The New York herald., 1921-11-27

spirit Of the conference and are IN
clined to view it as the proper tribunal
in which 10 press national ambitions
and to seek special privileges"
The French rc;otnter is "the British
delegates are conspirlng 10 dictate
policies that viii make for British do
minance over the whole of Europe"
The tension between the two coun-
tries has subsided for the time being,
but it is not improbable that 1t VIII
break out again when the conference
turns its attention to the subject OF
land armaments.
Annual Parleys Favored.
Officials of this Government made
no contribution TO the suggestion orig
mating in the White House that an
nual international conferences be held
to consider matters of world impor-
tance. Secretary Hughes declined to
make any comment regarding 1t. Inc
suggestion seems to have found favor
among the majority of foreign dele
gates with the exception of French
spokesmen, who, while not voiclng op-
position to il, were manifestly dis
pleased at the intimation that Ger
many will be invited to participate.
Domestic politicians hailed the sug-
gestion for annual international con-
ferences as a revival of the associa-
ton of nations plan which President
Harding proposed during the last
Presidential campaign.
Republican leaders defended the
suggestion on the ground that it would
not involve any violation Of our con-
stitutional policy or the setting up Of
complex machinery that could be ma
nipulated to draw the United States
into disputes between foreign nations
and that it would meet every objec-
ton raised against the League of Ma
tons.
This view provoked Democratic
leaders to taunt the Republicans with
the charge that the President and his
party are being forced to recognize
the principle OF the League of Nations
by the irresistible force of public SEN
timent. Republicans, however, con-
tend that no such recognition will be
implied by the adoption Of President
Harding's idea for an annual interna-
tional conference.
Justifies Ignoring League.
Opponents to the League of Nations
declare that the national differences
and personal animosities which have
been exploited at Washington with
out serious effect to date prove the
wisdom of the United States in stay
Ing out Of the league, where such diff
ferences would have involved the
United States.
A Senator who bitterly opposed the
League of Nations. in commenting on
the quarrels among European nations,
said: "You can see what we escaped
by staying out of the League of Ma
tions. Under the Harding plan we will
not be bound by the hard and fast
rules provided in the Versailles treaty"
Aside from the steady progress made
by the subcommittee on naval arma-
ments engaged in checking up the
Hughes formula with the technical ex-
perts of the United States, Great Brit
ain, France. Italy and Japan. most Of
the activity was provided by the Far
Eastern subcommittee, of which Sem
ator Underwood is chairman, and that
headed by Senator Lodge engaged In
investigating the muddled fiscal tariff.
extraterritoriality and post Office per-
plexities of China.
The Chinese delegation is credited
with a prospective victory in procuring
the Endorsement Of it's demand for the
withdrawal by the foreign Powers Of
1f.,te .t,,sa "A Htr f1,sa
latter in China.
shantung Case Up Soon.
The American delegation in express
ing satisfaction made toward un-
scrambling Chinese conditions an
nounced that subcommittee would be
created next week to take up the other
subjects embraced in the Far East
Notwithstanding, Siberia and Man
churia--to which the Chinese delega-
ton has directed specific attention.
Up to date Japan has not officially
indicated its attitude on any OF these
specific problems but it is quite prob
able proposals will be submitted on
most of them.
Spokesman for the japanese delega-
ton declined to speculate on the
probable effect of their undertaking
by the assumption of the reins of
Government by Hlrohito, the Crown
Prince. The latter returned to Japan
in September after six months tour
of Europe. He gave expression to
some progressive ideas which greatly
alarmed Prince Yamagata and the
other members of the Genro, made up
of "elder statesmen" who have been
debating the policies OF the empire
for many years.
The progressive sentiments ex-
pressed by Hirohito have done much
TO encourage the belief among the
delegates TO the Washington confer
ence that Japan will fall in line with
the spirit of its purpose and finally
contribute in the fullest to 1t. 1t is
manifest TO experienced observers
that the members Of the Japanese del
egations are proceeding with great
caution, as II awaiting developments
at home following the designation of
their new ruler.