Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1921-05-06
HARDING TAKES
UP INVITATION
Partial Acceptance is Look
ed For In Official
Circles
HUGHES FAVORS, PLAN
United States Has Been Hampered by
Move-Participation in Peace Par
ley ~, &

Washington, May 6.--President
Harding has under consideration to-
day the invitation from the Supreme
Council that America participate il
future peace councils of the Allies
The invitation was handed to Sec
ratary OF State Hughes this morning
by Sir Auckland Geddes, British
Ambassador. The Secretary carried
it in person to the President and they
remained in conference for half ar
hour.
The communication not only pro.
poses that America send represen
tative ito sit once more upon the
Repartions Commission, but that
an American diplomat be assigned
to sit as member of the Supreme
Council. President Wilson withdrew
Americas ofi.ial representation in
the peace councils when the Senate
rejected the Treaty of Versailles,
although unofficial observers since
nave made reports to the American
Government
Whether President HARDING Will be
inclined to accept the invitation now
pressed upon him was matter of
sneculation here last night. Many
OF his friends felt that he could do
no less thai accent in view of the
protestat;ons of friendship of in
ierestedress and of vital concern in
the settlements now being made in
Europe. Totreject the invitation, it
.s.spoiDted sut, wonld be to impeacn
this Governments sincerity. -
On the other hand g ;n.istei
by the rigid construetionists and the
anti alliance group generally that
there is no justific&ti /? for Amer
ica's having any part )" 'oi in the
reparations settlement :as' this
country has taken an .,.'' position
with regard to European problems;
that it has repudiated anything ap-
preaching an alliance, and that u
should not assume any responsible
itv for the action the Allies take m
dealing with Germany. They even
contend that with the passage by
the House of the Knox resolution,
American troops should be with
drawn from the Rhine.
It is doubted in the circles closest
70 the White House, however. if the
President will take so uncomprom-
isine view of the matter. 1t IS
believed that Secretary Hughes IA
urs American representation in the
Supreme Council and on the Repara
tions Commission and that his in
fuence with the President eventu-
ally will prevail, as it has in many
ether matters of foreign policy.
II is not indicated by those who
know Mn. Hughes views on this
question that he believes this Gov
srnment should delegate a plenipoten
t;:bry to represent it at London or a
commissioner to represent it on the
,eparations committee, having the
power 10 present. American views
ard to commit this Government TO
line of action. But Mr.. Hughes /;
s:id to favor the appointment o.
American observers, who will give
mis- Government the benefit OF th'
ost intimate information aVallaol'
io other Interested governments.
In all the discussions involving
repaatiohs the State Department
has been handicapped by its lack o
information as to what German,
actually can pay and, therefore, a
to what would constitute just set
tlement. This Government ha
talked in impressive terms of sue
settlement, but is ready to admi
that it does no know what would b
Justice and what injustice. To rem,
ed ythis MIR. Hughes. it is believed
feels that America should have
source of the fullest and most def
mite information. such a source as
r.w closed to it on account of th
isolation President Wilson ordaine
when the Senate rejected the We
sailles treaty.
Washington wall take a keen il