New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-10-09
Britain Is Not
u. S.
To Cancel Debt
Agitation to Create Stir
Over War Obligations
Laid to Group Obstruct-
ing Anglo-Amcrican Ties
Balfour To Be Spokesman
Masses Hope for Economic
Readjustment, but Dele
gates Want Our Good Will
By Arthur s Draper

From The Tribune's Voshinoton Rvr,ou
Copyright. 1921. New York Tribune. Inc.
LONDON, Oct. 8.-Among the i n
spired articles on the WASHINGTON con-
terence on armament limitation appear
ing IN newspapers and magazines here
to-day are several asserting that
Arthur ]. Balfour will head the British
delegation and that Premier LLOYD
George will drop in for the later ses-
slons, provided everything goes we'll
with the Irish negotiations and the
unemployment situation
The Balfour tip seems reasonably
good, but the Premier's plans depend
more perhaps upon the developments
IN Washington than upon those in Lon
don. Whatever feeling Americans may
have that the Britons regard the con-
ference lightly are no longer justified
The British are now going at the
Washington gathering as though it had
been called by Lloyd George rather
than President Harding.
Press comment is extremely clever,
however, and there is danger that
Americans will be miscd into believing
that the governments in Washington
London and Paris will be affected by a
re-conference frigh. over war obliga-
tions. At first glance, it might seem as
if Great Britain were begging the
United States to cancel her debt or
threatening to pursue policy of OBJ
structlon if her pleas are unheeded.
Nothing could be further from the
truth.
Would Avoid Antagonism
Before attempting to analyzc the
situation it ought to be recalled that
in Great Britain there Is group
similar to one in the United States,
which works constantly, not to improve
AngloAmerican relations but to in
crease the difficulties of helping the
peoples to understand each other Just
as certain American journals, notably
the Hearst group, picture John Bull as
a cunning, conniving fellow who can
not be trusted, SO there are British
organs which never miss an opportu-
nifty to paint Uncle Sam as a swagger-
ing and boastful enemy of this
country.
One London newspaper felt con-
strained this week to say:
"At such moment as this, when the
Washington conference is drawing
near, solemn responsibility rests
upon the press and upon public men to
say nothing calculated to influence feel
ing or stir up fears and suspicious
which it is the business of statesman
ship to make groundless."
Dispatches published here indicate
that a similar appeal might have been
made in America.
So much for the minority view in
both countries. 1t is venturcsome to
attempt to forecast the British govern
mont's policy on all Of the many mat
tcrs which have been discussed in
Washington. but there is not the least
doubt that Great Britain and France
will be found striving to outdo ench
other in a scramble TO obtain the good
Will of the United States.
Political Settlement Necessary
Among the masses of Europe there
exists the hope that some agreement
will be reached at Washington where
by economic conditions will be i'm
proved, perhaps through reductions in
armament expenditures. 1t is the hope
Of pure rcalists who will measure sue
cess by pounds, francs and dollars. The
government delegates will have rather
different standards. Good will is about
the most satisfactory word to express
Continued on page three)