South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-08-13
HARDING WILL
NOT TAKE ANY
ACTIVE PART
President to Remain i'm Back.
ground After Delivering
Opening Address.
AWARD OTHER PLACES
Expect Full Selection of Dele
cation SOon-Will Super
wise Movements.

BY Associated Press:
WASHINGTON. Aug. 12-Arv
expectation that Pres.t Harding VIII
himself act as delegate 20 the
disarmament conference was over
thrown Friday by a white house an
nouncement that he had definitely
designated secy Hughes OF the stste
department to head the American
delegation.
1t was said that other members
were yet 90 be chosen. although the
president is known TO have narrowed
considerably the list Of those he con-
slders available and may reach the
point OF other definite selections ia
the very near future. He lis under
stood TO have decided that at least
one Of the places shall go 10 a Unit
ed States senator. and the choice Of
"a woman as a member of the dele
cation still is within the range Of
posi- biIity.
The exact role 20 be played bv the
president never has been officially
defined, but the general expectation
is that after delivering the opening
address Of the conference on Nov.
H. he viii remain in the back
ground of the negotiations leaving
direct contact with the foreign com
missioners TO his accredited repre-
sentatives. but at the same time
keeping in close touch with them
and with all the proceedings of the
conference.
Can Reserve Efforts.
by this course Mr. Harding will
| be in a position similar to that OF
Prest Poincare OF France, when he
opened the Versailles conference and
{ then retired from actual partfci-
patton In the proceedings. Pres't
Harding's close advisers are said 10
feel that by keeping away from de-
tails Of the disarmament discussions
he can reserve his efforts for the
more important features and be so
placed as 10 act as mediator for an
rhe delegates IN any disagreement
Il ar may threaten the success Of the
conference.
Not only has the president placed
Mr.. Hughes az the head Of the Amer
lcan delegates, but ne also has turn
ed over 20 the state department The
task of clearing away all the details
remaining 10 be disposed Of before
the conference meets. To is under
stood that the chief executive in
tends 90 supervise only the more inn
portant moves and has encouraged
the department 90 work OUT lesser
problems on its own responsibility.
one Of the problems which threat
ems 10 occupy the attention OF q r4r-e
STAFF before II is solved. was tackled
by the department Friday when u
offered its aid 10 the embassies ana
legations Of the invited nations i'm se-
curing suitable quarters and other
accommodations for the visiting del
egauons. Each Of the powers Is ex-
pected 10 send a large corps u ex-
perts. clerks and other attaches with
its commission and the task II pro-
viding them, not only place no live.
but office space as well may REQUIRE
an extensive survey ~ housing facil-
titles.
Discuss Statement
While replies were awaited 20 The
formal invitations dispatched Thurs
day. speculation in diplomatic cir
cles here Friday was concerned
chiefly with the scope which may be
taken By the conference under rhs
terms laid down by the invitations.
The most lively topic % discussion
was the statement IN the text or tho
invitations that there should be- no
consider don Of matters which have
been and are OF international con-
Germ.
In the absence OF any interpreta-
ton by the state department s.r,9-
mausts were not inclined % predict
that the American government
would seek To include Incidents Dip
lomaricauy closed az among those
which might properly come before
the conference. Had che phrase
read. Have been or of interrs tloral
concern" instead OF "have been ana
are IL was pointed our. there might
be ground % suppose that j. MAS
sought 20 reopen old controversies.
At the same time. j. WAS conceded
that there may boz easily differences
n opinion as % what are closed t-rs-
dents. .n which case The conference
itself would have 20 decide whether
% take up the subjects ln question.