Evening star., 1921-09-21
Elasticity of Tentative Sug-
gestions Thought Pleasing
to Nations.
CONVENTION MAY TAKE UP
MATTERS IN ANY ORDER
Preliminary Program Not to Be
Binding-May Study Several
Items at Once.
BY n. o. MESSENGER.

The State Department today made
public the tentative suggestions as to
the agenda for the conference on the
Limitation of armament which have
heretofore been submitted to the
powers invited to the conference. The
suggestions are drawn in the most
general way, the idea of this govern
ment being that specification would
be limitation, which is contrary to the
policy of the United States.
This government is approaching the
whole subject of Limitation Of arma-
ment and far eastern problems in a
sincere spirit. with the utmost friend
ship to all the nations concerned. and
desiring to remove all difficulties in
the way of consideration of the ques-
tions which are to come UP.
1t Is the wish of the government
that the agenda should be elastic and
that no bar shall be placed in the way
OF possible suggestions from other
countries. Quite contrary to reports
published abroad that there is dis
satisfaction with the agenda, this
government has received no intima-
tion from any source to that effect.
In high governmental circles it was
suggested today that the view should
States finds itself resting it's destiny
in the measure of success of the forth
coming conference, nor as regarding
the meeting and it's accomplishments
as OF super Importance to all world
affairs. This is thought corrollary
to the warning note hitherto sounded
against expecting the conference to
bring about an unreasonable extent
OF limitation of armament.
Plan Not to Restrict
While limitation Of naval armament
is the first item on the agenda, it
does not follow that it will be con-
sidered before any other subject. 1t
is deemed quite possible, 1t is ex-
planned, that several topics may be
IN course of study and preparation
concurrently and that the conference
will decide the order of business and
take up for action whichever subject
Is deemed most appropriate at the
time. The whole object of the gov
ternment is to arrange matters so that
there can be discussion without
Limitation through restrictions i'm
roSsd IN Advance. - q
It Il; meds plain by the government
with the utmost degree of practfcality
and with an entire absence of dramat-
ic effect.
Under the general heading of Pacific
and far eastern questions the tenta-
tive suggestions as to the agenda
ments." This is explained to mean
that 1t. Is thought desirable to have.
an exchange of views of the several
governments as to what may be re-
garded by them as commitments. Such
an exchange would open up some in
teresting vistas of the attitude of
particular nations upon this subject
Wanta Treaties Ratified
1t was understood today to be the
desire of the President that the con-
ference may not find the peace
treaties under discussion in the Sem
ate at the time its deliberations are
under vay. and efforts will be made
to expe lite ratification Of the treaties
to that end.
The tentative suggestion as to the
-agenda for the conference on the limita-
ton Of armament made public by the
State Department follows:
Limitation of armament:
"One. Limitation of naval armament.
under which shall be discussed: (a)
Basis of limitation. (b) extent. (c) full
fillment
Two Rules for control OF new aeep-
cies Of warfare.
Three. Limitation of land armament,
Pacihc and far eastern questions:
''One. Questions relating to China.
First, principles to be applied; Sec
ond. application; subjects: (a) Terri
torial integrity, CO. administrative in
tegrity, (c) open door-equality of COM
mercial and industrial opportunity. (d)
concessions. monopolies or preferential
economic privileges: (e) development of
railways, including plans relating to
Chinese Eastern railway; U) preferen-
tial railroad rates. (g) status Of existing
commitments
1.-TWO. Siberian (similar headings).
Three. Mandated islands (uniess
questions earlier settled).
Under the heading of status of exist
ing commitments it is expected that on
portunity will be afforded to, consider
and TO reach an understanding with re-
spect to unsettled questions involving
the nature and scope of commitments
under which claims Of rights may here
after be asserted"