New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-07-17
Commission Headed by
Viviani Opens Sessions
by Giving Approval to
Action Taken by U. S.
Sees Chance for
Preliminary Work
Representatives Evince
Complete Willingness
to Aid American Move
By Wilbur Forrest
Special Gable to The Tribuns


PARIS, July 16.-President Harding's
international conference on disarma-
ment in Washington was assured of the
support of the League of Nations to-
day, when the initial meeting Of the
Leagues disarmament commission was
held In the Luxembourg Palace under
the Craftsmanship Of Rene Viviani. The
commissions work, as assigned by Ar
ticle XXI Of the covenant, is to study
the general question Of reduction Of
armaments and report to the General
Assembly Of the League at Geneva on
September Is.
AS the session got under way one
leader after another expressed the feel
ing that the researches Of the commits
sien should serve to aid the Allied
powers In their effort toward disarma-
ment when the Harding conference
opens in Washington. M. Viviani, rep
resenting France; H. A. l.. Fisher. a
delegate from Great Britain, and Sena-
tor Carlo Schanzer, Of Italy, were the
days speakers, and they ali put in the
forefront the hope Of a reduction Of
military burdens through the coming
meeting, The spirit of the entire ses-
sion seemed one of complete willing
ness to cooperate with the Harding
movement even though it ignored the
League in taking matters into its own
hands.
Preparatory Work
M. Viviani outlined the purposes Of
the leagues mandate to its disarma- a.
ment commission, and added:
IF we understand our duty we can
render very great service, even though
this should not be more than preparing
the elements for further study else
where. We have not been surprised that
the Chief Executive of the great Ameri.
can nation, which by it's thoughts and
actions has so often stressed the SUBJ
ject OF disarmament, wishes to assemble
the governments with view to their
reaching an accord. We are happy To
acknowledge this Initiative. We are
certain that the work which we are
about to prepare cannot fail to be taken
into consideration after our meeting
next September shall have reached some
solutions-not final, but clear cut-for
some Of the problems presented"
Ar. Fisher said the commission
should express the greatest satisfac-
tion that President Harding had taken
the initiative, because the President,
ideal of the league Of Nations, is. on
the contrary, in full conformity with its
spirit. If the Washington conference
serves to bring international accord on
the question of disarmament, said the
British delegate, the work of the
leagues commission will have hastened
the result.
Prudence Is Urged
Mr.. Fisher counseled the commission
to observe extreme prudence in deal
| ing with the question Of land disarma
ment, in view Of the fact that both
Germany and Russia are not members
OF the League, and also because of The
uncertainty of Germany's attitude on
the Leagues demands.
Senator SchanZer expressed SYM.
pathy with the purposes of the Hard.
ing invitation, though he agreed with
| Mr.. Fisher on the necessity Of pru.
dence in dealing with the land disarma.
ment question, believing that the com.
mission should particularly study the
necessities Of the various territories
such as the defense Of more or less
difficult national territories and main.
tenance Of order in the interior as vel
as in the colonies.
The commission decided to begin s
general study Of the problem Of dis.
armaments and nominated sub-commit.
tees to have charge Of the examination
Of particular points.
PARIS, July 1e (By The Associated
Press) Brief exchanges Of views thi.
morning showed the delegates to tn,
League Of Nations Commission for the
Reduction Of Armaments were i'm.
pressed with the necessity Of proceed
ing prudently with the question of dis
armament by easy stages, since it il
impossible not to take into account the
special situation of certain countries
Continues on next paao)