The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-11-13
ARMS REDUCTION
 UNLESS BLOCKED
 BY OTHER ENVOYS
No Politics to Be Played By Members of American Del egation at Washington
 Conference
By HUGH W. ROBERTS Washington Bureau, The Age Her
 kO0 narIdann Ruf

800 Davidson Building,
 Washington. November 12.-(Spe- cial.)--The unanimous agreement of the American delegation to the Washinbton conference. which infor- naliy entered upon its business to- day regarding the reduction of naval armament, means two things in the opinion of Washington observers:
 l. That unless foreign diplomats block America. there will be prac- tical reduction in armament to the extent that it will be satisfactory to the people; and,
 2. That there will be no politics played by the members of the Amer jean delegation,
 Senator Oscar W. Underwood, tho democratic member, stated immedi- ately after his appointment that the democratic party, in connection with the conference, had no reason or op- portunity to play politics. Today he reiterated that statement The three republican members have no political ax to grink inasmuch as they repre- sent q President of their own politi- ical faith.
 The Political Effect
 The only politics involved in the conference will be subsequently, de- veloped. There Is no doubt but that if good Is accomplished and the tax alton of the people appreciably re- duced, President Harding, when next a candidate, will cite the happy re- suit as one main reason why he should be given a second term.
 Because O. the adbantage the re- publican candidate would have in that event, certain dem ocrats, inn mediately after Underwood was named. asked him to refuse to serve. Others are even now suggesting that he be certain that a permanent rec. ord be maintained to the end that when time for It's publication ar rives, the people will know that the democratic spokesman opposed his republican colleagues whenever they unanswered against the best inter ests of the people.
 Senator Underwood has taken the position that in the event of success democrats will share in the favorit- ism of the people in that 1t was by their votes that the Borah amend nent, providing for the conference. was passed. It is also his point that it would be fatal for the democratic party to attempt to throw any handi- cap around the conference.
 Hope fin Underwood
 Democrats in Congress expect Sem ator Underwood to prove invaluable because of his inclination to CO., operate, because of his poise under fire, and because of his fondness for putting the "cards on the table," And republicans, to less extent, possibly, think likewise. Senator Borah, in this connection, has stated that the hope of success depended on Under wood because of the four American delegates. he alone was little army and navy man. Borah referred to Lodge and Root as militarists at heart, and to Hughes as one lacking arriving force in times of emergency.
 However that may be, the Presi- dent Is generally congratulated be- cause of his appointments. The pres eDce of Lodge and Underwood will assure ratification by the Senate of any result in which the American delegation agrees. Underwood Is re- garded as 6 leading exponent of dem ocratic thought in the country and n statesman of what Is known as the solid south.' The Secretary of State, Mir. Hughes, Is admittedly one of the able men of the United States, and together with Root, information ally known for transcendent ability. will represent that faction in the United States which regarding the versailles treaty refused to go as far