The New York herald., 1921-08-06
DOMINION PREMIERS
HURT BY j. S. ACTION
Regret Refusal to Approve
Preliminary Meeting to
Arms Conference.
THOUGHT 1T OUR IDEA
Expected to Agree on Sub
stitute for Jap Treaty to
Satisfy America.
THOUGHT 1T OUR IDEA
STATEMENT GIVES VIEWS
Discussion Of Empires Affairs
Effects Remarkable Change
in British Policy.

Special Cable to THE NEW YORK HERALD.
Copyright, 1921, by THE New York HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
London, Aug. s.
The Imperial Conference of Premiers
feels itself severely rebuffed by Presi-
dent Hardings refusal to invite the
political heads of the dominions to at
tend preliminary meeting with Jap
anese representatives at Washington
forthwith to discuss the possibility of
substituting for the Anglo-Japanese
agreement some larger arrangement
between the three great Powers con-
cerned. namely the United States
japan and Great Britain"
This was revealed in an official
statement issued after the final ad-
journment of the conference here to-
Japan had accepted such a suggestion,
which the imperial conference thought
had emanated from Washington. When
later Washington made 1t clear that
liminary meeting, the imperial confer
ence dropped the subject, though it
does not fail to express chagrin that
much time was devoted to planning to
go Immediately to Washington with
Premier Lloyd George and Lord Cur
zon, In accordance with what was be.
lieved to be Washhgton's desire.
Dominion Premiers Active.
Despite the informal character of to-
days statement II reveals the truth of
Mr.. Lloyd Georges aphorism. "The EN-
pire Is running Downing Street" The
Dominion Premiers not only discussed
Empire affairs but exercised a control
ling voice In the Silesian policy and the
all important matter OF the conference
at Washington. thus e.fecting a change
In the British constitution perhaps the
most important since King John met the
barons at Runnymede.
The statement says regarding Wash
ington In accordance with a sugges-
ton believed to have been made by the
American Government that the confer
ence on disarmament should be preceded
by friendly conversations and consulta-
tions between the Powers principally
concerned in the future Of the Far East
and the Pacific. the Imperial Conference
was anxious that for the AnSlo-Japanese
agreement should be substituted some
larger arrangement between the three
great Powrs concerned. namely. the
United States, Japan and Great Britain.
And holding the firm conviction that
later discussions on disarmament to
which they attached transcedent impor-
tance could best be made effective by
previous mutual understanding on the
Pacific questions between those Powers,
the conference devoted many hours to
examination OF the question as to how
such an understanding could be best ar-
rived at, where the proposed conversa-
ton could be best held. in what manner
the representatives OF the British Domin-
ions who are SO vitality affected could
most easily participate. and upon what
broad principles of policy It was de-
sired 10 proceed.
Reason for London Farley.
1T was difficult for the Dominion
Prime Minister, to attend at Washington
late in the autumn. On the other hand
advantage might be taken of their pres
ence in England to exchange views with
tho representatives OF the other great
Washington later on. 1t was under
these circumstances that the idea was
mooted OF preliminary conversations or
consultations to which the American
Government had In principle agreed
should be held In London.
when X transpfred little later that
there was some misunderstanding as to
the nature of the preliminary conversa-
lions which had been suggested the
British Government in an earnest desire
TO remove any possible misconception
and TO meet what II believed to be the
American views on each stage OF the
impending discussions, volunteered to
attend meeting on the other side of
the Atlantic at which the agenda Of the
forthcoming conference at Washington
could be discussed and friendly ex-
change take place In order to facilitate
the work of the main conference later
on.
The British Prime Minister and For
eign Secretary, together with the Domin-
ion Premiers, were prepared to attend
such meeting II invited to do so by
the American Government The Japan
ESQ Government signified its willing
ness IL invited, 20 take part In the sug-
gested conversation.
"The American Government, however.
did not favor the idea. which accordingly
was dropped. This conclusion was
viewed with the utmost regret by the
members OF the imperial conference, who
had devoted no small portion OF their
time to working out arrangements which
they understood would have been equally
acceptable TO all parties and its
abandonment could not. they feared, be
otherwise than prejudical to the great
objects which ell had in view.
Need Pacific Understanding.
AT no stage had II been suggested
that the results OF such a conversation
as contemplated should either anticipate
the work or tie the hands of the Wash
ington conference at a later date. On
the contrary. holding as we do the frm
belief that without a Pacific under
standing the conference on disarmament
will find It less easy to attain the SUI
preme results hoped for by all. the i'm
per,ai conference made the proposal be-
fore referred TO because IL was anxious
to remove every possible obstacle from
the path of the Washington meeting.
which they desire 20 see attended with
complete and triumphant success"
The Premiers had already indicated
informally their desire to go TO Wash
ington, but to-day's statement was the
first hint OF how fnr they had actually
gone along that path, or that they had