The New York herald., 1921-10-12
HARDINGW|LLDlRECT
ARMAMENT POLICIES
OF j. s. DELEGATION
President Feels He Cannot
Shirk the Responsibility
forthe Success Of Com
ing Conference.
FIRST MEETING TO-DAY
Adoption Of Basic Principles
Likely After Study Of Data
Compiled by Experts Of
the Government.
GREETs PRESS CONGRESS
Sees in Pacific Equality of OPP
portunity and Declares War
fare and Controversy There
, UnthinkabIe.
Special Despatch to THE New YORK HERALD.
New. York Herald Bureau,

New York Herald Bureau,
Y Washington, ID. c., Oct. II.
President Harding will be an in
tegrh part Of the American delegation
to the arms conference. and his influ-
ence and personal direction. will be felt
in every move made by the American
group.
That important decision became
known to-day, when it was announced
that the American delegation will
meet at 10 o'clock tomorrow for the
first time The delegation will con-
suit with the President before conven-
ing. It is understood the members Of
the delegation will be the Presidents
guests at luncheon tomorrow.
The first meeting of the delegation
is important in its effect, but the sig
nificance Of the meeting is dwarfed
by the evident intention OF the Presi-
dent to direct in,asvery. personal man.
ncr whatever the delegation may do.
Cannot Delegate Responsibility.
Mr.. Harding realizes that the rcspon-
conference will restswith him 2 He can
not delegate the responsibility, regard
iessEof how the task may be performed
and by whomi it may be done
That decision makes President Har-
ding the outstanding figure Of the con-
ference regardlesa Of his determination
not to sit In It as President Wilson did
at Yersailles. Every decision made by
the American delegation. every policy
adopted by 4, win be with his knowledge
and approval.
The meeting Of the delegation to-mor-
row win be Of great Importance. The
State Department will submit to the
delegates the results of its activities
which began the moment the President
issued the invitations to the conference
II IL not expected the first meeting
will go further than to digest this in
formation so far as time will allow. I'm
portant decisions based upon this infor.
nation will be left for future delibera-
tions. The basic principles OF the Amer
lean policy, however will be discussed
and probably decided upon.
President Harding's views on the
Pacific problem were suggested to-day
In a telegram addressed to Gov. Wallace
r. Harrington of the Hawaiian Islands,
to be read before the delegates to the
Press Congress OF the World. In this
telegram. President Harding had this to
say concerning the Pacific problem:
I'VE have heard much in recent years
about the problem of the Pacific. what
ever that may be. I take it to be merely
a phase of the universal problem Of the
race. Of men and nations wherever they
are. 1t is hard to imagine Qualifications
In this day and age, especially in view
Of the worlds late unhappy experiences,
for armed conflict among civilized peo-
pies anywhere. and especially among
peoples 30 widely separated as those on
opposite borders Of the Pacific. They
represent different races. soical organ
izations. political systems and modes Of
thought.
Seat Of Generous Competition.
Between them and their widely vary
Ing systems. there may well be amicabIe
competition to determine which con,-
munity possesses the better and more
effective IDEAS for human advance
ment But that there should be corr
flict that warfare and controversy
should Interfere with this worth while
demonstration of the value of different
modes OF progress. Is almost unthink-
able. The Pacific ought to be the seat
OF generous. free, open minded COM
petition between the best ideals OF East
ern and Western life: between the as
pfrations and endeavors of the Oldest
and the newest forms of human society.
You are meeting at the cross roads
Of the Pacific. amid all the glamour
and romance and glory which have al
ways surrounded the very name Of the
South Sea. You have an opportunity
10 do a work for humanity. and be-
lieve YOU have met peculiarly auspi-
cious time. I could express no greater
hope. no more earnest wish for your
Congress than that II might prove the
precursor OF an understanding which In
our day, in our very tomorrow, I may
say. would insure the peace Of the world.
the proximate end of the frightfui waste
OF competing ornaments. and the cstab-
lishmcnt of peace on earth. good wui
toward men.
1--WE confidently trust that every ef-
fort win be made to bring about an ad-
herence In practice by all nations to
the traditional American policy OF the
open door and territorial integrity OF
China; thus creating a condition OF
cqusIty OF opportunity attractive to
American capital and enterprise. This
we deem to be fundamental to the up
building Of large, substantial interests
and an American prestige In keeping
with the commercial power and capacity
~ the IT-ifoa Qtofoc