The New York herald., 1921-11-19
Agreements to Be Made
Into Treaty, Then Sent
All Over Earth.
ARMS ONLY FIRST STEP
Far Eastern Questions Are Elk.
pected to Be Settled by
'Gentlemcn's' Pacts.
Special Despatch to THE New York HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington. ID. c.. Nov 1S

"
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington ID. c.. Nov. IL.
An ultimate association of all ma
tons in concord on a firm basis of
understanding was the aim and pur-
pose of President Harding in calling
the arms conference. it was made
known from the White House to-day.
Any agreements reached here will
be submitted to the world for ap-
proval. 1t is readily seen that agree
ments reached among the major Pow
ers for limitation of armaments can
not be binding unless subscribed to
by smaller nations.
Any other arrangement, it is pointed
out by high official authorities, would
make it possible for the weaker Pow
ers or combination of them to force
a breaking OF the agreement. The
present proposal, contained in the
Hughes programme. bases arms limi-
tations upon existing strength. That
strength is visualized in relation to
the strength Of the smaller nations
or any possible group of them in com
bination.
Accordingly, whatever agreements
are reached by the conference that
will necessitate treaty handling will
be. submitted to all nations for their
approval. Other matters not suscepti-
bic to treaty handling will be sub
mitted and approval asked.
Why Big Nations Were Called.
The only reason President Harding and
Secretary Hughes confined their invita-
tons to the great naval Powers and TO
the Far Eastern Powers was because il
was necessary to start in order to ar
rive. large coucourse would have de-
stroyed the possibility of agreement. The
larger Powers purpose to point the way.
and that way is an association of ma
tons or a world Of nations In association.
II Is President Harding's idea of applica-
tIon of "the gospel of understanding" to
world relationships.
1t is accepted that agreements reached
relative to armaments will require formu-
lation into treaty. Such a treaty will
have to be submitted to the Senate for
ratification. and the Administration IS
confident there will be no difficulty in
procuring treaty approval of any agree
ments reached at the conference 1t is
not believed II Will be necessary TO have
Congress approval for the executive
branch of the Government to scrap ships.
This can be done under the authority
now existing. which enables the Presi-
dent. by executive order to dispose Of
naval vessels as he sees fit when the Gen
eral Board reports to him they are no
longer essential. But the agreement TO
limit arms to certain ratio and to OBJ
serve naval holiday will. in all proba-
bility. require treaty agreement.
II is TO this agreement the nations OF
the world viii be invited to assent. IL
is believed there will be little difficulty
in obtaining general approval OF pro-
gramme that maintains the degree OF
armament in status quo. with it's accom-
panying idea Of a naval holiday which
visualizes the day Of general disa armament
and the peaceful settlement OF all inter-
national complications.
Far Eastern Agreements.
Agreements reached as to tho Far
East VIII be In the nature OF gentle
mems agreements, which will neces-
sarily be of so mobile a character as
20 make them difficult IL not mpos-
sible TO formulate in n treaty.
In the vista of these visions suggested
by official admissions Is seen the in
tenationnl court which. by It's de-
cislons. shall direct the force of world
opinion against recourse to arms 80
long a there is possible method OF
settling differences without Il.
Elimination Of weapons susceptible Of
being used i'm aggressive war is pointed
TO as the first step In this world hope.
Any attempts to ascribe credit FOR the
world conference to one person or
another are frowned upon by men in
official life In Washington. II Is the
belief Of the highest Officials that II
the conference Is success there will
be glory enough In II for all The
President who Is occupying an i'm
portan. place in the conference nl-
though seemingly In the BACKGROUND.
is credited with keen enjoyment IN tho
part he is PLAYING. He would be the
last person, his friends say. 10 claim
any exclusive credit fer the Inception
&C the plan or FOR It's execution.
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