New-York tribune., 1921-08-16
Washington Is Officially
Notified That Premier
Will Come in Person
to Attend Conference
Harding Asks for
A 100000 Fund
Estimate Is Based on Two
Months Session; More
Is Likely To Be Needed

From The Tri6une's Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, Aug. 15.-The first
official assurance that the heads of
other governments will attend the No
vember conference in Washington on
the limitation of armaments and Far
Eastern questions was received by
President Harding to-day. communi-
cation from Premier BRAND of France,
transmitted through Myron T. Her
rick, United States Ambassador in
Paris, assured the President that
BRAND WOULD head the French dele
cation at the parley
The conference is now expected to
last two months. With this in m.-la,
President Harding to-day asked Con
gress for an appropriation of $500, 900
to meet the expenses Of the American
government in connection with the
gathering
The President transmitted to the
Senate letter from Henry P. Fletcher,
Under Secretary of State, setting forth
the reasons for asking the app-cpria-
tion. President Harding indors,d Mr..
Fletcher's reasons and recommended
compliance.
Senate Expected to Agree
Tire Senate Appropriation Committee
took up the matter without delay, and
although it has not acted formally, it
is expected to recommend the amount
desired
Mr.. Fletcher's letter brought out that
if the conference took more than two
months an additional appropriation will
be needed.
The money is to be utilized for meet
ing the expenses of the American dele
cation and its employees, for organiza-
tion of a secretariat general, for prep
aration Of information and material.
for printing and for entertainment of
the visiting delegations, as we'll as any
other objects which the President may
regard as essential
While the documents sent to the
Senate do not specifically say 80, it is
assumed the foreign governments will
pay the expenses Of their delegations
here, and that SO far as entertainment
is concerned this government will have
to meet only the cost of certain for
NAL dinners, receptions anu similar
functions.
Diplomats here say the cost of print
ing for the conference alone may we'll
exceed 100000, to say nothing of other
expenses. 1t is pointed out that cleri-
cal hire, messenger service, Office
equipment, motor cars, telephones, tele-
graph and cable facilities will very
Fletcher's Letter Included
Mr.. Fletcher's letter, which accom-
panied the Presidents note of trans
mission, said:
"The purposes of the conference are
clearly set forth in the formal invita-
tion to attend, which was issued by the
President to certain governments on
August II, 1921, copy of which is in
closed herewith. The estimate has been
prepared after full consideration of the
minimum requirements which this gov
ernment will have to meet, including
the organization of secretariat-gen-
eral for the conference, the mainte-
nance of all adequate American delega-
tion, together with the preparation of
information and material which it will
be absolutely necessary to have avail
able to assure the successful operation
of the conference. At the same time
l feel it is necessary to call attention
to the fact that it is impossible at this
date to calculate in advance the charges
which will have to be met in the mat
ter of printing. / must also point out
that the estimate is based upon the
sessions of the conference covering a
period of only two months. If the
sessions are prolonged beyond that
period it will no doubt prove necessary
to secure an additional appropriation.
"In order that the requisite prelimi-
nary steps in the organization may be
taken at once it is necessary that the
appropriation be made available at the
earliest practicable date"
May Bring Other Prcmiers
The announcement that Premier
BRAND will attend the conference has
given much satisfaction to officials
here.
1t is not yet known whether the
Premiers of Great Britain and of Japan
will attend the conference and head the
delegations of their nations. Never
theless, it is believed in many quar-
ters here tonight that the decision of
Premier BRAND to attend the confer
ence will result in Premier Lloyd
George also deciding to come as the
head of the delegation from Great
Britain.
Further than this it is believed that
with the French Premier here in person
the problem of land disarmament will
be taken up with a seriousness which ii
would not acquire otherwise.
President Harding is not expected te
change his plans as to personal par.
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