Evening journal., 1921-08-13
HUGHES TO SIT
in ARMSPhRLEY
Secretary of State Put in
Charge of Making Final
Arrangements
CONTROVERSIES
ARE CLOSED

WASHINGTON. Aug. 1s.-Any ex-
pectation that President Harding
will himself act as a delegate to the
disarmament conference was over
thrown yesterday by a White House
announcement that he had definitely
designated Secretary Hughes OF the
State Department to head the Amer
ican delegation.
It was said that other members
were yet to be chosen. although the
President Is known to have narrowed
considerably the list OF those he con-
siders available and may reach the
point OF other definite selections in
the very near future. He is under
stood to have decided that at least
one Of the places shall go to a United
States Senator, and the choice OF a
woman as a member Of the delega-
ton still is Within the range OF pos
sibility.
The exact role to be played by the
President never has been officially
defined, but the general expectation
Is that after delivering the opening
address Of the conference on No
vember IL. he will remain in the
background Of the negotiations
leaving direct contact with the for.
eign commissioners to his accredited
| representatives,, but at the same
time keeping in close touch will
them and with all the proceeding.
Of the conference.
BY this course Mr.. Harding will
be in a position similar to that o.
President Poincare. OF France wheI
he opened the Versailles conference
and then retired from actual par
ticipation in the proceedings. Presi
dent Harding's close advisers arr
said to feel that by keeping ava.
from details Of the disarmament
discussions he can reserve his effort
for the more important features an'
be so placed as TO act as mediato
for all the delegates in any dis
agreement that might threaten tn
success Of the conference.
Not only has the President plac
ed Mr.. Hughes at the head OF tn
American delegates. but he ais
has turned over to the State Depart
ment the task Of clearing away al
the details remaining 10 be dispos
ed Of before the conference meets
II is understood that the Chic
Executive intends to supervise onl
the more important moves and ha
encouraged the department TO worl
out lesser problems on its own re
sponsibility.
One Of these problems whicl
threatens TO occupy the attentions o
, a large staff before II is solved
was tackled by the department
g when it offered its aid TO the EN-
l bassies and legations Of the invit
% ed nations In securing suitable quar-
e ters and other accommodations 10
the visiting delegations. Each Of tn
I powers is expected TO send a lare
r corps Of experts. clerks and oths
To- attaches with its commission an
- the task Of providing them, not onl
n a place to live. but office space a
well. may require an extensive SUI
voy OF housing facilities.
While replies we're awaited 10 II
formal invitations, speculation
. diplomatic circles here were concerI
/ cd chiefly wit hthe scope which ma
be taken by the conference under N
terms laid down by the invitation
The most lively topic of discussio
4 was the statement in the text Of n
4 inv.tstiona that there should be col
d sldcration cf matters which hal
e been and are Of international cor
d Germ"
Is In the absence OF any interpret'
a ton by the State Department, dil
lomatists we're not inclined to pr
j. dict that the American governmei
" would seek 10 include inciden
a automatically closed as among tho
e which might properly come befo
the conference. Had the phra
,r read: Have been or are OF inte
y. national concern" instead OF ''ha'
r been and are" II was pointed on
/. there might be ground to suppo
S. that 1t was sought TO reopen o
1. controversies.
At At the same time. It Is conced'
that there may easily be diferenc
e. OF opinion as TO what are closed 4
of cidents. in which case the confe
D. ence itself would have to deci
,e whether TO take M the subjects