the Conference, but must not haggle or take a small attitude, since these would hurt the Empire more than anything else. The aristocrats and bureaucrats seem to see an element iof danger arising out of a possible h AngloSaxon combination robbing Japan of its dominating hold on economic and political life in Asia. All parties agree that a crisis in Japan’s affairs has arrived, and only wisdom and farsightedness will steer her through the new developments in world policy.

f PEACE IN PACIFIC

~ JAPAN‘S VIEW ON OUTSIDE ARBITRATION. ■ A DELICATE SITUATION. • (Received July 20, 12.25 a.m.) LONDON, July 18. The “Morning Port’s” Ear Eastern correspondent states that Japan’s hesitation in replying is easy to understand. There is natural reluctance to submit the future of Eastern Asia to what Japan regards as Anglo-Ameri-can arbitration. For some years Japan has been trying to assume -a Monroe Doctrine for Eastern Asia. Some have even suspected her of trying to claim hegemony. At any rate, she does not desire to create the precedent of calling in a third party to the discussion between herself andt China, just jas the United States would resent the presence of a third partyJapan, for instance—in a discussion regarding Mexico or South America. Japan equally dislikes the idea of a third party interesting herself in China. England and the United States should come fo a definite conclusion whether they are to claim any share in determining the future of Eastern Asia. England and the United Stages must decide if they have any interest m China, which they are not willing to leave to the judgment *of Japan. If they have, now is the time to state them. It would be a fatal blunder to allow Japan to go on being deceived, supposing • she can create and pursue an independent policy. Apart from Governments, it is safe to say that the English-speaking peoples of all lands do not agree that the opportunity should be seized for bringing England, America., and Japan to agree upon a' common policy, not only regarding the Far East in general, but China in particular. In Japanese eyes the peace of the Pacific depends on what extent Western nations interfere between China and Japan. What the Western nations demand should he laid down in black and white. While Japan is left to herself there will-be a perpetual possibility of trouble. It is simply a matter of letting Japan know that in certain aspects of the Far Eastern problem England and America are equally concerned with Japan.

Any agreement between*" the Big Three should benefit rather than menace China. The latter requires generous sympathy and practical help in establishing a stable government, extending efficient education and gaining freedom to exploit her territorial resources, untrammelled by foreign interference. She can get this only through the whole-hearted support of her friends. There must be on agreement of an effective kind if peace is to be secured in the Pacific.

PRELIMINARY DISCUSSIONS

VANCOUVER, July 17. The United Press Agency at Washington reports that it is authoritatively stated that America has decided that all the Powers will have an opportunity to discuss what subjects will be taken up at the Disarmament Conference before it begins.

STATUS OF DOMINIONS

HOW TO OVERCOME AMERICAN OBJECTIONS. Australian and N.Z. fable Association. (Received July 19, 8.45 p.m.) LONDON July 18. Mr Massey states that he fully recognises the force of the arguments regarding the Washington Conference advanced by Professor Berriedale Keith, who writes that President Harding’s action in not inviting the Dominions accords with his party’s refusal to recognise the Dominions’ separate voting in the League of Nations. Professor Keith adds: “The United States does not recognise the Dominions’ attainment of an international status, which all signatories to the Peace Treaty recognised. Therefore, she does not invite the Dominions.’’ Mr Massey soys that the difficulty will possibly be overcome in one of two ways—firstly, by including the Dominions' representatives in the British delegation as Professor Keith suggests; or, .secondly, by th» British delegation

stipulating that any decision reached by the conference regarding the South Pacific must he submitted for the approval of the Dominions concerned. AUSTRALABIAN VIEWPOINTS PARLIAMENTS - MUST DECIDE. (Received July 20, 1 a.m.) LONDON, July 10. Although it is desirable that the Australasian representatives should visit Washington and present their case in connection with Pacific problems it is now practically certain that uo action will .be taken unless strong representations are made by the Australian and New Zealand Parliaments.

PAINFUL MISHAP

YOUTH LOSES A THUMB. A youth named Charles MoMalion, aged nineteen years, residing at Johneonville, while working for McMahon and Field, contractors, at Johnsonville, yesterday afternoon, Fad his right thumb cut off by a 6aw. He was admitted to the hospital at 5.30 o’clock last evening. ’ a POSITION OF THE LEAGUE STATEMENT IN HOUSE OF COMMONS. (Received July 19, 9.35 p.m.) LONDON, July 18. In the House of Commons, Mr A. J. Balfour, replying to a question, did not think it necessary to make representations to the League of Nations in favour of suspending activities regarding disarmament and the Pacific. The League would, doubtless, when dealing with disarmament, have regard for the importance of the Washington Conference.

DUTCH REPRESENTATION (Received Julv 20, 12.5 a.m ) AMSTERDAM, July 18. Tile “Telegraaf” states that it is certain Holland will be invited to attend the Washington Conference regarding the Pacific.