On the other subjects the Report of the Premiers is
very frank and very interesting. After careful consideration it was found that the Japanese Alliance was not about to expire, and therefore did not need renewal ; then came President Harding's invitation to Washington, which, of course, entirely changed the situation. The Report goes on to state frankly how the Premiers were in favour of a preliminary Conference, either here or in America, which might settle some of the outstanding Pacific difficulties, and thus clear the ground for the work of disarmament to be undertaken at Washington. The United
States Government, however, " did not favour this idea, which was accordingly dropped." So it has come about that we shall enter the Washington Conference both tied and encumbered by the Japanese Alliance, and also without any of the Pacifio questions settled. We can only hope that the great object of disarmament will be achieved none the less.
