The New York herald., 1921-07-11
Informal Notes Sent Great
Britain, Italy, France and
Japan to Discuss Sub
iect With America.
ONLY TOXIC HESITATES
Would Reopen Yap and Ver-
sailles Treaty, Shantung,
China's Open Door and
Far East Problems.
NEW PEACE CONVENTION
Climax Is Logical Result Of
Vigorous Foreign Policy Of
Harding and Hughes, Max
ing for End of All Wars.
NEW PEACE CONVENTION
Special Despatch 70 THE NEw YoRE EEzArp.
New York Herald Bureau

Special Despatch 70 THE Ngw YoRE NEaArp
New York Herald Bureau.l
Washington, ID. G.. July 10.
President Harding to-day made
public his momentous decision to call
an international conference in Wash
ington to discuss limitation of arma.
ment and endeavor to reach COM
mon understanding IN regard to the
problems Of the Pacific and the Far
East
Great Britain, France, Italy and
Japan are invited to participate with
the United States. China also has
been asked to take part IN the dis
cussions of Far Eastern questions
BY direction of the President, who
is cruising on the Mayfower in
Chesapeake Bay, the State Depart
ment issued formal statement late
this afternoon. declaring that the na-
tions known during the war as the
principal allied and associated Pow
ers" and China had been asked IN
formally whether such a conference
would be agreeable, with view to
the issuance of formal invitations
later.
1t is understood favorable replies
have been received informally from
all, but some doubt has been ex-
pressed on Japan's attitude. No date
has been fixed for the conference,
but 1t will probably be some time this
autumn.
Decision Is Most Important.
The Presidents decision is re-
garded as the most important of his
Administration. II relieves the OBJ.
scurity surrounding developments in
London. where a precipitate utter
snce by Premier Lloyd George last
week disclosed in part what has been
going on behind the veil Of diplo-
matte reticence.
The Presidents determination to
couple the Far Eastern and Pacific
questions with the disarmament dis
cussion is logical result Of the Wig
orous foreign policy the State De.
partment has been developing since
the advent of the Harding Admins.
tration.
II is realized that without some
definite understanding on the Pacific
problems disarmament is a merely
academic discussion. It is the aim
of the conference to eliminate the
danger now recognized as resting in
the Pacific, to assure recognition OF
American rights in the Far East and
to safeguard the open door" policy
in China.
The scope Of the conference is ex.
pected to extend even further. Any
determination Of policy reached rela
tive to the Pacific probably would in.
volve reconsideration OF some parts
of the Versailles treaty. AS, for in.
stance. the award of Shantung to
japan over the protest of China.
The Washington conference prom.
ises to be a second peace conference
perhaps Of even greater Importance
than that which was held at Yer.
sailles. Upon its success is expected
TO depend the future wellbeing Of
the world.
Keynote of Foreign Policy.
President Harding realizes the i'm.
portance Of the movement he has in.
augurated and is understood to have
staked the success of his entire for.
eign policy upon the outcome.
While the Presidents announce
ment says that formal acceptanoes
are still awaited. IL Is well known
that informal conversations have
been going on in Washington. Lon.
don and Toxic on the subject. and
with the possible exception Of Japan
all the Powers are known to be favor.
able to the project.
Japan's attitude is awakening keen
interest here. The conference offers
probable solvent for the difficulties
arising out Of the proposed renewal
OF the Anglo-Japanese alliance 1t
has become evident that japan ia
very anxious to have the alliance re.
newed. while a new world under.
standing probably would put an end
TO It.
Discussion of disarmament and OF
Pacific questions, it is believed, can.
not well do otherwise than include
the question Of the island of Yap, OF
shantung end Of Japan's policy In
China and Siberia. Having garnered