Evening star., 1921-11-25
CONFERENCE MOOD
SHOWING REBOUND
Change Follows Great Initial
Progress, But New Ad-
vance Expected.
BY N. O. MESSENGER.

Conferences, like people, have their
moods and respond to reaction. At
the moment the atmosphere of the
revidencing the rebound fSau,-the ;un-
precedented and unexpected progress
in the first fortnight of its session.
But as the pendulum swings many
times before the clock strikes, it may
be expected that the present state of
feeling will give way for move in
the other direction The machinery
of progress to a happy outcome is
not to be regarded as caught on a
dead center.
An existing state OF disQuietude is
attributed to the unhappiness of the
Chinese delegation, which construed
an expression of opinion in British
quarters of the application of the
Root four principles as irreconcilable
with China's interests. The Chinese,
it is reported. breathed the fear that
If this view should be found to be
that of the other powers to the con-
ference, China might have to with
draw.
May "sit Tizht- for While.
Get up steam on the George Wash
ington." commanded President. Wilson
at one stage of the Paris peace con-
gress. The ship did not sail for some
time. however, it will be recalled
Hope has not been abandoned in con-
ference circles that the Chinese dele
cation may find it possible to 'sit
=, .t,ts Ror -,
1t will be remembered that several
days ago the proposal of Japan for a
ratio Of naval strength in excess Of
that suggested for her in the Amer
lean plan of Limitation was followed
by distinct intimation from high
American quarters tfat it would not
be feasible. The Japanese delegation
did not engage passage home.
On the contrary. the best informa-
ton obtainable from Japanese and
American. sources of authority gives
ground for the expectation that this
conflict in views is now in process
prediction is made in both quarters
that failure TO reach an agreement
for material Limitation of naval ar
mament is impossible.
AS to the far eastern situation, the
status today is said to be that the
taking up on the same basis which
has existed Of confidence in their abil-
ity to reach common ground for
agreement on the troublesome ques-
tions that are developing.
Secretary Hughes, head Of the Ameri-
can delegation, conferred with President
Harding this morning before the meet
ing on the far eastern agenda. The
American delegation is understood to
be prepared to take the ground that the
conference must not be allowed to pe
diverted from the clear and distinct
bases of consideration Of the far east
ern questions, to wander off into a
maze Of details Of the principles laid
down.
Must BE Kept i'm Open.
The American delegation is also said
to be firm in its demand that the work
Of the confe .nce must continue to be
kept in the open to the greatest degree
possible with rational and reasonable
proceedings.
The stand Of the American delegation
is that a clean-cut, definite presentation
of principles to guide the proceedings
on the far eastern questions has been
proposed in the Root program and prac-
tically adopted by the conference
IT the application to practicality
and detail Of these principles shows
signs of leading into entanglements
of the work. the American delegation
will then, 1t is believed, ask that some
one Of the powers shall step forward
with a substitute equally as definite.
The fixed idea Of the American dele
cation Is said to be that the domi-
nant spirit of the conference shall be
presentation in the open Of plain and
specific propositions and their con-
sideration in spirit of frankness and
mutual good will.
The worldwide spontaneity of re-
sponse to the initial move OF the
American delegation in presenting the
naval Limitation plan is regarded as
Justification for demand that future
!, ..n