MENACE OF JAPAN.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 December 1924, Page 7

MENACE OF JAPAN.

WHITES SHOULD UNITE. CONFERENCE PROPOSED. DEFENCE POLICY VITAL By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright, Received Dec- 18, 9.50 p.m. Washington, Dec. 18. Representative Britten, a member of the naval affairs committee of the House of Representatives, speaking at a public dinner, announced that he will to-day introduce a resolution in the House, requesting President Coolidge to call a conference of all the white races in the Pacific. The dinner was given by the Pacific Coast Chambers of Commerce in honour of congressmen from Oregon, Washington and California. Mr. Britten said: "Japan’s open preparation for war is the reason why the people surrounding the Pacific should have a definite defensive policy for their mutual protection, and the quicker that is done the better. Australia has already indicated her desire to participate in any movement, which might be organised for her future protection and benefit, and it might be well to call this conference either in Australia or Canada or even at Honolulu in order to take it away from the political machinations of the city of Washington.

"Influential Japanese newspapers have recently objected to the manoeuvres of the United States navy in the vicinity of Hawaii, Australia or the Phillippnes, notwithstanding the fact that the Japanese navy was manoeuvring constantly in water many miles east and south of Japanese territory.

“A conference should be called for the purpose of promoting the solidarity of the white peoples of the Pacific. It should discuss not only ways and means of promoting a better economic, commercial and political understanding between the said nations, but naturally give serious consideration to the national defence bf each country. The fact that white peoples have agreed to support each other in the event of emergency should have the greatest psychological effect upon Japan, and probably do more good than the expenditure of millions of dollars. I believe the world will agree that no single Englishspeaking or even white nation .bordering the Pacific should ever be compelled to meet Japan in war without the support of all the other white nations bordering th e Pacific.” Mr. Britten added that if America did not call such a conference, he hoped Australia or British Columbia would. The attitude of Japan before the League of Nations and in Japan itself the opposition to certain cherished principles of America provided sufficient justification for the introduction of his resolution in the House, he declared.