Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1921-11-09
Limitation of Arms Lihel,. b
First Subject.

KhSI SoSJSSss
Washington, Nov. 3.-Impertant
developments were Forthcoming here
today which may intimately affect
the results of the conference on lin1-
itation of ornaments.
The first of these were the strong
official indications that the primary
object of the conference, limitation
of ornaments, will be taken up ahead
of consideration of far eastern ques-
tions.
The much discussed point as to
publicity of the proceedings of the
conference, once the preliminary
formalities are all over, also was
brought to the front. In this connec-
ton it was stated by high state de-
partment authority that q "surpris-
ing" amount of publicity will be forth
coming from several cources. The
most important of these sources, and
the one in which the public has the
deepest personal interest, is that OF
open sessions as frequently as pos
sible.
Open Sessions When Possible.
Previous indications have been
that the conference got fairly under
way nearly all the sessions would be
held behind closed doors, and the IN
formation concerning such sessions
was to be carefully ,sifted before il;
reached the press. A modification OF
this plan is involved in the decision
to allow direct reports of the confer
ence whenever it is feasible.
Officials of the main American del
egation are said to feel the necessity
of insuring to the world reliable ac-
count of each days sessions and the
progress made therein, and that there
could be no more direct way of guar
anteeing this than by opening certain
sessions to the press. This, it is felt,
will have the important effect of in
suring against unnecessary secrecy
and winning the confidence OF the
public of all the nations represented.
Will Issue Statements.
In addition, it was officially stated
TODAY. that whenever the sessions are
closed, authoritative statements Will
be issued containing as much infor-
nation as it is possible to give. Fur
thermore, Secretary Hughes in all
probability will outline personally to
the press the progress of the confer
ence each day.
These decisions are regarded OF ut
most Importance as indicating gen
uine intention on the part OF the
American officials to avoid the Sc
crecy and distrust that so nearly
made the Versailles conference dis
astrous to this country.
eve do not intend that this con-
ference shall be shrouded in secrecy
and conjecture" it was stated. "The
people are entitled to and shall have
as much publicity regarding the ac-
tual progress of the conferences we
can get out without actually imped-
ing the result we all hope for"
Limitation May Come First.
These encouraging indications OF
the day were supplemented by infor-
nation from official sources that the
conference at the outset may get
right down to business and "take the
bull by the horns" by discussing arms
limitation first.
The general impression, however, IS
that this primary object of the con-
ference cannot be settled until it's as
sociated problem, that of far eastern
questions, has been adjusted. As one
official expressed it. '"fhere prob
ably will not be any agreement on re-
duction of armament while the clouds
hang over the Pacific"
Since the arrival here of the main
Japanese delegation yesterday there
is every evidence of possible re-
versal of the agenda, and the ques-
tion of arms limitation may come
first. This does not mean an actual
settlement of this most important
subject before taking the maze of far
eastern questions, but only that it
will be discussed fist.