The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-10-05
5 MORE NATIONS ARE INVITED ID THE ARMAMENT FARLEY
U. s. Does Not Anticipate Consideration of Inter-AI-
 lied Debts, High Officials <,
 of Administration Say <.
Nv Assoc,ated Pr,

Washington, October A ad- ditional nations-BC N Holland and Portugal-were W d by the United States government today to participate in the discussion of Pa cific and far eastern questions in connection with the armament con- ference. Almost colncidentally 1t was made known by high adminis- tration officials that the Unite1 States does not anticipate consid- eration of inter-allied debts at the conference.
 The formal invitations to the thpee additional nations were forwarded late in the day to the respective cap itals and were extended after cor respondence between Secrtary Hughes, acting for President Hard Ing, and the four principal powers originally invited to send represen- tatives to the conference. The i'm portant interests of each of the three nations in the far east led to the ex- tension of the invitations.
 China was invited to participate in the Pacific and far eastern discus sions when the first invitations were issued and acceptance by Belgium. Holland and Portugal, which is re- garded here as assured, will mean that nine nations will sit together when such discussions are entered into. The question of armament linn itation, however, will be discussed only by the five major powers.
 Debts Not Vital Issue
 The attitude of the administration with relation to discussion of inter allied debts was developed in connec- tion with recently published sug- gestions in London that the British would welcome consideration of loan matters at the Washington meeting. Officials here were represented as taking the view that tine conference would be limited to matters which might involve differences of a na- ture likely to lead to armed con flict. The question of inter-allied debts Is not considered by officials here in that category.
 The further statement was made that the American delegation at the forthcoming conference, lacking con gressional authority. could not agree to such consideration of the debt question even If 1t was desired that 1t should be undertaken. The ad- ministration's desire that debt fund ing legislation be enacted in advance of the conference. 1t was said. was based on practical matters, and not on anxiety that the debt question might arise to disturb harmony among the conferees.
 Invitations Are Identical
 The invitations to the three addi- ts5ntl Gstioiis were accc,npanieo bs the tentative suggestions as to the conference programme insofar as 1t relates to Pacific and far eastern questions, and were identical in lam guage That sent to Belgium reads as follows:
 The invitation of the President of the United States to the government of France, Great Britain, Italy and Japan to send representatives to a conference to be held in the city or Washington on November 4, 1891, on the subject of limitation of arma- ments, in connection with which Pa ci1c and far eastern questions will also be discussed, has been gracious ly accepted. The government of China has also been pleased to ac-
 
 ticipate in the discussion of Pacific and far eastern questions.
 Tt is the earnest wish of this government that with the facilities afforded by conference it may be possible to find a solution of Pacific and and far eastern problems. by a practical effort to reach such com mon understanding with respect to matters which have been and are of international concern as may serve to promote enduring friendship.
 Tn view of the interest of Bel gium in the far east. the President desires to invite your excellency' 8 government to participate in the dis cussion of Pacific and far eastern questions at the conference, and have the honor to inclose herewith tentative suggestions as the agenda of the conference relating to Pa cifc and far eastern questions, pro posed by the government of the United States"