DISARMAMENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18310, 29 July 1921, Page 5

DISARMAMENT

WASHINGTON CONFERENCE

FAR EASTERN QUESTIONS.

TEXT OF' JAPANESE REPLY

Frees Association —By Telegraph—Copyright.

WASHINGTON, July 27. The Japanese reply regarding the proposed Pacific Conference has been received, but it lias not been published. It is understood that it asks for further information regarding tho agenda, but that it accepts tho proposals. The text of the Japanese reply states that Japan will be happy to accent the invitation to discuss Pacific and Far Eastern problems on the understanding that tho agenda is discussed before the Conference opens. The Note expressed the hope that the Conference will not reopen questions affecting any one power which have already been dealt with. —A. and N.Z. Cable.

PRELIMINARY PACIFIC DISCUSSION.

NOTHING DEFINITE SETTLED,

CONFLICTING RUMOURS,

LONDON, July 27,

In tho absence of official statements, conflicting rumours are clouding the main business at the Imperial Conference. Many places and dates have been named for the preliminary Pacific discussion, but the only fact in the of uncertainty is that nothing has been settled. British 1 dominion delegates, when questioned, that if any meeting place is mentioned it is not as a result of their deliberations, but roust have been arranged regardless of ytfiem. It is not probable, however, that any action will be taken without reference to them. Late to-night despatches were still being exchanged overseas, hut those which were most eagerly awaited have not arrived. Till these replies' - are received it is clearly impassible to arrange the details. It is expected that a decision will be arrived at to-morrow, when an official t aii!;ouncenient will be made regarding the Pacific meeting pldce; meanwhile tho papers are changing the scene regardless of geographical difficulties and the expressed intentions of those most interested. Mr Hughes will meet Mr Babington Smith to-morrow with reference to the proposed duplication of the Pacific cable. —A. pnd N.Z. Cable. AMERICA AND JAPAN. EXCHANGE OF NOTES. WASHINGTON, July 27. (Received July 28, at 9.40 p.m.) The State Department has published correspondence between Japan and the United States relative to the Pacific Conference. Tho United States Government, on Julv 23, despatched a Note to Tokio answering Japan’s request to ( be advised of the scope and nature of the subjects to be liscussed at the conference. The Note stated that the Secretary- of State, in conversations with Mr Shidehara (Japanese Ambassador), expressed the hope that Japan Would not press its inquiry, in view oi tho fact that it was desirable there should be full acceptance of the United States’s invitation, •leaving this matter open for adjustment in the precise agenda to bo arrived at later. The Note concluded: “TheiSecretary of State is willing to proceed with exchanges of opinion regarding the agenda prior to the meeting of the conference. He considers it inadvisable at the present moment to hamper the programme, and particularly to delay tho arrangements for tho conference, pending an agreement regarding this matter.” Japan’s reply states: ‘‘The Government is informed that the United States is willing to proceed with exchanges of opinion regarding the agenda prior to the conference meeting, and the United States considers it inadvisable to adjust in the agenda the nature and scope of the Pacific and Far Eastern questions which will be discussed. Japan, upon that understanding, is happy to inform the United States of its intention gladly to accept the invitation to the conference. Japan, in %rder to secure the success of the conference, deems it. advisable that the agenda should be arranged according to the main object of the discussion—namely, the establishment of an enduring peace and tho advancement of human welfare, and the introduction of problei#s of sole concern to certain particular Powers, or such matters as may be regarded as accomplished facts, should be scrupulously avoided.” —A. and N.Z. Cable.

MR THEODORE ROOSEVELT'S POLICY. WASHINGTON, July 27. (Received July 28, at 9.40 ,p!m.) Mr Theodore Roosevelt, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, in a speech, declared that the limitation of armaments will be the thought which is uppermost at the coming Limitation of Armaments Conference. “But I to say we must never under any circumstances put our country in a position where she is unable to defend nerself against anything and everything .arising. The pacifists are muddleheaded idiots, and will shout for the UnitedStates to set an example, but we must never disarm and then wait for the other armed nations to act.’’—A. and N.Z. Cable.