DISARMAMENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3519, 23 August 1921, Page 18

DISARMAMENT.

WASHINGTON CONFER EXCE. LONDON, August 15. The Riga correspondent of The Times reports that the Moscow papers state that the Soviet is considering the question of summoning a conference of the Chinese, Mongolian, and Far Eastern Soviet Republics who are in opposition to the Washington Conference, with the object of defending their common interests against the predatory Imperialism of Japan, America, Great Britain, and France. The conference will discuss the questions of Customs, transport, tariffs, trade, rivers, and shipping, and the handing over of the Chinese Eastern Railway to China. DOMINION S’ REPRESENTATION. LONDON, August 16. The Australian Press Association interviewed Mr Massey with reference to the American proposal to include dominion representatives in the British delegation to the Washington Conference. Mr Massey regretted that it would be impossible for him to leave New Zealand to attend tne conference. lie expected that unusually important business would be dealt with at- the forthcoming session which would demand his unremitting attention and constant attendance. C IT IX USE I > F. LEG ATI O N. PEKIN. August 16. The Chinese delegation to the Armament Conference headed bv the Foreign Minister, Mr \en ; will consist of o_i members, including one chief and four associate delegates, 10 councillors, and lo clerks. TIIE AMERICAN COMMISSION. WASHINGTON, August 16. It is announced that Senator Lodge will be a member of the American Commission at the Disarmament Conference. ADMIRAL KATO NAVAL DELEGATE. TOKIO, August 17. The Japanese anticipate the acceptance of President Harding's formal invitation to the Washington Disarmament Conference will be forwarded a tew days after its submission to a Cabinet Council. Admiral Kato, who iias been selected as Japan’s naval delegate, says that tnc Japanese naval authorities have been studying disarmament smee Senator Borah’s resolution, which presaged President Harding's proposal. AMERICAN WOMEN DELEGATES. WASHINGTON. Augu-t 17. It is understood that Pres.dent Harding, replying to a delegation from the National League of Women Voters, who asked for the appointment of women delegates at the Armament Conference, said he was very anxious to have the infhience and intuition of women utilised at this gre.it confer- ■ r i . . i . , , 1 .1 1,,, , 1 . . 1

Senator Lodge severely criticised the reductions in the army and navv appropriations by Congress, and declared that he would earnestly work for a reduction in armaments, but he would insist on a general reduction by all the nations. THE PACIFIC. WASHINGTON, August 19. It is now found that American officialdom agrees with Mr Lloyd George that the settlement of Pacific affairs must precede disarmament. It is elated that the Pacific understanding rests entirely on a recognition of the proper principles and policies, after which peace is regarded as a simple matter of international cooperation. The American Government’s idea of the principles cm which an understanding should be based is fair treatment for Siberia and China, and equal commercial opportunities for all nations. It is regarded as certain that America will not join the Anglo-Japanese Alliance at present, maintaining that under the above understanding such am alliance would be unnecessary.