DISARMAMENT

Otago Witness, Issue 3522, 13 September 1921, Page 15

DISARMAMENT

AMERICAN PACIFIC FLEET. : NEW FORK, September 6. The _ American fleet in the Pacific will : start its autumn manoeuvres to-morrow. : Never since the war has so much secrecy 1 been shown about the fleet’s movement's and the fighting strength of the navy ' now in the Pacific, where Dreadnoughts, equipped with the latest weapons, will 1 try-their fighting powers. Bombing ex- 1 periments similar to those in the Atlantic will be tried under other conditions. The 1 Pacific fleet’s work will have -an important bearing on naval matters. Bill APPROPRIATION ASKED FOR. WASHINGTON, September 7. It is stated that, despite the Disarmament Conference, the Navy Department has submitted estimates to the Budget Director asking for an appropriation for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1922. equal to that of the present year, amounting to about 410,000,000 dollars. MR MASSEY INTERVIEWED. OTTAWA. September 7. | Fir Massey, in an interview at Cobalt ! (Ontario), said that the next war would be fought with the Pacific as the centre ! of activities. The Disarmament Confer- I ence at \\ ashington would be incomplete j without the representation of New Zea- j land and Australia, but owing to the fact j that the Parliaments of both these do- j minions would be sitting while the conference was in session, it was doubtful if either would be in a position to send delegates. Mr Massey added that he favours the renewal of the Anglo-Japan-e c Alliance. FULL PUBLICITY FAVOURED. TOKIO, September 7. A remarkable change occurred in popular and Governmental opinion concerning the Disarmament Conference. At first the announcement came as a surprise, and therefore aroused distrust and opposition. A difference in the attitude is now discernible, and the press, instead of attacking the proposal, is now offering suggestions for its conduct. The general v, isli is that the conference should be conducted publicly, it being stressed that Japan has nothing to fear from open and frank dis- - cussions. The military influence which earlier moved against the conference in full force is now saying little. Prince Yamagata, of the Imperial Household, ;s the real power behind the throne. He is strongly optimistic regarding the outcome of the conference. JAPANESE REPRESENTATION. j TOKIO, September 7. Cabinet met, and failed to decide the appointment of a delegate to a Disarmament Conference. It is reported that China has declined to act,

1 NEW ZEALAND’S FIRM ATTITUDE. OTTAWA, September 8. Mr Massev. in an interview, said New Zealand’s determination is fixed, and she will not allow any dictation regarding who will enter that country, no matter what the Disarmament Conference may say or I do. He added : “New Zealand will not change her attitude, which is well known. Japan may bring up the question of Oriental immigration, but as far as New Zealand is concerned there will be no discussion on that subject at the conference. We still claim the inalienable right to choose our fellow citizens.” Mr Massey regretted the inability of himself and Mr Hughes to attend the conference. He said that no countries in the world were so much interested in tin future of the Pacific as Australia and New Zealand. He was strongly of the opinion that an understanding between the United States. Japan, and the British Empire was more likely to lead to the solution of the Pacific problem than anything else he could think of. JAPANESE PROPOSALS. TOKIO, September 7. The Asashin states that the naval experts of Japan are preparing a definite naval reduction plan for submission to the Disarmament Conference. Japan will announce her willingness to reduce the eight capital ships’ programme to eight battleships and six cruisers. This is the minimum limit for the safety of the Empire, and would be adopted, provided Great Britain and the United States made similar reductions. Japan will ask the United States to suspend the present three-year naval programme, and will insist on the abandonment of all fortifications in the Pacific Islands. ORGANISED LABOUR’S PROTEST. LONDON, September 8. The Cardiff Conference adopted a resolution protesting against the British Government’s decision to carry out an extensive programme of armaments, and asking for the suspension of all preparations for war until the Washington Conference is over. Mr J. 11. Thomas, ALP., in moving the resolution, claimed the right cf organised Labour to be represented at V ashington. Great Britain had to admit that within two years of the signing of the Versailles Treaty she had laid down four battleships at a cost of from £30,000.000 to £40,000,000. It was a mockery and a farce. Were they net entitled to ask whom she was building against? The Anglo-Japanese Treaty had caused more friction with America than anything else. The Americans rightly concluded that in the event of war Britain could only take sides against America, No one could conceive of circumstances warranting a rupture between Britain and America. Britain must go to Washington with clean hands, and set an example by not proceeding with the construction of battleships. EX-SERVICEMEN A 3 DELEGATES. WASHINGTON. September 8. President Harding, replying to a letter from Mr Jeffers, member of the House of Representatives, asking that ex-servicemen should be appointed to the American delegation to the Disarmament Conference, declared this was impossible although highly desirable. The President added that tlie delegation will be ’limited to four men, including a representative of the Congressional minority, and he pointed out that the delegates must be highly trained and have a knowledge of diplomacy, while ex-servicemen would only

have a slight experience. It is understood that besides Air Hughes (Secretary of State) and Senator Lodge, the delegation will probably include Mr O. W. Underwood and Air Elihu Root, AMER[CAN I)ELEGATES. WASHINGTON, September 9. It is announced that Air Elihu Root and Air Underwood have been appointed delegates to the Disarmament Conference. SOUTHERN CHINA HOLDS ALOOF. NEW YORK. September 10. The Southern Chinese Government and Russia .yvill not be represented at the Disarmament Conference although Russian questions will be discussed. The American Federation of Labour has announced that it intends arousing the citizens of United States in favour of disarmament and backing up the Government in its leadership of the movement. The Central Labour Unions throughout the country will hold mass meetings and educational campaigns.