PROBLEM OF THE PACIFIC

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14773, 12 October 1921, Page 5

PROBLEM OF THE PACIFIC

AUSTRALIAN FEARS BRITAIN'S DIFFICULT POSITION, A REASSURING VIEW. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received October 11, 5.5 p.m. LONDON, October 10. The Daily Express, continuing tbe discussion on the Pacific problem, points out that if there is any question of not paying the United States the money we owe, Britain will be accused of using American money to build battleships against the United States. Another difficulty the British Umpire has (o face is the possibility of a divergence of opinion between Canada and Australia. Canada's sympathies are with the power which also objects to Oriental immigration, but Australia is far away, and fears if war is not averted the first shock will fall on her unprotected shores. The best naval opinion, however, considers this natural nervousness unwarranted. Japan would lie operating far from her bases, with flic American fiect on her flanks, and such a move on Japan's part would be courting a naval Moscow. It should therefore be easy for Britain to satisfy Australia that she is not in real danger, and that the British Empire and the American Republic can give her a guarantee against invasion. The position, therefore, is that America will be satisfied that her debt will be paid, Australia will be convinced that she is protected, and Japan will believe that Britain's ancient sympathy will not be wanting to enable her to effect a reasonable settlement. Britain should therefore be able to exercise a decisive influence.