Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-10-18
PUBLIC OPINION LED
To LLOYD GEORGES
VISIT To AMERICA
BY DAVID LAWRENCE
(Leased Wire Service to The Journal.)
(CoDUriohf 1921 \

WASHINGTON. Oct. 15.-Prime
Minister Lloyd George has changed
his mind and will come to the arma-
ment conference.
Behind that terse announcement
from London lies an interesting story
which is just coming to the surface.
1t will be recalled that cablegrans
from Europe indicated a few weeks
ago that the British prime minister
felt he would be too busy to come to
America. The American ambassador
at London heard the same and re-
ported it to the Washington confer
ence. The chagrin and disappoint-
ment of President Harding over that
piece Of news was not concealed. DID
the British prime minister realize
what was going to happen at the
washington conference? Did he know
that America was hoping for practt-
cal progress and that very little
speed coull be made II a delegation
had to cable home every few hours
for instructions?
Whether anything was said infor-
mally to the British government
about it cannot, of course, be dis
closed, but it was not long before the
British learned Of the effect which
had been produced by the announce
ment that Lloyd George was coming.
A president Of the United States had
broken q precedent to visit Europe in
the interest of more expdittous nego-
tiation, and it was felt that Brit
ish prime minister might return the
courtesy. From the standpoint OF
friendly relations nothing could be
more helpful than personal contact
between the head Of the British gov
eminent and our own executives.
This viewpoint was convincing, and
the British prime minister Is COM
ing at last.
Ills Stay Uncertain
Just how long Mr.. Lloyd George will
stay Is uncertain, but within the last
fortnight enough has developed in
the inside Of the whole business to
show the British prime minister that
if he had any idea that the Washing
ton conference was to be an abstract
affair, narrowed down merely to Far
Eastern questions and naval arma-
ment. he is grossly mistaken. 1t
now develops that collateral issues
are expected to be taken UP which
may eventually transcend in tmpor-
lance the original objects Of the con-
ference. This is not saying that the
Far Eastern problems or armament
will not be given first consideration,
for the prime effort will be to reach
an agreement.
But it does mean that the question
Of land armament which has SO much
to do with the enormous expenditures
0P
France. will bring forcibly to Amer
ica's attention the necessity for find
ing a way to relieve France.
Premier BRAND has realized the ex-
tent to which the Washington con-
ference may go in solving the prob
lens closest to the heart of the
French people and he has unhesitat-
ingly announced his intention Of COM
ing here. How shall France be per-
suaded to disarm She Is maintain
ing her army largely because she be-
leves it will be the only way to col
United States has a large debt, too,
and payments to her are In reality
dependent upon the way the Germans
pay their bills. Officially there has
never been any admission here that
the war debts of the United States
depend upon the payment by Ger
many Of her obligations but the fact
and more factor in drawing the
United States into cooperation with
the powers Of Europe.
Financial Cooperation
America may not have accepted the
formula of international cooperation
laid by the League Of Nations, but
President Harding's formula calls no
less for close working arrangements
with the European powers In the
~ ie1f v0 H-o otnY 80
b'lity. Before the Washington con-
ference Is over the problem Of the
German debt may be discussed in
formally here. Nothing would please
Great Britain and France more than
to have America come back actively
and offer her advice and Judgment in
reaching an economic equilibrium
again. International exchange de-
ponds upon it. The reopening OF
Americas expert trade rests upon It.
Unemployment In the United States
has a direct bearing upon 1t. Idealism
alone Is not the driving force here
but a growing appreciation CT the
fact that the French army Is main
tanned and Americas iebts are I'M
paid simply because no way has been
found to guarantee the payment of
the German debt and to prevent Ger
| man aggression. Politica: remedies
| we're rejected by President Harding
when he refused to accept the cove
nant of the league. Financial RENE
dies are now being discussed.
America, it is suggested. might
eventually join in general refund
ing plan whereby reparation bonds
might really bear the Endorsement of
all the powers. That will not come
| indeed until the German indemnity
| is reduced to a size that the asso
| ciated powers think it possible for
Germany to pay When that sum is
| agreed upon, the 'eparation bonds
will have the backing Of the powers
they will be part Of general check
| ing up on World war 1ebts. That's
why President Harding Is pressing
our congress t. pass the Penrose bill.
giving the executive branch Of the
government power to enter into nego-
tiations about the debt with foreigr
powers. A special commission will
be created to act with the secretary
o. the treasury. The Washington
| conference on armament and Far
Eastern questions is taking On more
and more Importance avery day ur-
Ger the active leadership Of Presi-
dent Harding and Secretary Hughes
| who are slowly but surely. winning
the confidence of the great powers
| that much can be accomplished here
| fo.. the pood oP tha whole world