THE WORLD'S ARMAMENTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16582, 15 November 1921, Page 2

THE WORLD'S ARMAMENTS.

EFFORTS AT LIMITATION. Bj Tole'jrra.pli—Ptobs Association—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. WASHINGTON. November 18. The announcement by the Japanese delegates that they are prepared to dis- : cuss disarmament apart from Far East- j ern questions has created some puzzle- i merit, though their attitude is logical j enough. Japan’s position in the Pacific « remains relatively the same if all three ] Powers Toduce. their naval strength proportionately. They certainly are satisfied with that part of Mr Hughes’s programme, which already is becoming known as tho “ five-*ve-three plan '’ as describing the suggested tonnage proportion of the three Powers. Japan's attitude towards United States fortification? iu the Pacific i? more doubtful, j It is known that some sections of pub- I lie opinion there regard the strengthening of the Philippines and Guam as threatening Japanese security. While mem hers of the delegation refuse to discuss the matter possibly the question will be used for bargaining purposes.. The Chinese problem is still more difficult. Japan maintaining that the rial China consists of the original eighteen provinces, excluding Mongolia and Manchuria. She is prepared to go far to secure a settlement of the upon door and other contingent problems towards guaranteeing the integrity of that China, but present indications are that she regards Manchuria quite differently. Admiral Kato already hinted at something to this effect when be told the Press yesterday that Japan is prepared to discuss disarmament independently of other questions, provided Mr Hughes does not raise questions bearing directly on the political situation in tho Far East.” The Australian and New Zealand Press Association has excellent grounds for stating that Japan will not raise tho question of racial etfdality unless tho attitude of other members of the conference towards what she considers matters of domestic policy forces her to use it ns a last resort. Mr Hughes’s sensational action in laying all the disarmament cards on the table yesterday is provoking much speculation whether Tuesday’s plenary meeting of the conference will find him also ready with a crjt and dried plan for the settlement of all Pacific problems. American sentiment, which is now acclaiming him and his proposals, is ready to believe this, but more sober observers prefer to think it likely that he will rest on his laurels before adventuring into the realms of complexities surrounding the Anglo-Jtipanese alliance and China. Regarding the former it is impossible to avoid the conviction that an immense body of American public opinion is antagonistic to its renewal, whereas Japan wants continuance while Britain, in view of Japan's attitude during the war. supports ! Japan. OPINIONS OF EXPERTS. LONDON, November 14. The 'Daily Chronicle ” interviewed expert* regarding President Harding's proposals. Admiral Sir Percy Scott says:— - u Tho principal matter in question is whether or not we shall build more warships. Owing to the changed conditions of naval and aerial warfare, building battleships is insane policy.” \ ice-Admiral Mark Kerr considers the proposal that capital ship tonnage should bo used os the measurement of the relative strengths of tho United States, Japan and Britain affords a good sound baeis for discussion. Ho agrees with the suggested abandonj ment of all capital shins on building programmes. | Admiral Sir Cyprian Bridge says: America’s proposals do not seem to take note of the. conditions of the British Empire. Insufficient allowance is made for the naval interests of India and Australia, with their enormous coastlines and maritime trade. Australia is very near ten millions of Asiatics, and the proposal is not acceptable without, a good deal of discussion.” EFFECT ON INDUSTRY. LONDON, November 14. j It been pointed out to the AusI tralian and New Zealand Press Association that the Washington proposals would have a far-reaching effect on great industrial firms. Twelve such in Great Britain have an authorised capi- > tal of £48.000,000, and employ normally nearly uuo hundred thousand I people, many of whom would have to I seek employment in other industries. AGREEMENT CERTAIN. ADMIRAL KATO S DECLARATION. W ASH INGTON , Novemher 14. Admiral Kato, in an interview, stated:—“Up to tho present -Japan bad fears which caused her to continue building, but th-; navy has always been meant for defensive purposes. It has never been the policy of Japan to attempt to rival either of the two greatest navies of the world I am now happy to believe that whatever fears might have been entertained can well be dissipated by free, frank interchanges of views at the present conference. The public pronouncements by (lie Secretary of State at the inaugural session have clarified the situation. In the meantime assurances from us are unnecessary. The great distance which lies between* our shores and America, and the supremacy of the United States in wealth, size and resources, make needless any words wo could pledge. With fears on both sides obliterated, agreement, so far as Japan is concern-

ed, cannot fail to come. It is with this view that Japan’s delegation will proceed to detailed examination of the American proposals, which show convincing sincerity of purpose *’ A CAUTIOUS NOTE. LONDON, November 14. Tho Washington correspondent of the “Daily News” states that refusal of America’s naval challenge by one or tw© of the nations to which it is addressed as certainly means Avar a» acceptance means the initiation of a new undreamed-of era of hope. London and Tokio must speak, hut a cautious note must be sounded. To launch in tho first hour of the conference, not merely principles, hut a scheme elaborated in every detail, seems questionable statesmanship. What was wanted was not an American plan for reduction in each individual navy, hut a. conference plan. “I fear,” he- says. 11 that a. more difficult situation has been created than is quite realised. 1 ’ AUSTRALIAN LABOUR MESSAGEMELBOURNE, November 14. Th© president of the Australian Labour Party dispatched a cable to President Harding to he read at the Disarmament Conference:—“Meetings of Australian citizens held in many districts carried a motion urging immediate disarmament of oil nations, and settlement of disputes by international arbitration-”