The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1921-07-13
HERE'S MORE ABOUT
DISARMAMENT
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ion regarding tho conference, and re.
ports that tho American government
had intended TO withhold the invita-
ton for a short time. but was forced
TO expedite II because of diplomatic
maneuvers In the foreign office.
president Harding's invitation r.
a great call from a great man 10 the
chief powers OF the world TO Join
America In finding means 20 safe
guard peace In tho world" he said.
1T should be accepted everywhere
In the most grateful and helpful
spirit.
AS 10 the story OF maneuvrrr In
the British foreign office. am afraid
II IL substantially true. Politicians
who now manage foreign affairs
seem to have thought the presidents
original suggestion a fine opening
for boistering up their shaiy coaii;
ton cabinet. SO, after the prime
minister had said In hts first speech
to the dominion premiers now IN
London that Britain would gladly
discuss any proposal for disarma,
ment that America might make.
somebody seems 20 have got busy
and tried to jump the presidents
claim
NOT FIT To HANDLE
DELICATE QUESTION
Il do not know who suggested 70
Lord curzon last week that he
should hold conversations with the
kp,arfean ana Ia .xunau. m...ksa.-.... -.
and the Chinese minister. nor who
prompted Lloyd George TO say. last
Thursday. I'm commons, that ho must
await replies from America, Japan
and China before saying anything on
the Anglo-Japaneae alliance. HUT
do know that whoever was rcsponsi.
BILE for that action Is not fit 70 han.
die a delicate and dangerous matter
that may involve the peace OF the Pa.
cific.
My Information from the United
States makes me think these uaneu,
vers caused some little establishment
at Washington. I am not surprised
at It.
TO make things worse. somebody
seems to have informed the British
government that Mr.. Harding and
Mr.. Hughes would welcome British
Initiative In issuing invitations 10
Pacific conference. Whoever did I,
cannot have had the faintcst coneep.
ton OF the true position.
Britain to some extent Is disqualI.
fled for such an initiative simply be
cause she II nm ally OF Japan.s and
any independent action she might
take would necessarily cause suspi-
cion among the other powers.
Now. tho one thing 10 be avoided
In connection with these conferences
Ii suspicion. There must be straight.
honest dealing. free from any kind
Of maneuyering.
SAYS LLOYD GEORGE
NOT GENEROUS
That Is why regret Mr.. Lloyd
Georges statement on President
Harding's proposals In commons
Monday was not more generous. II
seemed to me n little grudgfng and
inspired by wish to get some OF tho
credit for the present conference OF
British imperial statesmen, OF which
he Is chairman.
We are proud Of our dominion's
statesmen. and they. viii get every
kind Of credit II they can help turn
the Pacific ocean into q really peace
full highway for tho nations. That
IL also why / regret attempts made
yesterday In government organs to
put forward Mr.. Lloyd George as a
British delegate to the Washington
conferences. Mr.. Lloyd George In ad.
mired In England for his magnetic
qualities. but he Is not admired as a
peace negotiator.
The books of Mr.. Keynes and Mr..
Lansing have thrown too much light
on the kind of ability he displays In
that capacity. These books have
been very widely read In the United
States. and do not think that a man
with such a reputation. against
whom everybody would be instinc-
lively on their guard. Is tho right
man 10 represent Britain on such a
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