Evening star., 1921-09-22
MANY WOULD HELP
CHOOSE ADVISERS
President Considers Person.
mel and Scope Of Commit
tee for Arms ParIey.
BY N. O. MESSENGER.

oI Ne " MESSCNu6hs
President Harding's intention. an
nounced last Tuesday, to appoint an
advisory committee for the American
delegation to the conference on srma-
ment limitation has apparently at
tracted wide attention, as he Is re-
ceiving ma ny suggestions upon the
scope of the subjects to be covered
and recommendations as to the per-
sonnel of the committee
The President is taking his time
in considering both the suggestions
and recommendations and probably
will NOT announce his selection for
some time to come. It is quite evil
dent that everything in connection
with the conference Is being followed
with close interest throughout the
country and that the public is deeply
stirred over the great event
Proposals originating in the Senate
to urge fullest publicity of the pro-
ceedings Of the conference did not
draw comment from administration
state Department has been that this
10 subject which will be dealt with
by the conference in its own way and
a. circumstances may dictate from
time to time.
One of the prominent subheads of
the governments tentative sugges-
tfons for the agenda of the conference
Is under the title of Rules for Con-
trol of Neg Agencies OF wa-fars. .''
This is regarded in military and naval
circles as a mighty important feature
OF the conferences proposed deter
nina tfon and ID likely to be of pro-
found interest to the public generally.
1t is said. =
Since the close of the great war
there have been repeated statements
In more than one country of immense
strides being made in the discovery
OF new agents of destruction and their
perfection to horrifying magnitude.
The public Imagination has been
aroused, as all of the statements were
more or less mysterious. lacking in
specific detail. but conveying porten-
tous intimations.
May Demand Publfeity. .
1t is expected that there will be a
general demand that the conference
devote particular attention to this
subject, and take steps, along with
its general scheme for limitation of
armament; to bring about effective
agreements for the minimizing of the
use by the nations of these new and
frightful agencies of destruction. 1t
is suggested that the public will de-
mand publicity to the utmost degree
upon the deliberations of the confer
ence over this subject.
The work of the conference is ex.
pected to divide itself into two main
groups. each with many classffica-
tions. coming under the head of DO
htical and economical 1t is the opin-
ion of this government that consid- :
GRAFTON of the two groups will pro-
coed concurrently.
Under the political heading would
be included the questions of territory
and the claims and rights Of the ma
tions to spheres of influence, while the
economic heading would take in cues.
tions relating to Limitation Of arma.
ment and Its effects upon national
expenditures. with the resulting bur
den upon Taxpayers
Many Specialists. -
II is this prospect OF division of the
work which necessitates the appoint
ment Of advisory committees and viii
employ the services OF such a num-
ber of men and women of many
minds, specializing in their respective
fields OF research and technical report.
The conference is expected to- assume
the proportions of a great collection
Of machinery Of different sizes, OBJ
jects and uses. working to turn out q
specified project. but each group do
ing its own peculiar specialized work
The State Department up to this
time has no approximate idea of the
number of assistants; secretariats and
advisory officers coming to the con-
ference. but expects q very large at
tendance and Is making plans to
house the offices in the Navy building.
It may also use the Red Cross build
ing for an auditorium. There Will be
no lack Of room or facilities for the
workshops of the conference.
The State Department Is also con-
cerning itself with such details as
hotel rates and prices for the accom-
mediation of the delegates and on
cials. Undersecretary Fletcher has re-
cefved assurances from the citizens
committee appointed by the District
Commissioners that this question, Is
receiving careful attention and the
government need have no apprehen-
sion of exorbitant rates being per-
mitted to obtain, 1. ~, -