Anglo-American Agreement of Views Stressed at Brussels: Speedy End War Urged Brussels, Nov. 3. the presence of an imposing array of world statesmen representing nineteen nations, the Nine-Power Conference, summoned in an effort to settle lo the Sino-Japanese conflict by agreement, was opened here at 1 1 a.m. to-day by M. Paul Spaak, the acting Belgian Foreign Minister.
Welcoming the delegates, Spaak, who was subsequently elected president, reviewed the circumstances in which the Conference had been convened.
The complete Identity of the views of Britain and the United States was the feature of the opening session, while the only discordant note was struck by Count Mares-colt, of italy.
'According to Japanese quarters, the Belgian Foreign Office yesterday asked the Japanese Embassy proposed to send an observer to the Conference, and the Japanese Am~ bassador is' said to have replied that he did not propose to have any con~ tact with the Conference.
The Tlalian delegate had a tong interview with the Japanese Ambassador last evening.
The Japanese deny a report circulating here that the Japanese are willing to consider mediation by Britain and the United States.
The delegates met this morning at the Marble Hall of the old palace of the Duke of Orange, which provided fan admirable setting, Huge paintings of Flemish masters looked down, on a large baize covered table sur-Founded by red plush chairs, The Conference rose at I pin. Tt has been reconvened for 4.30 when fund the Orient were impressed the admirable achievements effected by the Japanese people.
During the present generation China had been struggling _with momentous problems of transition. from an old to a new regime, and the world had observed her efforts with. sympathetic interest.
Unfortunately, China and Japan had reported hostilities which. were detrimentally affecting the whole: world, The United States had not" come to the Conference in expectations of the chief Chinese delegate, Dr. Wellington Koo, ise to speak, Th calling the Conference the Belgian Government, said M. Spank, had no other object than to collabora ate in the work of peace. The world was already so troubled by the tragedy in Spain that it saw uneasiness increased by the horrible war proceeding in the Far East. Every man was asking it the far-flung centres of fire were not the forerunners of a universal cataclysm, beside which the horrors of 1914 would be child's play. The refusals of Germany and Japan to take, part in the Conference, he said, wore regrettable for the progress of their work, Meeting {s Not Tribunat Citing the text of the German refusal, M. Spank expressed the hope the refusal was not absolute but inspired by certain special cireumstances which could be modified. Germany's reply, he added, was a Jong and extremely important docu ment which would be distributed to the delegates 'The abstention of Japan, M. Spaak said, put the conference in a very' cal' difficulty, but further discussion might dissipate certain _misunde standings. The conference must not consider itself a sort of international tribunal before which Japan should be summoned to appear and explain liber tions in conditions incom= patible with her dignity and honour, "Our object," the Belgian Foreign Minister concluded, "is to end the war, if possible, and re-establish peace and law."
On M. Spaak's suggestion, it way agreed that the Conference should hold "its plenary, sessions in public and its committee meetings in private,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.