AMERICA’S PROPOSALS

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14801, 15 November 1921, Page 4

AMERICA’S PROPOSALS

The dramatic announcement made by Mr Hughes, the American Secretary for State, at the opening of the Washington Conference, not unnaturally caused a great sensation. It was sincerely hoped that the representatives of the nations would meet in the full determination to leave no stone unturned to attain the end desired, and that as the result of the deliberations a large measure of the expenditure on armaments would be saved, but it was scarcely anticipated that America would immediately throw all her cards upon the table and invite the representatives of other nations to do likewise. It marks a new era in diplomacy, and it augurs well for the success of the Conference. It places the issue plainly and slraightly, and puts the professions of pacific intentions lo the test. America has given evidence of her good faitli; it is to be hoped that the other Powers will be equally ingenious and I hat the conclusions of Mr Bernard Shaw and others

relative to backstairs conversations and sinister intentions will prove to be without foundation. The representatives of both Japan and Britain acknowledge the boldness and genuineness of the American proposal; it has certainly given a very concrete basis upon which to negotiate, and while the details upon examination may require some amendment when closely examined by the experts, there cannot be two opinions as to the value, of Mr Hughes’ proposal In bringing the conference face to face with the serious business for which it was convoked. It will also test the genuineness of the protestations of a desire for peace which ..have been so persistently voiced by Uxe representatives of the several nations since the invitations to-the Conference were issued. There are, no doubt,' many difficulties to be surmounted, but if they arc faced resolutely and with a settled determination to achieve the purpose in view, the Washington Conference will assuredly mark the opening of a new epoch in the world’s history. Mr Hughes has certainly raised the deliberations from the abstract to the practical, and his directness should do much to shorten the proceedings.