Arizona republican., 1921-07-11

These announcements were embod- jed in statement issued tonight by the state department ~by direction of the president
 The president. in view of the far reaching importance of the question of limitation of armaments has ap- preached with informal but definite inquiry the group of powers hereto fore known as the principal allied and associated powers, that is. Great Britain, France. Ital.- and Japan, to ascertain whether it would be agree able to them to take part in a con- ference on this subject to be held in Washington at time to be mutually agreed upon. If the proposal is found to be applieahfe formal invitations for such conference will be issued
 Tt is manifest that the limitation of armaments has a close relation to peace and Far Eastern problems and the president has suggested that the powers especially interested in these problems should undertake in connection with thIs conference the consideration of all matters bearing upon the, solution. with a view to reaching a common understanding with respect to principles and policy in the Far East This has been com municated to the powers concerned and China has also been advised to take part in the discussion relating tc Far Eastern problems
 The fact that the president has suggested fo the interested nations a joint discussion of the Far East ern and Pacific problems came as something of a surprise in Washing ton. The departments statement did not make clear what nations had been approached on these particular sub jects, but aside from China. which was specifically named. it was as- sumed that Great Britain and Japan were, among them.
 Renewal of Anglo-Japanese alli- ance now is under discussion by the British and Japanese governments
 but whether thi is considered by Mr.
 Harding as within the scope of the proposed conference on Pacific and
 Far Eastern problems has not been disclosed. Mir Lloyd George. British
 premier. announced recently in the house of commons that he expected to have statement to make with re- gard to the alliance tomorrow. but this was dependent upon the re- plies received from the United States, Japan and China"
 Proposals for a conference on world | OlSdlIudInSIlI were iIlCue III COuEIeSs some months ago and a resolution by | Senator Borah, Republican of Idaho. asking the president to invite Great ! Britain and Japan to confer with the ! United States on the question of lim- | iting naval construction has been made a part of the naval appropria- ton bill and accepted by the senate ! and house.
 The president. however, apparent | ly has gone much further than the i suggestion in the Borah resolution. | His inquiries have been addressed to | France and 1ta'v as we'll and there 1 is nothing in the statement Of the state department announcement to- night to suggest that the limitation of armaments be confined solely to naval | construction.
 When the disarmament question | was discussed in congress, various
 proposals were made that any con- l ference on this subject contemplate | a reduction of armies well as na-
 vies, but some members felt that
 France could not be expected to con-
 sent 10 any material reduction of its
 land forces now.
 Senator Borah said tonight that he ! preferred to withhold comment on the | state department announcement until he had opportunity to study it.