Evening star., 1921-08-06
CANADA WONDERS
AT i. S. SLIGHT"
Misapprehension There That
Nations Will Vote at Dis
arming ParIey.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

Canadian editorials reaching the
misapprehension as to the character
of the disarmament conference as it
affects the British dominions. The i'm
preston seems to exist that there will
be votes at the conference and some
writers wonder why the United States
did not issue a special invitation to
Canada.
Those in authority here say there
will be no voting at the disarmament
conference Decisions will not be
reached that way. Each power repre-
sented will have an opportunity 20
express it's views, but nothing will be
considered final until a unanimous
agreement has been reached. II there
is division of opinion, th2re will be
the usual attempts to compromise,
but unless everybody agrees to the
propositions in the end the confer
ence will have failed Of its main pur-
pose.
The peace conference at Paris was
conducted the same way-each power
had a sovereign right to disagree and
refuse to accept any part OF the
treaty, but when it was finally signed
it represented the unanimous judg-
ment of all the nations.
Recalls "six Votex.''
Theidea of votes at the November
conference on disarmament seems tc
he an outgrowth of the controversy
over the alleged six votes of the
British empire in the league of ma
tions to one on the part of the United
SfafaQ The laaQnR nf Nations
niZed the British dominions as sepa-
rate nations, but the United States
always regarded the various parts OF
the British empire as being grouped
in a single vote.
Somewhat the same attitude is to
be adopted here at the disarmament
conference. The Washington govern
ment will not issue special invitations
to the various nations in the British
empire. but will deal directly with
the British government If the latter
has in its delegation representatives
of the British dominions that. OF
course. is something to be hoped for
in order that the problems affecting
Canada. New leland and Australia in
the Pacific may be better understood
but in the end the signature of Great
Britain alone will be sought. as the
United States does not maintain
diplomatic relations with the various
states of the British Empire.
British States to BE Heard.
Even if the British delegation
doesn't include representatives of the
British dominions. the conference will
from time to time hear arguments
from any of the British states whose
position might be affected. Thus, the
Canadian premier was often given an
audience in the Paris peace parleys
and was in. frequent conference with
former President Wilson and the
heads of the other governments when
matters vital to Canada were being
considered. But consultation with
Canada or Australia or other British
dominion representatives will be along
the same line as conferences with
Holland or Belgium or other coun.
tries which have asked for an oppor'
tunity to be present when matters at.
fecting them are discussed.
that the powers invited to the confer
ence are sovereign nations and that any
agreement made by them must be
unanimous. In making the agenda OF
program for the conference the same
rules will be followed. incidentally the
United States probably will seek opinions
from other powers as to the questions
that should be included in the agenda
and will make some suggestions of hel
own.
There is every expectation that the
agenda can be completed by exchanges
of cablegrams before the conference be.
gins on November IL. All the diplo'
matte representatives of the various
powers invited will be discussing the
agenda informally for the next severa
weeks, but if the program is still incom.
plete, it can be finished after the con.
ference actually begins. Any power
moreover, will be privileged to suggest
additions to the agenda even after tho
conference has begun. but unless all ths
powers agree to include the new sub
jects they must be excluded.
Copyright, 1921)