The Washington herald., 1921-08-03
HUGHES BEATS
LLOYD GEORGE
IN ARMS MOVE
Secretary Blocks Repeti.
tion of Premier's Pre-
Paris Tactics.
NJ ROBERT ,. BENDER.


The hrst friendly test Of dipio-
matte wills between Secretary of
State Hughes and Premier Lloyd
George has returned Hughes the
winner.
A London cable says oniciaily
that Lloyd George has abandoned
his recent proposal Of having q
preliminary conference on Far East
ern affairs between the United
States and Great Britain. to be
held at London.
Abandonment Of the project shows
that the British premier has failed
In attempting to pursue tactics
with Hughes that he used success
fully before the Paris peace meet.
And now that the first idea Of q
preliminary conference has been
wiped of the slate. some interest
ing sidelights on the maneuver
may be told.
Lloyd George In Ne Hurry.
Those who attended the peace
conference at Paris will recall the
dismay and chagrin that attended
the American peace commission
when II reached Paris, ready and
anxious to begin work Immediately.
only to ind that Lloyd George was
not among those present and had
no plans for Fastening his appear
ance. It also Will be recalled that
while President Wilson was on the
high seas en- route to Paris the
first time a preliminary conference
was held at London attended by
LLOYD George, Ciemenceau ana
Premier Orlando OF italy. Col.
House being I'll. the American peace
delegation was out Of the picture.
Nevertheless, at that conference Il
was decided among those present
what should be the general course
and In some cases the exact course
to be pursued in solving the prob
lens that were to arise later.
After Wilson's arrival at Paris he
let It be known that he was ready
for business-but Lloyd George
showed no signs OF Immediately
crossing the channel. Informal in
quiries were launched by Col. House
to learn the reason and press of
domestic affairs" was given as the
answer. II would seem, however.
that Lloyd George really wished TO
meet Wilson -hrst on British ground.
The Premier's Asvantsge.
So the preliminaries Of the Paris
conference started with Wilson 60
ing to Lloyd George on his visit
to England at Christmas time. in
stead OF Lloyd George coming to
Wilson. This was an advantage for
Lloyd George which, say many of
the modern historians. the British
premier never Yielded thereafter.
After the Washington disarm-
ament conference proposal was
launched. the wisacres here said:
Walt a few days and you will see
Lloyd George attempting to draw
Hughes to London first"
And SO 1t was. But Hughes Is a
welshman. even as Lloyd George,
exchanges that followed the sug-
gestion of the London conference
Hughes remained adamant. He was
not to be drawn to ground selected
by the British premier. Washing
ton was the place designated as the
scene OF the conference and at
Washington the conference would
be held.
ProAted by Others' Loss.
OF course It was all very friend
ly-like, but behind It all diplomatic
observers here saw that Lloyd
George was attempting to feel out
Hughes and that Hughes was mind
full Of what the British premier had
done to the American delegation be-
fore the Paris conference.
In this ,ocKeying about for posi-
tion, particularly as between Lloyd
George and Hughes. there Is an in
terest in all quarters here which for
the moment transcends that in the
conference itself.
1t is believed also Lloyd George
will attempt further preliminary ef-
forts designed to ascertain jus,
what sort of q nan he Is to deal
| with in Hughes. And some believe
that these preliminaries will very
largely determine whether the Brit
ish premier personally participates
in the Washington conference.
Probably November II.
The idea of the London meeting
having been abandoned discussion:
will be started at once in regard tc
the agenda. Secretary Hughes 4,
perfectly agreeable to these discus
/ sions effecting q definite program
but wishes the way left open for
broadening the agenda after the
conference meets, II such action
seems advisable.
Inquiries regarding the date Of the
conference tend to make NovembeI
IL Increasingly certain as the open
ing day.