THE WASHINGTON CONFERENGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18549, 9 May 1922, Page 9

THE WASHINGTON CONFERENGE

SIR JOHN SALMOND’S RETURN. AN INTERESTING INTERVIEW. (Pm United Paw AbnoouttokJ WELLINGTON, May 8. “I am satisfied that over and above the formal results embodied in it the Treaties Conference has to a very, notable degree promoted the peace and welfare of the world by inducing mutual trust and confidence between the three great Powers —the British Empire, Japan, and the United States.” These are the words of Sir John Salmond, New Zealand's representative at .the Washington Conference. He returned to Wellington 'by the Ma.nuka to-day, and made use of the words quoted, when interviewed by a press representative. Sir John left New Zealand in October, and reached Washington just in time to take part, as a representative'of the dominion, at the improssivq ceremony of burying the unknown American soldier at the National Cemetery at Arlington. "The following day,” said Sir John, "the Washington Conference was opened, and Mr Hughes, the American Secretary of State, made his dramatic announcement of the courageous and statesmanlike proposals of the American Government for a seduction of the world's fighting fleets, and the cessation cf naval competition. The discussion of these proposals, and questions relating to the Far East continued at Washington for no less than three months, and resulted in the signing of a series of treaties so important and so significant as to make the Washington Conference a notable event in history. It was a dramatic occasion when oh the last dav of the Conference, at a public sitting, the representatives of the nine vSlates, represented at Washington put their hands and seals to these groat international documents The whole British delegation, comprising representatives of the United Kingdom. Canada, Australia, India, and New Zealand, co-operated throughout the Conference with absolute harmony, and with no serious difference, of opinion. Mr Balfour/ by virtue of his. personality, ability, and prestige, exercised a predominant influence, not merely over the British dele, gation itself, but over the whole conference, and I am glad to see his services to (he British Empire, and. indeed, to the world, have since been recognised with distin-, guished honours which have been conferred upon him.” -• “Throughout the Conference we received from the American Government and people unremitting kindness and courtesy, and the utmost harmony in all matters between representaivcs of Empire and those of the United Stales. I mn satisfied that over and above the formal results embodied in the Treaties, the Conference has to a very notable degree promoted the peace and welfare of the world by inducing mutual trust and confidence between the three great Powers—the British Empire, Japan, and the United States of America. These arc the Powers which dominate the Pacific Ocean, and in whose harmony and co-operation the Australasian colonies are so deeply and immediately interested.” While in America Sir; John addressed the New Aork Bar and Harvard University. On his arrival in England he had- the ‘honour, as the representative of New Zealand at the Washington Conference. of being received in private audience by the King. 1