Washington Conference

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 170572, 4 August 1921, Page 7

Washington Conference

NO PRELIMINARY POW-WOW

BRITAIN’S REPRESENTATIVE,

By EZeotric Talegr&ph—Copyright. AUMcraJutn and N.Z. O&bla Anjociauo*.

.Received 5.5 p.m. August 3. LONDON, August 2. Mr Hughes has booked his passage by tiio Ormonde. News of tiio abandonment of the Pacilie Conference was made public today.

it appears now that tiio L'liied States was never keen on holding a preliminary conference at tamaon, Washington, or anywhere. This in conjunction with Japan’s reply prompted the decision to discuss all the phases at one conference. It is understood that the powers to he present are Britain, Italy, Prance, Japan, China and the United States. As far as is known the Dominion Prime Ministers will not be afforded the opportunity to state their case individually. Bach has focussed the main points of his contention, which will bo co-ordinated in the Imperial manifesto.

Mr Lloyd George goes to Scotland at the end of August, returning a month later, and is likely to leave Soutihmnrptou. for Washington, about October 22. NOVEMBER 11. It is considered certain that November 11 will be fixed at the date of the Conference, although it is believed eacli Power will have only one representative.

The delegations arc expected to he large, including experts, on all subjects, as a great amount of detail is required.

LLOYD GEORGE’S QUALIFICATIONS.

One Prime Minister said to-day that Mr Lloyd George, having sat through the whole of the Imperial Conference, listening to every word the delegates said about the foreign affairs and the Pacific questions, ho would possess a perfect and unequalled grip of the Dominion standpoint, which was particularly fortunate at this juncture.

QUESTIONS FOB DISCUSSION. JAPAN’S ITEMS. Received 10.35 p.m., August 3. NEW YORK, August 2. The “New- York Times” Washington correspondent reports that all suggesfor a preliminary conference on disarmament, at first made by England and Japan, nave been withdrawn, and diplomatic exchanges are now in progress concerning the dato. The United States is hopeful that the Conference will meet not later than November.

Despatches received in Honolulu from Tokio state that Japan will insist that the Disarmament! Conference discuss the Mexican-American questions in cases where these are not settled at the preliminary conference. EIGHTEEN JOINTS. TOKIO, August 2. Tho newspaper “Asahi Shimbuu” states that besides Shantung, Yap, and tho occupation of Siberia, Japan will insist that 18 other matters come under the head of issues to be settled or pertaining to a single country during the Ear Eastern conference. The newspaper adds that the Government is uncertain how these will ho received by other participants in the conference.