The New York herald., 1921-11-02
Voluntary Association OF
Nations i'm Interest of HUI
manity Proposed.
ANTITHESTS OF LEAGUE
Force of World Opinion
Through Treaties Sole
Power of Compulsion.
INITIATIVE PRESERVED
INITIATIVE PRESERVED
Limitation of Armament Oil
Percentage of National
Budget Suggested.
Special Despatch to THE New YORK HERALD,
Nesr

'Pcttut DeoPuhtt 70 lHE NEW lORk HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington, -. C., Nos. I.
At their most important session
thus far the American delegates to
the Conference on Limitation OF
Armaments reached decision to-
day on the main objective of the
United States Government.
While nothing was made public Of
ficially, 1t was learned that the idea
of voluntary association Of nations.
with an International court of jus
tice, would be proposed as the basic
principle of the relationship among
nations, through which an interna-
tional understanding m 6 h t be
reached that would make possible a
reduction Of expenditures for armies
and nayies.
The plan is the antithesis OF the
League of Nations Covenant evolved
at the Paris conference. No super
government would be created. and
force would not be the underlying
principle of the new association. II
would not have central council
with international officers, but would
rest upon regularly negotiated
treaties among the nations.
No compulsory features are to be
suggested. The decisions of the
world court, as II will be proposed.
would be carried out only as the re-
suit Of the force OF public opinion.
At the same time the American
delegates reached tentative deci-
sion on a plan for the limitation c.
ornaments based upon the prin-
ciple OF percentage reduction OF ex-
penditures for armies and navies as
compared with expenditures for
other governmental activities.
Interest OF Humanity.
What the American delegation, the
voice of President Harding. is aim.
ing at is a basis for a relationship
among the nations in a modern, prac.
tical civilization. Each country par.
ticipating In the conference will
have the interest of its own safety nj
heart. But It is realized that tn,
interest of each nation merges int.
the larger interest of humanity, al |
ii is this larger object which L Z
American delegation has in min1.
In approaching this larger object +;
has the interest OF the American n;'
tion at heart as the necessary cor
Rotary of a proper association OF
nations.
The plan which II has in mind IL
the outcome of the gospel of under
standing which President Harding
preached when he was a candidate
for President and which he has in.
sistently urged since he became
President. IL is the idea which Sec.
retary of State Hughes has used as
the basis of his preliminary ma
neuvres in salvaging the diplomatic
bankruptcy OF the United States re-
sulting from the Paris conference
and II is the exemplification OF the
international philosophy which has
prompted Elihu Root In his activities
as former Secretary of State and as
member OF the Hague Tribunal.
The differences which appeared to
exist between President Harding and
Mr.. Root during the Presidentisl
campaign have been composed and
both men are agreed on the objects
TO be obtained at the conference.
The Far Eastern Problem.
The definite detectives of the con.
ference. il is realized. will have 10
be obtained before the more far.
reaching results can be considered.
u will be necessary TO consider and
determine how the nations shall adj.
just themselves to the Far Eastern
problem.
II will be necessary to reach an
agreement on the open door policy in
the Far East and everywhere which
the United States 4, advocating. IL
will be necessary to pass judgment
upon China and determine the attl.
tude the Occidental nations shall az.
sumo to that great portion OF tho
worlds population and to the aggres
sive tendencies of Japan.
Another definite agreement which
will have to be reached will be choice
of positions Great Britain will take
whether II shall renew the Anglo.
Japanese Alliance or whether il shalt
elect to assist in reaching WORKING