The Washington times., 1920-12-03
Mrs. McSwiney's ShipLate;
Great Reception Delayed
OFFERS U. 5.
BOARD SEAT ON
DISARMAMENT


The United state has been for
mally invited by the League OF
Nations to name a representative
to sit in a consultative capacity on
the Leagues permanent commission
on disarmament. II was announced
at the state Department today.
No decision as TO the acceptance
OF the invitation has yet been
reached b. this Government. 1t was
stated
The invitation was addressed to
the Secretary of state.
TEXT OF INVITATION.
The invitation, which was signed
"Hymans, president OF the council"
was telegraphed from Geneva 1t
read as follows:
The Council of the League OF
acting on unanimous
recommendation OF the permanent
military, naval and aid commission
OF the League. passed at Its meet
ing in Geneva on November rs, In
vites the Government OF the United
States to name representatives to
sit on that commission in con-
sultative capacity during the study
by the commission OF the question
OF the reduction Of armamenrs. a
study which the council has re
quested the commission to under-
take forthwith.
DECISIONS ONLY ADVISORY.
THE permanent advisory COM
mission was constituted by the con-
ell OF the League of Nations at It's
meeting in Rome last May and held
its first session at San Sebastion In
August. The commission Is at pre-
sent composed of military. naval
and aerial officers of States repre-
sented on the council Of the League.
Its decisions are purely advisory
and not In any sense binding, but
they represent the common techni-
cal judgment of the experts OF
many countries.
1T would. Of course. be perfectly
understood that the presence of the
representatives of the United States
would in no way commit the Amer
Jean Government to whatever opin-
ion may finally be Pit forward IN
the report of the commission. Nor
indeed can that report itself be
more than basis for the consid-
Grafton by the members or the
League OF the measures OF reduc-
tion In armament which united &C
ton may enable them to achieve
WILL FACILITATE WORK.
Nevertheless, just as in the case
OF the financial conference at Brus-
seis, the presence of an American
representative, whose function was
only that OF giving and receiving
Information, was an important fac
tor in the success of the work or
the conference. as il cannot be
doubted that the general consider
alton of the subject OF the reduc-
ton of armament will be greatly
facilitated II the Government OF the
United states can see it's way to ee
represented in n similar manner at
the meeting of the permanent ad-
visory commission.
THE problem is one to which
public opinion in all countries at
taches the highest Importance.
1T is unnecessary to point out
that the reduction OF armament IL
essential for the well-being OF the
world and that unless some meas
ures of relief can he found by in
ternational cooperation for the
excessive taxation due to arma-
ment the general economic situa-
tion must become Increasingly
worse.
ACCEPTANCE NOT BINDING.
"The council in extending this in
vitation cannot but hope that the
Government of the United states,
particularly in view of the attitude
of American towards the question
OF the competition in armament
will not refuse to associate itself
with the governments of the mem
bers Of the League in beginning the
preliminary work necessary for ul-
Innate success and to lend TO the
present effort an assistance which
can in no way encroach upon its
perfect liberty OF action.