The New York herald., 1921-12-24
CLEAR CUT STAND
British, French and
japanese Delegates
Willing to Add to
Pacific Treaty
HARDING MAPS POLICY
COnfers With Hughes and
Announces Plan for Bet.
ter Team Work.
WILL GET DAILY REPORTS
Opposition to Four Power Pact
Slowly Crystallizes in
the Senate.
WILL GET DAILY REPORTS
BY LOUIS sEIBOLD.

BY LOUIS SEIBOLD.
Special Dispatch to THE New York HErALn.
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington. ID. C.. Dec. %.
Convincing evidence that there will
be better teamwork between officials
Of the Government and members of
the American delegation in the in
ternational conference, as well al
clearer definitions of achievements,
was furnished to-day in a statement
by the President of the United States.
This statement, which reflected
concern over the awkward situation
caused by specious opposition due to
the failure of Senator Lodge to de.
fine more accurately the status of
Japan under the terms of the four
Power Pacific treaty, was made by
the President following conferences
with Secretary Hughes.
There Is reason to believe the
American delegates already have dis.
cussed the advisability of uniting
with those of Great Britain, France
and Japan on protocol to be APP
pended to the treaty which will make
material reservations unnecessary.
The delegates of Great Britain,
France and japan are understood to
have indicated their readiness to sign
any understanding Of this character
their American associates may pro.
pose.
Harding's Attitude Defined.
The Presidents statement is not
interpreted to reflect his wish to as
sumo active supervision of American
interests in conference undertakings.
1t is construed to mean the definition
OF the future policy to govern the &C.
tions of the American representatives
in the conference by which it is
hoped embarrsssments like that
caused by the recent conflict of views
over the meaning of the four Power
Pacific treaty will be avoided.
1t is understood that in future q
clear cut and definite statement and
Interpretation Of conference develop.
ments will be furnished to the Presi.
dent every day. The President and
the American delegates believe the
ferment over the treaty will not stand
against the merits Of the instrument
when IL has been thoroughly anal.
yzed. after Senators Lodge and Un.
derwood, who are members of the
American delegation, have explained
II to their colleagues.
There is reason to believe that tho
decision of the Government to stand
pat OH the four Power treaty and to
permit its opponents to develop as
many talking points" as they like was
reached at the conference at the White
House this afternoon between the
President and Secretary Hughes. Both
were in the best of good humor at the
close of the interview.
Harding Replies to Inquiries.
In his subsequent conference with
more than 100 reporters. the President
had a great deal more 10 say about tho
international conference than at any
time since his address calling IL to or
der seven weeks ago to-day His cc1i-
ments were inspired by an inquiry
whether he would sanction Senate res.
ervations excluding the United States
from military participation that might
be invoked under the Pacific agree.
ment. as is alleged by some OF its
critics.
The Presidents reply vas that his
record in the Senate on tho subject
furnished sufficient answer in this
respect lie said he did not believe
such reservation would be necessary
or even advocated when the treaty i8
more clearly understood.
Another inquiry as to whether the
conference will give further considers.
ton to the subject Of land armaments
eliclted the reply that he wished that
accomplishment were possible. In an
swering another question as to the
possibility of revising the Versailles
treaty TO harmonic with the undertake
ings of tho Washington conference. the
President said that was a problem for
the European nations 10 settle among
themselves
lie further declared he did not think
there was any possible connection be-
tween the League of Nations and tho
four Power treaty except. of course.
the League of Nations Is rnanifestly "a.
spired and organized to promote peace
and this conference is aimed in tho
same direction"
Opposition to the four Power traaty.