The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-08-12
Issues Formal Invitations to
Four Countries for Disarm-
ament Conference.
BORAH URGES AVOIDANCE
OF SECRECY AT MEETINGS
Harding Says Must Seek Ground
For Agreement as to Prin-
ciples to Secure Peace
tey The AssoeIated pre.s,

(5y The Associated Press)
WASHINGTON, Aug. a1.-Putting
into definite terms It's proposal for a
disarmament conference,( the United
States today invited the great powers
to unite in "a practical effort to re-
move the causes OF misunderstanding
and so facilitate reduction of the
worlds enormous outlay for the ma
terials of war"
In formal identic notes of invita-
ton forwarded to Great Britain,
France, Italy and Japan the American
government pledged it's own unstinted
cooperation in such an effort and
further defined as follows its own con-
ception OF the principles involved:
That there can be no hope for peace
or stability until the tax burden re-
sulting from heavy ornaments has
been reduced.
That such n reduction is possible
only IL troublesome international prob
lens are soYed by common consent.
That among these problems the
Pacific and Far Eastern questions oc-
cupy a position Of sunquestioned inn
portance."
That although there is no intention
to dictate the scope of the conference
the discussions should touch upon
matters which have been "of inter
national concern as well as those now
admittedly controversial, and,
That the question of naval arma-
nqents might well be considered first,
although there should be no barrier
10 a full consideration of ornaments
of every sort.
Coincidentally with the dispatch Of
the invitations to the four great pow
ers, China was asked to send a deie-
cation to take part in those discus
sions of the conference which relate
to the Pacific and Far East. All of
the five nations thus invited have IN
dicated informally that they would ac-
cept, and formal responses are ex-
pected to reach Washington with a
few days. opening the way for more
detailed preliminary negotiation on the
scope of the conference.
While the official invitations were
on the cables President Harding
turned his attention to a survey of
sentiment in the senate which has
joint responsibility with the executive
in foreign relations. He summoned to
the White House Senator Borah, re-
publican. of Idaho, author of the reso-
luton requesting the calling of a dis
armament conference and in a confer
ence OF more than an hour went over
foreign problems generally as they are
likely to affect the attitude Of the
American representatives in the con-
ference.
One subject understood to have re-
ceived special attention at the con-
ference was the proposal for free tolls
for American coastwise ships at the
Panama Canal. Mr.. Harding is said
to have expressed no objection to the
Idaho senator's proposal to press his
bill for such a provision but at the
same time is understood to have given
it as. his opinion that diplomatic ne
gotiAtions now proceeding on the sub
ject should be carried forward without
interruption.
Senator Borah is said also to have
urged the president to avoid any ap-
peaeance OF secret diplomacy in con-
nectlon with the disarmament con-
OAltNldAS AicbNS
held, however that although public
opinion must be brought behind the
work of the assembled delegates to
assure their success, the question of
public or open sessions is one that
only the conference itself can decide.
The text of the official invitations 70
Great Britain and China We're made
public late today at the state depart
ment. That to Great Britain which
was identic with the notes to France,
Italy and Japan except for the in
sertion OF the respective names of the
powers addressed, follows:
The president is deeply gratificd
at the cordial response to his sugges-
ton that there should be conference
on the subject OF limitation of arma-
1nent in connection with which Pacific
and Far Eastern questions should also
sbe discussed.
productive labor is staggering un-
der an economic burden too heavy 10
be borne unless the present vass' pub
lie expenditures are greatly reduced
1t is idle TO took for stability or the
issuance OF soc.4i justice. or tie Sc
curity OF pea,e. while wastesnl snl
unproductive outlays deprive effort Of
its just reward and defeat the reason
(continued on Page Two)