ARMAMENT CONFERENCE

Southland Times, Issue 19330, 15 September 1921, Page 5

ARMAMENT CONFERENCE

JAPANESE PRINCIPLE STATED EQUALITY OF ACTION. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) ■ (Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.) TOKIO, September 13. (Received September 14, 11.10 p.m.) The Asahi Shimbun says that the Foreign Office and naval and military experts have decided upon the ground principles of naval limitation to which Japan can agree, namely-. Japan will neither suspend previously arranged building programmes nor reduce the strength of the navy independently. Japan believes it is against the fundamental spirit of the Armament Conference that any Power should possess superior forces sufficient to obtain victory over any Power or Powers. The Powers therefore should reduce their armaments in the same degree as the country having the smallest navy strength among the Powers concerned. The latter should not establish any naval base in the Pacific.

The Asahi adds that, it has also been dec*" the present building programme should be extended over a longer number of years than was originally contemplated. The League of Nations Association of Japan has issued a statement endorsing the Armament Conference and asking the League of Nations Associations in the various countries to endorse the movement, expressing a desire for a complete understanding among the Powers on Far Eastern questions. A strong international organisation is needed to back up reduction in armaments. The Conference may result in the League being recognised by all nations.

SENATOR UNDERWOOD’S VIEWS. NEW YORK, September 13. (Received September 14, 10.30 p.m.) According to a message from Alabama, Senator Underwood has announced his acceptance of appointment as a delegate to the Armament Conference. He personally favours publicity at the Conference, but he must abide by the delegates’ decision. He believes that the biggest task will be convincing foreign countries of the effectiveness and necessity of agreement to disarm, and is hopeful of such an agreement, which he believes will have an immediate and favourable reaction on the economic world. PUBLICITY ARRANGEMENTS. WASHINGTON, September 13. (Received September 14, 11.10 p.m.) A council of fourteen Washington correspondents has been formed to advise and assist the Government officials in arranging publicity facilities regarding the Armament Conference. They will consult shortly with Mr Hughes and President Harding concerning the allotment of press space, housing, entertainment, and the credentials of visiting correspondents.