Britannic Congress.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 170572, 3 August 1921, Page 7

Britannic Congress.

THE PACIFIC QUESTION. AIANY NOTES EXCHANGED. By Electric Telegraph —Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, August 1. In connexion with tlio suggested Pacific Conference, despatches were exchanged hourly lor over a. week between the Far East, America and London, the phases changing constantly until even the most interested became befogged. Japan’s official view was that tho Pacific Conference should he held perhaps at London, perhaps at Washington, at which Air Hughes, Air A.lassey and Air Aieighen should be afforded opportunity of stating their case, hut the week-end developments indicated that ‘those gentlemen might attend and speak, hut not vote. When the delegates met to-day and resumed, details only required arrangement for a Pacific discussion, hut ail the Prime Alinisters repudiated any knowledge of special arrangements, authorising them to attend, especially in view of Friday’s meeting, at which, as cabled, indications, wore, given that only one representative of the Empire would he summoned. The meeting was quite unprepared for the dramatic announcement that the Pacific Conference would not bo held at all.

The position now is that the Empire view will lie put hy one delegate. The Imperial Conirrence lavours Air Lloyd George, who hoard the whole of the' foreign a fairs discussion, and also the Anglo-Japanese Treaty, naval defence. and the Far Eastern debates, so gaining the host, inside knowledge of the Dominions’ viewpoint.

CONCLUSION ON TUESDAY

The Imperial Conference nominally concludes on Tuesday. General Smuts, the Afalmraoa of Cutcli and other members of these delegations aro arranging to depart immediately. Air Hughes and Mr Alassey cannot connect with steamers earlier than August 24. Hie interval will he occupied with minor matters ot especial interest. . . Air Hughes adheres to his decision to journey hy way of Suez, probably joining tiie steamer at a . Mediterranean' port, alter the Animus ceremonies, and -settling commercial matters as France requested. Tho continued sittings will enable liiin to face many problems sull untouched. COALMEN 1C ATI ON S. !

To-day the Conference discussed the Wireless and Air Communications! Committees’ reports. After a long debate, neither mutter was'decided. Postal opinion strongly favours the Committee s scheme, and the majority of members of the Conference support its adoption. | Air Hughes opposed the 2000 miles radius plan at every stage, and is now continuing his opposition, contending that this idea was acceptable years ago, but nothing short of direct comimoiieution ■conic:to modem opinion. if the. sciiemo is to be exploited, let it be something unlikely "to become out of date quickly. Dnect communication between Bntisli and tlic Dominions is essential. In view or this probability no decision was reachpel pending further information. WASHINGTON CONFERENCE. ITALY ACCEPTS. R.OAIE, A ngiist 1. Signor Bonomi announced in . the Senate Italy’s acceptance of the Washington Conference. NO SEPARATE ATEETING. LONDON, August 1. Tho Prime Alinisters were definitely (old to-night that there would be no separate Pacific Conference, and that ’the Far East- and disarmament questions would be discussed together.