The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-12-18

power agreement In the Pacific-afterward modified to include France-but it can be stated with authority that such a sugges- tion would not have been considered here except for the fact that it hap pened to coincide with the Presiden t s previously expressed view. These views should have been known, and probably were known, in London as early as last January. The British proposal for a wider treaty to sup plant the Anglo-Japanese alliance was not made until last summer
 Simple As Practical
 President Hardings theory of in- ternational accord and the mainte- nance of world peace is as simple as it is practical. The President stated very frankly to some of his callers at Marion last winter that he was Nor ever opposed to the institutional character of the League of Nations, with all of its cumbersome machinery and commandments. He declared that his idea of the way to accom- plish something practical in the world was to get four or five of the big nations together and let them agree upon a line of action. He held that if the big nations reached an agreement, it was certain that the smaller nations could be induced, by entirely proper means, to Ego along"
 The President at that time made 8 very homely simile. For purposes of illustration, he took the small Amer ican town. If it was desired to in- augurate some civic enterprise, the President said the method of proce- dure always was to interest the four or five big and influential men of the ttf,fF fFxr in, T 1kf, they agreed as to it's feasibility and further agreed to cooperate, the sue cess of the movement was assured for the smaller men of the commu- nity, the smaller contributors to the public welfare, were certain to fol- low in the footsteps of the leaders.
 Rule Applies to Nations
 President Harding said this rule would hold as true of nations as of men and apply when the movement to be undertaken would be for peace and the betterment of mankind. Mir Harding said he felt that such a com bination of nations would not be jus tified if the purpose of the associa- tion should not be one of oppression. But where the association was one of guidance for the rest of the world he felt that great things could be ac- complished merely by calling the four or five big powers into consultation. Further light on the Presidents pur- pose is shown by the fact that in Florida last winter. just prior to his inauguration, he told number of his close advisers, including Charles Evans Hughes, who at the time had just announced his acceptance of the portfolio of state, that he felt one of the first great problems of his ad ministration would have to do with the arrangement of better relations with Japan. Mir. Harding felt the Japanese question was a very urgent one and that conditions were devel- oping which might easily lead to a very embarrassing situation.
 China StiIl a Problem
 Feeling that Japan-and conse- quently the entire Pacific situation must be dealt with at the Washington conference, President Harding has, with whatever help Great Britain has been able to give, put into effect the theory he announced at Marion. He feels today that if the four powers included in the new pact really can not agree on all questions that arise, world peace is out of the question. It would be fairer, perhaps, to say that the President believes they will be able to agree ana that causes TOT war in the Pacific will be, laid aside forever. It is true, China remains not only a puzzle but a problem. Yet MT. Harding holds that in dealing justly with China it is necessary that Japan, Great Britain and the United States be In complete accord. This accord, he believes. he has arranged.
 If in the future questions arise in other parts of the world in which it Is felt the United States has a serious Interest. or duty to perform it will undoubtedly be the purpose of Pres ldent Harding to arrange another Hexecutive committee" to deal with it.
 It is the Presidents theory that the town meeting is idealistic democracy, but the town meeting can act effec- lively only through. d small commit tee of It's leading lights.