The New Zealand Times. MONDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1931. FOR WORLD PEACE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11045, 31 October 1921, Page 4

The New Zealand Times. MONDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1931. FOR WORLD PEACE

As the time for the Disarmament Conference at Washington draws nearer the evidences are multiplying that the statesmen of the world realise, not oiily that our twentieth century civilisation cannot possibly stand the strain of another world-war, but that the finances of the nations, both individually and collectively, cannot even stand the strain of “an armed peace.’’ How ole Sri y British statesmen recognise the' foTly and futility of the face for armaments is demonstrated beyond the Shadow of a doubt by the drastic cut iuade in both the material and the pemonrfel of the' Navy as soon as thewar was over, and by the extreme reluctance shown by Brita in in regard to embarifmg on anything in the nature of a naval construction programme. This, of course,- is doubly significant in view of the f“ct that the safety of the far-filing British Empire absolutely depends upon the keeping of the sea* routes open. Again, American sentiment as a whole, a» Lgrd ,Bryce assnred the EinglisH-speaking Union last week, strongly desires a reduction of the United States Navy. “But,” he added, “even if it were maintained at its present strength, there is nothing to disquiet us.” The reason why there is no need for Britain to be disturbed by the strength of the American Navy has been stated- very admirably and with characteristic • forcefulness and point by fi.dihirai Beatty. Speaking at New York on Friday last, he declared:— I discount utterly the possibility of serious differences arising between our two countries. Our every interest and instinct bind us together. I believe it -is absolutely necessary to have the closest intercourse between the United States and Britain in every sphere of activity. It is not a question of bolstering up an artificial man-made alliance, but it is a question of keeping alive and awake the communion which is right aiid iiattlral between otir people. As for Japan’s position, Viscount Hato, interviewed at New York, states that his country is prepared to cut down her navy if the Powers reach an understanding at the Washington Conference. He had been criticised, he added, as the man responsible for Japan’s naval programme, and, therefore, loath to undo his work, but there was nothing further from the truth. If no international accord was reached, declared Viscount Kato, Japan could not, and would not, cut down her naval plane by a single inch ; hut he/ther Japan nor any other nation is exempt from the necessity for cutting her coat according to her cloth. A Tokio cablegram, it is true, announces that a tentative Budget has been drafted, providing for the expenditure of 800 million dollars, of Whidh 33 per Cent., approximately 360 millions, is for the navy, and 18 per cent., approximately 160 millions, is for the army. “But," the message significantly adds, “the Government has admitted that it has doubts whether the amount asked for can be raised.” ’The amount asked for, no .doubt, is the amount that trill be needed if Japan’s naval programme is not out down by a single inch. Die doubt admitted by the Government shows how far the cloth available falls short of the length of naval greatcoat desired. Nor is Japan alone in regard to this shortage of doth. In fact, in view of the present economic and financial position, neither the United States nor the British Empire is in a position to face with equanimity the vaat expenditure that would be deemed absolutely necessary to keep their navies in fighting trim, if' the Washington Conference fails to achieve a limitation of armsmenb. The indications are, however, that the Conference will not fail. The influence of public opinion in each of the nations concerned is, indeed, so strongly in favour of peace and of a pause in

the mad race of armaments, that the very fact that the Conference is to meet constitutes in itself a guarantee of at least a measure of success. The reception by their own people of any delegates responsible for the breakdown of the Conference would be so markedly hostile that all the delegates can be trusted to do their level best to ensure that, even if not so completely successful as could be wished, the Conference shall at least appreciably check naval expenditure, and leave the door open to a future conference or conferencCe, at which a greater measure of success may be achieved. The- cordial acceptance from every quarter of President Harding’s invitation, certainly gives promise of good results. The French Premier, M. Briand, declares that France is going to the Conference in the interests of the worlds peace. That is undoubtedly, too, the spirit in which Britain goes to Washington; and President Harding assures us that if tlie experiment to be made there fails, it will not be the fault of the United States, which is ready to offer a helping hand in the new path. The London “Daily Exprees” states that it is now clear that Japan, far from being the most militaristic Power, is likely to lead the race for naval disarmament, and may even offer to suspend, her own building programme without asking the United States or Britain to do the same, provided her position in China is solved satisfactorily. In fact, the “Express" goes so far as to predict that “The Japanese delegates will make, a proposal for naval disarmament which will stagger the world, but she will ask for the right to develop peacefully Manchuria and Shantung.’’ Clearly, however, if the three greatest naval Powers—Britain, the United States, and Japan—can arrive at an agreement to establish a ‘ joint naval force to police the seven seas, and still more so if all the other Allied arid Associated Powers join in, a very drastic redaction of their navies cart be made, and yet leave them jointly strong enough to deal promptly and orUshingiy With any nation that might develop piratical tendencies or evince a desire for World-dominion. The position to be taken tipi by the French delegates, that “France must not only -safeguard her own existence, but Uphold the' traditions of justice and right, upon Which the fste of all humanity depends,” is most emphatically tlie true position, not only for France, but for every other nation that attends the Conference. If the Allied and Associated Powers discuss in this spirit, and from this viewpoint, the great issues involved, agreement most certainly can be arrived at; and in that case a comparatively small work! mavai police fofee would meet all requirements. If they cannot agree—well,- Japan’s imitative Budget, and Mr Lloyd George’s hint as to. the need for modernising and in setae daises extending certain naval bases abroad, including the Pacific., show what the alternative is like- ■ Iy to he. We hope and believe, however, that ah understanding will be reached. We believe, also, with I/OTd Bryce, that the Washington Conference must prove to America that she cannot remain detached frdm the league of Nations.