DOUBTS REMOVED

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10963, 27 July 1921, Page 5

DOUBTS REMOVED

DISARMAMENT PROBLEM PRELIMINARY CONFERENCE IN LONDON CERTAIN. OUTLOOK NOT PROMISING. Bv Telegraph—Tress Assn.—Corcyrifflifc. Australian and Z.' CWbIA Ass*>eiaHon (Received July 26. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, July 25. Whatever doubts existed regarding a preliminary Pacific conference y*ere dispelled to-day. It is certain now that the representatives of the nations and Dominions interested will meet to discuss side-issues before the main diarmament gathering: is hold in Washington. It may not be called a conference, but an Imperial Minister remarked to-day, call it “pow-wow,” a conversation on exchange of views or anything else. Something of that nature is assured.

It is practically settled that the gathering will be held in London to roach finality on this point, most likely on Tuesday. The Prime Ministers, after spending the week-end at Path,, Bristol and in the -Cheddar district, returned to Paddington to-day to find motors waiting to take them hurriedly to a summoned meeting at noon. No announcement was made, but it was learned privately that this was the preliminary conference referred to. The delegates, Before leaving for lunch, were assured that an opportunity would be given them to place their views fully before those likely to he t!se final efrbiters on the disarmament question, which directly hinges on the situation in the Pacific. Late this afternoon another meeting was called, but quickly -dissolved, as Mr Lloyd George was compelled to remain at a Cabinet meeting, which ex-i tended unexpectedly. Meanwhile Mr A. Meighen (Canada) is standing by to become conversant' with the latest developments before hurrying home and perhaps back again when required. The Prime Ministers are convinced that it will be futile to seriously discuss disarmament at a general conference in America unless the issues causing the present rivalry are first settled satisfactorily, without any affronts to national aspirations and pride of race.' •The outlook is not promising. One delegate suggested that the fate> of the proposed preliminary conference was not a matter to be decided by one nation. If any nation did not desire to attend that was its own affair, but the others would confer anyway. . Lack of news and strict secrecy i* preventing the London papers from assessing the position. The majority are? silent and others are guessing wildly, but the announcements are based onwrong premises. AN AMERICAN PROPOSAL PREELIMINORY PACIFIC CONFERENCE. (Received July 26, 9.20 p.m.) NEW YORK, July 25. The Chicago “1 s riilmii!e , a ,> London correspondent states that Colonel Harvey (United States Ambassador) -has delivered a message to the British Government indicating the United States* willingness to hold a preliminary Pacific Conference either in Washington or in a neutral country, and pointing out that the choice of November llth for the main conference was made on sentimental grounds. Any other date will do. ATTITUDE DEFINED. (Received July 26. 9.20 p.m.) WASHINGTON, July 25. Air C. E. Hughes (Secretary for State) has communicated to Japan direct America’s attitude towards the Japanese inquiry regarding the scope of the Pacific discussion and the disarmament conference. ' ONLY ONE VOTE BRITISH EMPIRE REPRESENTATION. NEW YORK, July 25. The United Press Agency at Washington has been informed that the British Empire will, officially have only one voice at the Washington Disarmament Conference. Representatives of the Dominions will be included in the delegation, but it is understood that Mr C. Hughes (Secretary of State) is informing Britain that it is the attiture of his Government that the Empire should have but one vote.