New-York tribune., 1921-09-12
Allied Cabinet
Heads to Sit i'm
Arms Council
American Selections Insure
Presence Of Lloyd George
and BRAND, for Time at
Least, Washington's View
Assistants Must Be Able
Work Will Pass To Them if
Conference Lasts Three
Months, as Now Forecast
BY Carter Field

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1.-THE cali
ber of the American delegation in the
armament limitation conference has
made it practically certain, according
to we'll informed diplomats here, that
Britain, France and Italy will send
"heads Of states," to use the Versailles
term, instead of men who merely rep
resent the heads of states.
Thus, it is assumed here tonight,
Lloyd George will now almost certainly
come here himself, and that, despite
the various conflicting reports from
Paris, BRAND will also come. AS to
others in the British delegation, there
is much speculation here and little
real information. A. J. Balfour is
thought to be the most likely man
after Lloyd George himself, though
Lord Curzon, Secretary. of State for
Foreign Affairs, may be here in Bal
four's place. 1t is scarcely thought
likely, for various reasons, that both
Balfour and Curzon will make the trip.
Official Washington would be de-
lighted if Earl Grey, who, as Ambassa-
dor, President Wilson would never re-
ceive, should be sent over. He built up
wide circle of close friends and ad-
mirers here during his brief tenure of
office, and it is felt that he has a
more sympathetic understanding OF the
American point Of view and of the
ramifications of American politics than
almost any man in British public life.
Geddes May Be One of Big Four
Sir Auckland Geddes, the present
Ambassador, may readily be named as
one of the four. His qualifications are
of the highest and his value to the
British delegation undoubted. In his
case, however, Lloyd George may rea-
son that, inasmuch as Sir Auckland will
be here anyhow, constantly advising
with the British delegation, it might
we'll be advisable to give some one else
the advantage of the official designa-
ton. SO that an additional brain could
be added to the British aggregation
There is believed to be possibility
that the British dominions will seek
separate representation in the confer
ence, though it has been assumed until
the last few days that they would be
represented through the British dele
CATION, probably by having at least one
of the dominion premiers included in
the British Big Four. The presence in
Washington of the dominion premiers
has been assumed from the first, as has
their influence on the British official
delegation. The only question is the
status the premiers will have, not their
| the dominion heads is named on the
British delegation it is assumed here
that the choice will be Premier
Meighen, of Canada
The assumption that Lloyd George
| will come in person has intensified in
terest in the probable duration Of the
conference. No one here has the
slightest idea of how long it will last
1t is known that the State Department
frankly confessing that this is only 6
vague guess, has made arrangements as
though it would extend over q period
! of two months. 1t is assumed that the
meeting will run on for at least that
long, and some estimate had to be made
1t is taken for granted that Lloyd
George and BRAND will not be able te
remain in Washington for any such
length of time.
According to estimates here Lloyc
George and BRAND will not be able tt
stay in Washington longer than 6
month at thes outside. This would
mean an absence for both of approx
mately six weeks from their own cen.
ters of government, allowing a week
|
eially in the case of the French Premier
would be straining affairs bit.
Lieutenants Must Be Able Men
This does not mean that the confer
ence of necessity would have to con
clude its business in one month. NJ
such happy result is expected by ever
the most optimistic prognosticator. Blu
it would mean that the conference
would have to be carried on after theil
departure by their lieutenants, whicl
carries with it the assumption that ths
second men of these delegations viii
be the best men that can be picked, &C
cording to the judgment of their chiefs
II am figuring on one month for III,
heads of states, another month during
which their chief lieutenants will carr,
on the work, and then perhaps a tyinl
in of loose ends during third month,
said a usually very we'll informed
diplomat to-day.
All of which carries the ASSUMPTION
that the big problems will be attacked
and solved if possible Immediately af
ter the council convenes and that the
lines Of the final agreement will have
been broadly sketched before the enc
of the first month.