The Washington times., 1921-09-11
MILITARY Chief
TOFEEL PULSE
Of POWERS ON
DISARMAMENT
Visit ls ostensibly to Decorate
Heroes Grave, But Interpre-
tation Of Trip ls Significant.
WILL SAIL NEXT WEDNESDAY
President to Rely Heavily on
Advice Of ex-A: E. 2. Leader
at Coming ParIey.
BY Universal Service.

Gen. John ]. Pershing will sail
for Europe next Wednesday, it was
disclosed. after the general had a
conference with President Harding
yesterday.
General Pershing's mission will
keep him in Europe until time for
the opening of the Washington con-
ference on limitation Of armaments
and Pacific and Far Eastern ques-
tions, November II. o..
Mission Believed Hidden.
ostensibly. the trip IL being made
for the purpose Of participation In
tho decoration Of the graves OF the
unknown French war dead. In Off.
cIai circles deeper significance ID
being attached to the mission. Cen
crai Pershing II chief OF staff Of the
Army and generally recognized as the
Presidents choice for chief military
adviser to the American delegation at
the coming conference. .-...
Secretary of War Weeks explained
that he was carrying the Medal Of
Honor for decorating the grave In
Paris as provided for by Congress.
While there the General viii also in
spect American graves and will re-
view the American Army Of Occupa-
tion on the Rhine. program that viii
result in plenty Of contact with his
European associates In the late war.
May Detail Another. ~
Proof that the grave decoration IL
not the only object Of the European
mission IL detected by many In the
fact that he may not remain for the
Identical ceremony in Great Britain.
also recognized by Congress. In the
event that he is delayed. another Off
GER will be detailed to Europe, while
General Pershing returns In time for
the armament session.
It 10 known that President Harding
Ii counting heavily upon the personal
popularity which General Pershing &C
Quired among leaders Of the European
powers during the war for effect in
the coming negotiations. This pre-
conference visit to Europe by the man
destined to be the big figure on the
advisory committee will serve at least
as Q renewal Of those cordial feelings
which may como In such good stead.
9 Furthermore, Secretary Of State
Hughes repeatedly expressed the hope
of getting a definite settlement of the
mandate question with the allied pow
ers ahead Of the convening Of the ar
mament conference. That may neces-
state the negotiation OF q treaty which
could either pave the way or set up
insurmountable obstacles to the arma.
ment limitation agreement.
Cards Of u. 8. on Table. -
In fact, in the State Department Il
ir altogether easy to gain the impress
sion. that the recent exchanges Of
views on the mandate question are In
reality preliminary steps,s leading to-
ward the formulation Of Just such a
treaty with the allied powers. As
pointed out this country already has
placed All its cards upon the table.
"1f this governments views are 90
ceptabie to the allied powers there 10
nothing standing In the way OF the
international agreement. though, Of
course, no such agreement can be
written In any way except by treaty"
stated high official OF the state De
partmcnt.
The state Department is refrainins
from all comment oa the negotiations
between Japan and China over the
settlement Of the shantung issue. al
though there 10 every reason to be-
lieve that this government has been
advised on ali moves. No secret has
been made here OF the hope that q
satisfactory settlement be made or,
that issue, a. on tho mandates, In the
interest Of success IN the November
confersnces -