The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-11-16
Indications Are the Greater
Nations Hesitant in
Breaking the Ice or
Making Proposals.
AMERICAN PLAN NOT
DIRECT AS OTHERS
Disarmament Details Being
Taken Under Amusement
BY Specialists Today.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 16.-Problems
OF the far east solution Of which is
adjudged an integral part Of the ques-
lion of armaments, took the center
Of attention at the arms conference
today while the plan for reduction of
naval establishments was passing
through a period Of technical examina-
ton at the hands OF committee of
experts.
For the first time the delegations
of the United States, Great Britain,
Japan, France, Italy, China, Belgium.
Portugal and the Netherlands acting
as committee OF the whole on the
far eastern questions. assembled for
preliminary discussion and 10, lay
rams for procedure.
Slowing in Starting
In contrast to the manner in which
the conference tackled the armament
program on its opening day, the rep
resentatives of the powers went into
todays committee meeting waiting on
one another to speak first about the
intricate questions that long haye
troubled diplomatic relations in the
Pacific and the Orient
OF course, every nation had rather
concrete idea Of principles it meant TO
present once the negotiations begin,
but no one seemed anxious 10 break
Il e ice.
. ~ L. s. Attitude Not Defined
The attitude of the United States
Ia that the interest of this govern
! ment is not so nearly direct in the
Tar eastern situation as II was in the
question OF armaments. Both China
and Japan appeared TO prefer to wai'
and familiarize themselves with the
atmosphere of the conference before
laying down their views in detail
Great Britain also has failed TO give
any indication OF "A willingness TO take
the initiative, while all the other
powers felt that their more or less re-
mote relationship to the far casters
tangle should prompt them to remain
in the background for the present.
The general prediction was that as
result the task Of drafting meth
cd of procedure would be entrusted
TO smaller committee.
Technical COmn1ttees Meet
The first meeting Of the technical
committee to which the armament
program OF the American delegation
was referred yesterday, adjourned at
noon today not 10 resume until to.
morrow. Various phases OF the Ameri.
can plan were taken under considera.
lion by the individual experts for each
power preparatory TO further commit.
tee plans later.
China Presents interests
A detailed statement regarding Chr.
mas interest and her attitude on far
eastern questions was made by Min.
lister SEE at first meeting OF the
conference on the war eastern ques-
tons.
No program for the consideration.
of far eastern questions was agreed
upon but the heads Of the DELEGATIONS
Of the nine powers forming the com
mittee were TO meet later today 10
frame an order OF procedure.
There was no response from the
Japanese after China had presented
her view OF the situation and although
some general discussion developed al
of the other nations represented re
served detailed statement OF their
opinions for q later presentation.
Indications were that the first at
tempt TO get down to cases would b,
made In the meeting Of the heads ol
the delegations later in the day.
Open Door In China
Maintenance OF the open door II
China was said TO have been urget
vigorously by Minister SEE. who ais,
spoke strongly for abolition OF secre
treaties affecting China and urge,
that hereafter all such treaties be
tween the powers be made public.
The question OF the disposition o
the province Of Shantung was no
brought up. Neither did DR.. Sze u,
into the question OF granting futur
foreign concessions In China. Both o
these subjects, II was learned, wer
TO be- left for future discussion.