The Lake County times., 1921-11-12
BY GEORGE r. HoL1TEs


TsTAFF CORRESPONDENT 1. n. sERVIcEl
WASHINGTON, Eov. - The
statesmen Of nine nations, great ans
small met today around table Is
Try to work out by mutual agreement
g formula Of understanding that Will
make war unnecessary and relegate
armies and navies to the rank Of mere
police forces
Within sight Of the building where
the statesmen gathered IS the spot
W. re yesterday was buried one of the
millions of victims Of wars terrible
ravages and It was fresh from The
sight Of that impressive q remony
that the diplomats turned to their Ia
bors today
Seldom, If ever have the great pow
ers Of the world gathered under aus
pices more agreeable or conditions
more conductive to general peace and
concord among nations All Of the
nations represented ~ America, the
British Empire, France, Japan, italy.
China Belgium. Holland and Por- -ug I
are at peace. and their Statesmen
have arrived in Washington with tn
avowed determination o. perpetuating
that peace.
Here in the tranquil atmosphere Of
Washington, Thousands of miles re-
moved from the evidences Of wars
ravages. the great nations profess to
believe that the formula Of under
standing which they seek can be
found
The veteran diplomats Of Europe
who have anticipated in every inn
por'ant international EGrley for the
past half century characterized to-
days meeting as unique in world his
tory-a meeting called il advance 81
war. desi signed to prevent war and a
Foiuntary coming together OF the
great nations TO limit .he size Of each
others armies and navies
certainly no world conference ever
got under way in a NOR business-Iike
atmosphere. There was a worklnen-
like room plainly furnished and de-
void Or glitter and display. In The
centre Of the big. square room was a
great Ushaped table covered with
plain green cloth. The covering on
the floor was green rug. equally
plain.
he chairs for the delegates. ranged
IN the outside Of the L were Of the
nlain American. business, office va
riety, uncushioned and hard Before
aCN IeleEate was .sqIare American
desk. blotter pen ami ink. pencil
and a scratch pad. Nothing more
The only vivid note 81 color fl the
sombre room, aside from the green
covering of floor and table. was fprn-
ished by the flags of the nine nations.
gathered in two clusters immedfate,v
IN the back Of America delegates
who sat at the head of the table.
The big hall began 20 fiji early An
hour before the opening the confer
ence, the limited gallery space was
focked with people.
Two of the three sections reserved
for visitors We're necessary for the
membership of the house and senate
fully 500 Of them. The remaining sec
tion Of the upper tier was filled with
justices of the supreme court Of the
United States, government officials
and the diplomatic overflow.
II was a small and select audience
Admission was only by card. and
there were few Of them While the
session was described as public"
there weer few Of the public within
tho sacred portals when the session
got under way
The japanese and Chinese contine-
cnts we're first to appear and there
were many Of them. Major General
Tanaka. the japanese military adviser
with his aide, were followed shortly
by handful of British