, 1921-07-12

eclared IN the mouse OF COM
ply from tho government OF Japan.
but we have good eason TO hope IL
will be in the same sense.
Nov that these views have been
received. 1 am very glad to be at lib
erty to inform the house fully regard
ing the course which the discussion
OF the imperial cabinet took. ] do
this with particular satisfaction. be-
cause 1t will show how very valuable
a step forward We have been able to.
take. by common consent. in the
sphere OF foreign affairs.
1.-THE broad lines OF the imperial
policy in the Pacific and tho Far
East was the very first subject to
which We addressed ourselves. having
special regard to the Angio,Japanese
agreement, the future OF China and
the bearing of both these questions on
the relations Of the British empire
with the United States. We were
guided in our deliberations by three
main considerations.
In japan we have an old and
proved ally. The agreement. now of
20 years standing between us. has
been of very great benefit, not only
10 ourselves and her, but to the peace
OF the Far East. In China we have
a very numerous people OF great po-
t~entialities who esteem our friendship
highly and whose interests we desire
to assist and advance"
This statement Of the prime minis
ter elected cheers from the house.
In the United States we see today.
as we have always seen, the people
closest. to our aims and IDEALS" the
prime minister continued, land with
whom IL is for us not only n desire
and an interest. but n deeply rooted
instinct. TO consult. and to cooperate"
There was renewed cheering from
the house at this point. Mr.. Lloyd
George went on:
These were the main considera-
lions in our minds and upon them we
were unanimous. The ~object-pf our
discussions was to find q method OF
combining all these three factors in
a policy that would rsinoye the dan
ger of a heavy naval expenditure in
the Pacific. with all the evils that
such expenditure would entail and
that would ensure the development of
all legitimate national interests in the
far east.
I'VE had first to ascertain our exact
position in regard tn the AngloJapa-
nese agreement There had been much
doubt as to whether the notification
TO the league OF nations last July con-
stituted denunciation of the agree
ment.
'If it did It would be necessary to
decide on some interim easur re.
garding the agreement. pending fuller
discussion with the Pacific powers,
and negotiations with this object in
view already are in progress"
IF on the other hand it did not
the agreement would remain in force
until II was denounced either by Japan
or ourselves and would not be exactly
determined until ~ months from the
date on which notice of denunciation
was given.
w also desire. as / have stated.
to maintain our close friendship and
cooperation with Japan. The greatest
merit OF that most valuable friendship
is that 1t harmonizes the influences
and activities OF the two creates
Asiatic powers and thus constitutes an
essential safeguard to, the well-befng
of the British empire and peace of the
last.
also aim at preserving the open
door in China and at giving the Chi
nese people every opportunity for
peaceful progress and development.
I'm addition to those considerations
we desire to safeguard our own vital
interests in the Pacific and preclude
any composition in naval ornaments
between h Pacific powers.
A the representatives of the en-
pire agreed that our standpoint on
these questions should be communi-
Gated with complete frankness to the
United States. Japan n China with
the object Of securing an exchange of
views which might lead II more for
NAL discussions and a conference.
Lord Curzon. accordingly. held con-
versations last week with the Ameri-
can and Japanese ambassadors and
the Chinese minister. in which he SOM
municated to them the views of the
imperial cabinet and asked in turn for
the views of their respective govern
He expressed at these con
the very strong hope that
exchange OF views might. If their
government shared our desire in that
respect. pave the way to conferences
IN the problems Of the Pacific and
the Far East"
The prime minister then made his
~eference to President Hfsvding's in
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