ARMAMENT LIMITATION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16585, 18 November 1921, Page 2

ARMAMENT LIMITATION.

FIXING THE SIZE OF SUBMARINES, By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. WASHINGTON, November 15. With both committees sitting secret* Iv comment and discussion to-dav turned chiefly to the question of reduction of submarine tonnage. Some technical circles in Washington argue that the reduction proposed by Mr Balfour is too drastic, using the familiar arguments regarding defence of coast line and harbours in support of the United States case for ninety thousand tons, but it is difficult to see how the. United States position can be maintained. Those who are asking for disarmament cannot I consistently refuse to accede to a request for a greater reduction than they themselves propose now. especially seeing that America was the original objector to submarine warfare, as voiced by President Wilson at Versailles. Taking Admiral Kato’s declaration that Japan is not seeking an offensive navy commentators conclude that the ! Japanese will side with the British on ! this question. ! The probable solution will, be an ' agreement in connection with a reduction of the maximum tonnage of individual submarines, with a view to their employment only for coastal defence, thus eliminating the huge submarines which were tho outcome of the war. AUSTRALIA SATISFIED. WASHINGTON November 15. After a meeting of tho British delegation this afternoon to receive and diacußß the progress reports of tho naval advisers. Senator Pearce (Australia) expressed himself as well satisfied regarding the way in which things were shaping. . t A FRENCH VIEW. MUTUAL ASSISTANCE NECESSARY. PARTS, November IG. I he Washington Conference continues to, bold public attention. **' Le Temps” argues that President Wilson was opposed to any alliance which guaranteed the independence and integrity of any country : moreover the United States to-day denounces all alliances. “ Le Temps” continues: “ Under this system each State must possess a force necessary to meet by itself a danger that it can reasonably foresee. It is likely that Britain will ask for the suppression of wide-range submarines. The Japanese Admiralty may ask for the suppression of the naval bases which the United States is creating in the Pacific.” 11 Le Temps ” concludes by urging that when the Powers agree to limit armaments they should tacitly bind themselves to help one another when faced by danger which limited armaments cannot evade. JAPANESE COUNTER PROPOSALS. TOEIO, November 16. A Frees statement says that the I Japanese counter-proposals to Mr j Hughes’s scheme will ask for an amended ratio, permitting a Japanese fleet of 70 to 80 per cent of the British and American fleets, increasing the number of capital ships to include, the Tnga and Rasa, which are ready for launching, and also retaining ' the Nuteu. Japan desires auxiliaries in a greater ratio than capital ship* to secure defence of the trade routes and extended coast line. CHINA’S POSITION, PRINCIPLES FOR CONSIDER ATION WASHINGTON. November 16. The Australian and New'- Zealand Press Association understands that the Chinese statement was not discussed by tlie Far Eastern Committee to-day. The matter waa referred to a sub-com-mittee to arrange the order of presentment of points to the full committee. A high Britibh authority expressed the view that- several of them would find full agreement, instancing the open door policy, which Britain always had favoured. The feeling among British delegates row tends towards hoping that a. general arrangement between all tb© na- ; tions interested in the Pacific might take tho place of the Anglo-Japanese 1 alliance. China must be freed from I clanger or threat of foreign aggression, 1 and relieved from the limitations now depriving her of autonomous administrative action, and preventing her sef curing adequate public revenues. Gen- • oral principles for consideration and . adoption by the conference are ; (1) The Powers to respect and observe the territorial integrity and political and administrative independence ci the Chinese Republic, which will under- , take not to alienate or lease any portion of her territory or littoral to any Power. (2) China to be prepared to accept i and apply the open door to all parts of the republic. (3) 'Hie Powers to agree not to conclude between themselves any treaty or agreement affecting China, without 1 previously notifying China and giving her an opportunity to participate. (4) All special rights, privileges, im- . munities or commitments, of whaievei r | character, claimed by any Powers re-

lating to China to l>e examined in order to determine their scop© and ra* liditjb also to harmonise them with oud another and with the principles to he loid down by the conference. (o) Existing limitations of China's political, jurisdictional and administrative freedom of action to be removed as soon* as possible. (6) A time limit to be applied to China’s present commitments. (7) Rights and privileges granted by China to bo interpreted in favour of China if called in question. (S') China’s rights as a. neutral to be fully respected in future wars. (9) Provision to be made for peaceful settlement of international disputes m the Pacific and Far East. (10) Provision to be made at a future conference for discussion of international questions relating to the Pacific and the Far East as the basis of common policies of the signatory Powers-OELEG-ATION ’ S OPINIONS. WASHINGTON, November 18. At a meeting of the committee on Pacific end Far Eastern questions, the Chinese delegation announced that it thought it proper to take the first opportunity of stating the general principles which should guide the conference in the determinations to be reached regarding China. Those principles had been framed with due regard to ihe rights and legitimate interests of all the Powers concerned. China wishes to make her vast natural sources available for all peoples needing them; and in return to receive the benefits of free, equal intercourse with alKpeoples. China will be able to solve her problems if given the opportunity. She now is contending with the difficult | problems arising when any country makes a radical change in its form of Government.