ARMS CONFERENCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18468, 1 February 1922, Page 5

ARMS CONFERENCE

THE PACIFIC ISLANDS. FORTIFICATIONS AND NAVAL BASES. • * PRINCIPAL POINTS OF AGREEMENT Press- Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. WASHINGTON, January 30. Japan’s reply regarding the Pacific Islands’ fortifications has been received. It is understood that it gives general approval of the plan which was agreed upon by Mr Hughes, Mr Balfour, and Admiral Kato. It is learnt that the principal points of agreement are that the United States, Great Britain, and Japan agree not to fortify or to keep the status quo regarding fortifications and naval bases in all their insular possessions in the Pacific, with certain exceptions. The following islands are specially listed for the maintenance of the status quo: Belonging to the United States: Guam Smd the Philippines. To Great Britain : Hongkong. To Japan: Bonin, Kyukyu, Osima, For?nosa, and Escadores. The following will be listed as being exempt from the status quo agreement: United States: Hawaii and probably the United States coast. Great Britain: Australia. New Zealand, Tasmania, Macquarie Island, Norfolk Island, and that part of New Guinea which is not governed by the mandate. Japan’s exempted islands comprise Japan proper, with the exception of those islands listed in the status quo agreement. •—A. and N.Z. Cable. THE MARTIAL SPIRIT. ESSENTIAL TO PEACEFUL EXPANSION. NEW YORK, January 30. (Received Jan. 30, at 8.20 p.m.) The New York Times Washington correspondent says that a report from Tokio states that the Minister of War stated : ** While it is matter of great satisfaction to everyone that the Washington Conference is being crowned with success, a serious mistake is being made by some political leaders in Japan in their efforts to disregard the martial spirit of the nation, which is essential to peaceful expansion. It is wrong to consider the martial spirit as incompatible with the limitation of armaments. Modem warfare demands national industry besides sheila and bayonets. Therefore if a nation is to advance and hold its own in the industrial competition that must necessarily follow the establishment of world peace, it is the martial spirit that must be expanded to a degree equivalent to the actual reduction in armaments.”—A. and N.Z. Cable. NAYT TREATY COMPLETE. . 4SUBMARINES AND POISON GAS. FAR EASTERN QUESTIONS. (From the Special Representative of the Australian Pbess Association.) WASHINGTON, January 30. (Received Jan. 31, at 9.20 p.m.) The Navy Treaty is now complete, and will be presented at a plenary session on February 1, which will probably also adopt the Root resolution proposing the adoption of international law barring the use of submarines and also the use of poison gas; and perhaps a certain resolution by the Far Eastern Committee affecting Chinese questions. It is also hoped by Mr Hughes that there will be an announcement of a settlement of the Shantung question. It is expected that there will be one more plenary session, probably next week, for the announcement of the Nine-Power Treaty covering Far Eastern matters, and then the final adjournment. It is pointed out that Article 19 does not affect the rights of the French and the Dutch in regard to their island possessions in the Pacific, while the former German islands of which mandates are held by Japan, Australia, and New Zealand cannot be fortified under the League convenant. The article likewise does not affect whatever marine changes are desired in the islands of the Pacific for commercial purposes.—A. and N.Z. Cable. COMPLETE SHANTUNG SETTLEMENT, PRESIDENT HARDING’S PLAN THE BASIS. (From the Special Representative of the Australian Press Association.) WASHINGTON, January 31. (Received Jan. 31, at 10 p.m.) After a seven hours’ session the Japanese and Chinese announced a complete Shantung settlement. It is understood that the basis of the settlement is the plan President Harding suggested, providing that China shall pay for the railroad in Treasury notes, and that Japanese experts bo retained. Dr Wellington Koo stated that another meeting will be held to-morrow. It is confidently expected that the full phraseology of the settlement will then be determined. —A. and N.Z. Cable.