DISARMAMENT

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10966, 30 July 1921, Page 8

DISARMAMENT

THE PACIFIC ASPECT PRELIMINARY MEETING NOT YET FIXED. SECRECY IN LONDON, By Tclpprapli—Press Assn. —Copvririht. Australian ami.N.Z. Cable Association. (Received Julv 29. 5.5 p.m.) LUNDON, July 28. Japan’s reply to the American invitation to attend the Far Eastern CuniVwence war: communicated confidentially to the Prime Ministers to-clay. Tt is learned unofficially that the published summaries do not reflect the exact tone. It is necessarily impossible to divulge the detaili:, lint the impression has been conveyed, in conversation with delegates, that the answer, generally, will be satisfactory. When asked to indicate the points of tho official dispatch fully, they declined. There is, one certainty that a conference will he held to dheuss the Pacific problem. Yesterday's developments confirm the previously-cabled prospects that the meeting-place will not be Canada, although that would suit some of the Dominion Prime Ministers. It is expected that finality in regard to the date of the Conference will be reached during the week-end. All tlie Prime Minkters arc observing strict- silence, believing that an indiscreet word may possibly precipitate, a difficulty, but tho indications are that tlio negotiations are progressing satisfactorily. ’ "

It its suggested in some quarters that if a- preliminary conference wero to he hurriedly called, the British and Dominion delegates would possibly be conveyed to the rendezvous in a"fast cruiser, but recourse to such .a heroic measure is considered to be unlikely.