PACIFIC PROBLEM.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 October 1921, Page 5

PACIFIC PROBLEM.

ALLIANCE with japan. BARRIER TO SOLUTION. “PASSED ITS USEFULNESS.” By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Oct. 28, 7.25 p.m. Hongkong, Oct. 27. Lord Northcliffe, interviewed, stated he had gradually come to the conclusion that the Anglo-Japanese alliance had passed its usefulness. The purpose of the Washington Conference was to reach a mutual agreement, but the United States was handicapped by an arrangement already made between Japan and Britain regarding China, which was the chief problem of the Pacific. He added: “The Anglo-Japanese alliance undoubtedly was the dominating factor which now prevents an unfettered attempt by Britain, Japan and the United States to solve the problems o-f the Pcafic, and the prolongation of the alliance only serves to irritate public and official opinion in the United States, and humiliates China. The prestige of Britain would not be affected by a reconciliation between the diverging interests of Japan and the United States. China at present cannot give satisfactory national guarantees, and therefore it is urgently necessary to make international assistance to China a practical possibility.” Lord Northcliffe concluded: “There car. be no solution of Pacific problems which does not rest on the solid foundation of Anglo-American friendship and co-operation. Unfortunately the Anglo-Japanese alliance has been prolonged beyond the point where it is understood by Americans or liked by Chinese.”—Reuter Service.