The Washington herald., 1921-11-11


as business in anticipation of the
conference is concerned. The ar
rival here of the body of Americas
unknown soldier brought home to
all the great significance Of the
present conferences. Honor was
to be paid to the representative of
Americas fighting forces II was
paid in nearly every possible way
Nearly every visiting delegate pro-
ceeded to the Capitol and reverently
passed by the nag bedecked casket
Needs Week 10 Get Started
1t has been accepted that it will
take at least a full week for the
conference 10 commence function
Ing. From tomorrow until the
following Saturday the chief work
VIII be getting organized and de-
Gliding upon plans.
Inc administration, il is indicated.
VIII quietly resist efforts To have
Congress authorize the President To
suspend naval construction during
the conference on the limitation OF
arms ments.
Such authorization would he made
in a resolution which Senator Pom
creme. Democrat. of Ohio, r. pre-
pairing to call up and possibly force
to a showdown in the Senate.
Pomerene argues that his resolu-
ton should be adopted as an eyi-
dence of the good faith Of the United
states in advocating armament re-
duction.
Hopes to Avoid Discussion.
But the President, II Is said. holds
that he has the authority to sus-
pend construction without Congress
sional action. II he decrns suspension
desirable. The administration is
said to be anxious to avoid a dis
cussion in the Senate, just as the
conference is getting under way.
Further. in well-informed quarters
1t was said that the President would
be unlikely to order naval building
stopped until other powers-par-
ticularly Japan-had agreed to do
likewise.
My course will be determined by
developments" said Pomerene yes
terday
This was taken to mean that he
would await word from the Presi-
dent. or would wait to see what the
President would do.
senators who have advocated a
large American navy would resist
any EFFORT at suspension of building
by America alone. And IL an inter-
national agreement for suspension
were made. they would wish TO ex-
anime, and pass on. that agreement.
Fear Wreck of Program.
If suspension were ordered. IL was
thought by big navy advocates, the
government never again would be
able to complete its 1916 building
program The program. it was
pointed out, was adopted only under
the threat of the European war. Its
continuation has been provided by
Congress only with the utmost
hesitancy. Further, II was held that
IL work was stopped. large sums
would be lost through violation of
contracts, and the mechanical or
ganizations would be disrupted be-
yond hope of reorganization.
A factor in the situation Is the
reduced speed at which the program
now Is being completed, in the in
terests of economy. Battleships are
being finished at 25 per cent Of ca
pacity, and 1.-The cruisers and scout
cruisers - considered of perhaps
greater importance-are being fin-
ished at about half OF the ability of
the various yards.
Japan's first aim at the confer
ence is to gain the good will and
trust Of other nations which has
been alienated during the last few
years To this end the delegates
are prepared to give up much. The
Japanese correspondents here have
seen that, and are Yelling the people
at home not to expect too much.
They will concede Shantung TO
China. They will offer to surrender
extra territorial rights, garrisons
and concessions il the other powers,
now in China, do(he same. Great
Britain will not do this. Japan also
may discard the famous twenty-one
demands and take her chances in
ordinary business leases and COM
mercial methods.
There are rumors that there will
be a good deal of treaty scrapping.
including q stand by Secretary
Hughes for the abrogauon OF the
alliance. Into this
discard the Lansing-Ishil agreement
and the Root-Takahira agreement
would also 60, leaving the Orient
where 1t stood at the outbreak OF
the war.
The British and Japanese will
favor the Extension of the financial
into an international
body that would control temporarily
the finances and government OF
China The Japanese have little
hope that America will enter into