DISARMAMENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18351, 15 September 1921, Page 5

DISARMAMENT

WASHINGTON .CONFERENCE AMERICA’S REPRESENTATION. Fieas Association—By Telegraph—Copyright NEW YORK, September 13. (Received Sept. 14, at 8.30 p.m.) According to a message from Alabama, Mr Underwood has announced his acceptance of appointment as a delegate to the Disarmament Conference. He personally favours publicity at the conference, but must abide by the delegates’ decision. -He believes that the biggest task will lie convincing foreign countries of the effectiveness of and necessity for an agreement to disarm, and he is hopeful that such an agreement will be reached, which .he believes will have immediate and favourable reaction on the economic position of the world.—A. and N.Z. Cable. FAR EASTERN QUESTIONS. COMPLETE UNDERSTANDING DESIRED. TOKIO, September 13; (Received Sept. 14, at 10.30 p.m.) The League of Nations Association of Japan has issued a statement, endorsing the Disarmament Conference, and asking the League of Nations Associations in various countries to endorse the move ment. A desire is expressed for a complete understanding among the Powers on Far Eastern questions. A strong international organisation is needed to back up the Disarmament Conference, which may result in the League being recognised by all nations.—A. v and N.Z. Cable. PUBLICITY FACILITIES. COUNCIL OF PRESSMEN FORMED. WASHINGTON, September 13. (Received Sept. 14, at 10.50 p.m.) A Council of 14 Washington correspondents has been formed to advise and assist the Government officials in arranging publicity facilities regarding the Disarmament Conference. They will consult shortly with Mr Hughes (Secretary of State) and President Harding concerning the Allotment of press space, and the housing, entertainment, and credentials of visiting correspondents.—A. and N.Z. Cable NAVAL LIMITATION. JAPANESE EXPERT’S VIEWS. TOKIO, September 13. (Received Sept. 14, at 11.10 p.m.) The Asahi Shimbun says that the Foreign Office naval and military experts have decided the ground principles of naval limitation to which Japan can agree—namely, that Japan •will neither suspend previously .arranged building programmes nor reduce the strength of her navy independently Japan believes it is against the fundamental spirit of the Disarmament Conference that any Power should possess superior forces sufficient to obtain Victory over any Power or Powers. The Powers therefore should reduce armaments in the same degree as the country having the smallest naval strength among the Powers concerned. The latter should not establish any naval base in the Pacific. The Asahi Shimbun adds that it has also been decided that the present building programme should be extended over a longer number of years than was originally contemplated.—A and N.Z. Cable.