Arizona republican., 1921-10-13
TALK POLICIES, PLANS IF ]. 6.
 DELE GATES ID ARMS MEE ET|NG
American Members Hold First Session - Effect Permanent Organiza- tion; To Recommend Open Door
IRepublIcan A. p. Leased Wire1


 WASHINGTON, Oct 12-The American delegation to the armament conference held it's first meeting to- day, effected permanent organiza- tion, made a general survey of the data gathered for it's guidance and begun discussion of the questions of policy that are to characterize the position of this government in the coming negotiations.
 One of the first specific subjects to be considered was the problem of open or closed sessions for the arma ment conference and discussion is said to have revealed considerable sentiment for opening the doors when ever the entire body of delegates meet to register important decisions
 Other and broader questions of policy also were given detailed ex- animation during the three and q half hour meeting of the delegation and tonight the delegates continued their discussions and heard the views of President Harding at a white house dinner. It was indicated an other consultation was probable early next week.
 Will Recommend Open Sessions
 None of those at the meeting would reveal details of the deliberations regarding publicity for the confer ence session.. but the impression was given that this government might lay before the delegates after they assemble s1e-e on November II, a proposal that all full sessions of the conference be open to the press. The recommendation, it was said, would not apply to tEe meetings of the in- dividuaI national delegations, com mittees or other subordinate bodies where the real decisions Of the ne- gotiations may be made, but would give publicity to such gatherings as that which will mark the opening of the conference and to the sessions where fortna- votes on pending ques- tions are taken.
 The question, however, is one which the conferen nee itself must decide and it is expected the American dele gation will take every precaution not to appear to urge it's opinions on the representatives of other powers. It is pointed out that the plan for open sessions for the full conference is in accord with a resolution by Senator Harrison. Democrat of Mississippi now pending m the senate.
 Today's meeting of the delegates
 
 Hughes, head of the delegation, whose colleagues, Elihu Root and Senators Lodge and Underwood for mally delegated him to act IS spokes- man in making public such details as seemed practicable.
 Afterward MT. Hughes announced the selection of Basil Miles, a former chief of the department's Russian di- vision, as secretary of the delegation. and made it known the meeting was taken up largely with a review of the data collected by government agen- cies for the American representa- lives.
 Most of this data has been put into the form of monographs on diplo- matic, military and naval subjects likely to come before the conference. Similar exhaustive compilations on other subjects now are in process of preparation and will be supplied as the delegates work progresses. In each case the historical background of the subject is included in the ex- position and every military and naval topic discussed is presented in the light of the attending economic and political situation.
 Plans Nearing Completion
 Full information also was supplied the delegates regarding the physical
 
 a memorandum on-that subject being submitted for Under Secretary Fletcher. who is in charge of physical plans The proposal to use the Pan American building for the conference sessions was given endorsement and the delegation made suggestions re- garding the allotment of space for deIegations and committees there and in a wing of the navy department building adjacent. Secretary Hughes formally communicated receipt of q tender of services for research by the Carnegie endowment and announced that the new conference division of the state department, created to deal specifically with problems connected with the negotiations. was ready for utilization.
 The general principles on which President Harding desires the nego- tiations conducted are understood to have been communicated also by Sec retary Hughes, although a concrete discussion of that subject was de- Iayed until the meeting tonight with the president himself. It is under stood that henceforth the chief eX- ecutive intends to communicate ire quentIy with the delegates, who are acting IS his agents in pressing the policies of this government but does not plan to inject himself actively into the exchanges with the other powers He is said to feel that he can be of greater service by keeping in a position where he may become arbiter in any threatened disa gree ment.
 TO SIGN PROTOCOL
 gIV