DISARMAMENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3525, 4 October 1921, Page 19

DISARMAMENT.

WASHINGTON C(INFERENCE. CONSULTATIVE BODY SUGGESTED. LONDON, September 26. The uncertainty regarding who will represent Great Britain at the Washington Conference strengthens the case for the representation of the dominions. In such circumstances it becomes imperative that something after the nature of a consultative body, comprising members of overseas Cabinets, with a full knowledge of their desires, should attend at Washington and keep the. British delegation in the closest touch with their views. The fact that Portugal has been invited to attend the conference because of her interests in Macao is strongly contrasted with the exclusion of Canada, Australia, and New Zealand from direct representation, when their Pacific interests are of paramount importance to their existence. PACIFIC DEFENCE. LONDON, (September 26. Mr David Pell, who recently visited New York and Washington, was interviewed by the Australian Press Association. He said that when he discussed the Pacific with Senator Borah and other leaders at Washington on the basis of a readjustment of the burden of Pacific defence by common action bv the United States, Great Britain, and the dominions, it was pointed out that though all had individual viewpoints, it was impossible for them to remain divided, owing to severe economic pressure compelling them to come together and co-operate in the naval policy of the Pacific. Mr Fell states that the senators whom he met favoured working for a reduction of America’s gigantic burden by co-operation with the British Empire instead of by endeavouring to outbuild her. Thev were in full sym-pat-hv with the British dominions in the Pacific, whose interests are identical with their own, and whose people they like. INITIATIVE DEVOLVES UPON AMERICA. WASHINGTON, September 28. The exchange of views between the State Department and the Powers wdiich have been invited to the Disarmament Conference makes it evident that the initiative will devolve largely upon the United States. Diplomats intimate that the Foreign Governments expect America to present formulae for a solution of the armament reduction problems and the outstanding Par Eastern questions. The United States proposals are likely to form the basis for the consideration of the various problems confronting the Conference. It is understood that a meeting of the American delegation will take place next week for the purpose of mapping out proposals. INTERNATIONAL CON! EPENCE GENEVA, September 29. The commission on disarmament adopted Lord Robert Cecil’s report on disarmament, which the Assembly will be asked to consider. By the end of the week it is expected to constitute the League’s programme in this matter, and when approved by next year’s Assembly it will be presented in the form ot an international treaty which all the nations will be asked to sign Lord Robert Cecil s report proposed the summoning of an international conference in 1922 for the control of the private manufacture and the traffic in arms. The report also proposes a renewal of the request that all nations agree not to increase their naval and military budgets for the next tw T o years over the budgets of the current year. DEMOCRATS SUPPORT PRESIDENT. WASHINGTON, September 29. The Democratic minority in the Senate unanimously supported President Hardinv's Disarmament Conference, and carried a resolution hoping that the fullest possible, measure of success would attend the conference. JAPAN’S POLICY. TOKIO, September 29. The appointment of Prince Tokugawa as head of the Japanese Washington delegation meets with national favour, and gives the Opposition Party no ground for attack upon the Government. The Opposition press, however, attacks Prince Tokugawa, saying that lie is too cowardly to go to Washington himself and accept the responsibility for the decisions. A Japanese official interviewed, stated that as part of the fundamental policy at the Washington Conference Japan would not permit the scrapping of the Twentyone Demands Agreement with China nor tolerate interfei’ence in the Shantung question, Japan considering these as accomplished facts concerning Japan and China directly. However, in a general discussion on Far Eastern matters Japan was willing to explain frankly her position. It is understood that the Government is preparing special instructions to the Japanese delegates to the Washington Conference concerning the limitations of armament;. It is indicated that the building of eight battleships and eight battle cruisers originated in the idea that this programme was necessary for national defence, but Japan recognises that the prospect has lost its original significance, and is therefore willing to make such curtailment ns will make her strong enough to maintain peace in the Far East, the curtailment being hv agreement with the Powers in the spirit of mutual concession and compromise. CHINA’S DELEGATION. PEKIN, September 29. China’s delegation to the Washington Conference has left for Shanghai eri route to Washington. The Foreign Minister, Mr Yen, did not accompany the delegation as was expected, stating that he

would follow if China’s Shantung policy were determined soon enough for him to reach the conference before the opening date. AMERICAN AMBASSADOR’S HOPES. TOKIO, September 30. The American Ambassador (Mr Warren), in a speech before the AmericanJapan Society, said the coming Washington Conference would have confidence by common consent among the sovereign ; States on which the United States was not seeking to impose its will. President Harding was rather seeking a frank discussion with a view to bringing about a declaration of principles, by the nations participating, which would prevent class conflicting interests and remove the causes for armaments. It would seem that the conference would furnish an opportunity for a declaration of principles regarding Pacific problems, ensuring the development of the legitimate national interests of the Pacific Powers, and would lead to a path of co-operation in friendly commerce. JAPAN ACCEPTS AGENDA. TOKIO, October 1. The newspaper Asahi Shimbun declares that the Japanese Cabinet has decided to accept in principle the American suggestions for the agenda of the Washington Conference. BELGIUM AND HOLLAND INVITED. WASHINGTON, October 1. All the principal Powers have assented to the participation of Belgium and Holland in the Armament Conference. Invitations will be despatched shortly. It is understood that Portugal's participation will also be approved. SUPPORT FROM JAPAN. TOKIO, October 1. Madame Kajiko Kaiima, who is 89 years old, and who is president of the Japanese Women’s Betterment Association, which has a membershio of 500,000, has left for America, carrying a message from Japanese womanhood, which prays ior the success of ihe Washington Conference and the dawn of a new epoch and a higher and better understanding between the nations. On Armistice Dav, Madame Kajima will distribute handbills in Washington, entitled “A Messenger of Goodness and Peace,” declaring that Japanese women have a strong aversion to war, and believe in the Conference’s supreme importance. INTERNATTONAL LABOTTR. LONDON, September 28. The agenda paper of the International Labour Organisation of the League of Nations, which is meeting at Geneva, includes a discussion of measures providing against ,unemployment amongst agricultural ’abourers, the disinfection of an-thrax-infected wool, the orovision of a weekly rest day in industrial and commercial employment, and compulsory medical examination of children. AUSTRALIA IN EARNEST. JEN EVA, October 1. Mr Bruce (Australia), opening the debate on the Disarmament Report, said Australia was ready to sign the St. Germain protocol regarding tiie manufacture of and trafficking in arms and munitions. In Australia only the Government could control the manufacture of munitions. The mad race in armaments would surely lead to ruin if unchecked. If Australia, with a 12,009 mile coastline to defend, in fear of attack was involved in perpetual defensive preparations she could not trade with the rest of the world. Australia did not desire perpetual preparation for war. She wanted to see serious steps taken towards the gradual reduction of armaments. WHITE SLAVE TRAFFIC. LONDON, September 29. The Daily Telegraph's Geneva representative states that the French delegates at the League of Nations again attempted to delay the decision on the white slave traffic on September 20, when the Murray report was debated. M. Lanataux demanded a delay of four mouths to enable the Governments to discuss the convention which was based on the Murray report. Mr A. J. Balfour declared that whatever France did Great Britain would sign. He described the convention as unprecedented and the work of 64 States. He warned France that if the work had to be repeated the League’s authority would Ire weakened. The Murray Convention was adopted unanimous!v.