The Washington herald., 1920-11-24
Absence Of Great War Pow
er Brings Hesitation Over
Disarmament. 3
u. S. MOVES WATCHED
Harding's Foreign Policy
Awaited to Determine
Course of Future.
ny CARL w. ACkERM&N.

Special o.bk Disp.teh 10
Tho Wsshiafton HsralA-
GENEVA. Nov. 23.AThe United
States today is playing an impor-
tant role in the activities Of the
league assembly. Without any rep
resentatives. without any contact in
any direct way. the United States.
as the most powerful absent mem
Der OF the Ieague.s enters into con-
sideyatiOn OF every important ques-
tion.
In private conversation the dele
gates always express disappoint-
ment that the United States Is not
a member. They admit that what
ever action the assembly takes on
problems OF finance, economic read
justment, Limitation Of armaments.
Armenia. the admission OF Austria
and Bulgaria. administration Of for
mer enemy colonies. can only be
provisional until President-elect
Harding and the United States Sem
ate formulate Americas future for
eign policy. The delegations regret
IL, but the fact remains that the
future Of the league as an inter
national agency Of reconstruction
and as a possible means Of avoid
ing wars. depends upon the Hard
ing administration
Aserics's Might Reslised.
Because our country is recognize
ed as the greatest potential mill
tary power of the future. none of
ha
AFFORD TO support whole-heartedly
and enthusiastically the leagues
program Of limiting armamepts.
Until there is a world agreement on
armaments. the league will be un-
able TO function effectively as an
organization to end war
opinion Is unanimous that untn
the United States signifies its fn-
tention Of agreeing with the other
powers to limit preparations. for
war. neither England, France nor
japan fczn support the leagues
anti-mfiftzrist program. The dan
ger OF this impasse s. fully evidcnt
to the leagues commission which
investigated-Or. rather. attempted
to investigate - the preparations
which are being made today
throughout the world for some Kind
of a future war which the states
men OF Europe seem to expect as
a natter OF course.
War Expenditure. Heavy.
The Ieagse has facts today which
show that more is being spent to-
day on military, naval and air pro-
grams than was spent in 1914. OF
all OF the present military powers
ica-only Japan has been represent
ed by important members Of her
delegation and military stan. Eng
land and France send only minor
submembers of their delegations
Much has been said in the assem-
bly, already about tbs dangerous
economic and financial situation OF
Europe. Pleas have been made by
small nations. by Italy and others.
for the sharing OF raw materials.
But Europe's economic life is SO in
terwoven with Americas that again
constructive measures fail of their
final effect because Of the present
American policy Of detachment:
League Funetious Well.
As a means OF bringing together
representatives OF the forty-one ma
tions TO exchange ideas and formu-
late programs. the league is func-
tioning today in an excellent man-
near. The enthusiasm of a great
majority Of the delegates for the
league is proof OF the leagues po-
tential power. But none OF the
great or small powers represented
here are being disillusioned. They
consider Geneva the beginning of a
league o fnations which they fully
expect 20 become a great interna-
tional organization when the United
States, Germany, Austria, Mexico
and Russia are members, but not
before.