New-York tribune., 1921-11-19
Parley Safe in
Hughes's Hand,
Britain's View
Lloyd George to Stay Home
and Enforce Decisions of
Conference, Unless Break
Or Deadlock Threatens
Anxious Eyes ON Congress
Delegates Mindful That ALI
Their Work Will Be Idle
if Ratification Is Denied
Bv p. w. Wilson

ny we w AAcSi
For yeays American correspondent of
"The London Daily Menus" and former
Member of Parliament.
Copyright. 1921 New York Tribun. Inc.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 1S.-The an
nouncement that the British Admiralty
has ordered the suspension of all ex-
penditure on new vessels Tor the navy
is sufficient proof il proof we're now
needed, that Great Britain goes all the
wav, and even more than al tine way,
with Secretary Hughes. The Prime
Minister has never been = man TO do
things by halves. He makes war with
will and he makes peace with will.
In this case he has struck and struck
hard at overgrown armaments And
the blow has been heard across the
Atlantic.
The best comment or the prospects
OF the conference as estimated by
Britain is the simple fact that Mr..
Lloyd George is making no attempt to
come over to the United States. Why
should he9 The conference is entirely
safe in the hands of Mr.. Hughes. Mr..
Lloyd George is therefore Of more use
at home, where he can enforce the de-
cisions OF the conference on his
Cabinet if enforcement is needed. or
course. if a hitch were to occur at
Washington and there we're danger OF
the conference breaking up or break
ing down. different case altogether
would arise. In that happily i'm
probable event. my belief is that the
Prime Minister would strain every
nerve to visit the New World which he
has long wished TO see. An adjourn
ment o. the conference during the
period Of his voyage might afford an
Invaluable breathing spell if there
were deadlock. But as matters stand
there are enough cooks in Washing
ton already to prepare the broth, and
more of them would only spoil it.
Britain Asks Quick Decisions
What Britain wants is short con-
ference. She believes that quick deci-
sions are likely to be quite as wise as
decisions long delayed. If, then, Brit
ain makes a suggestion on this point or
on that point, as she has every right
to do, it does not mean that she is
holding a pistol to anybody's head or
delivering an ultimatum. She is simply
putting her ideas into the common pot.
In the character of British diplomacy
at Washington there has been a great
change since Sir Auckland Geddes be-
came ambassador About our relations
with the United States there is much
less formality than there used to be.
1t is, | think. very possible that diplo-
mats OF the old school may yet have to
be convinced that an embassy which is
also home among other homes fulfills
the functions prescribed for an en-
bassy.
No one who compares Anglo-Ameri-
o1,4,
were when Sir Auckland Geddes irst
landed here as ambassador can have
any doubt on the point. There is
frankness and q lack of concealnlent
about these relations which is most re-
freshing to those OF US who want big
things done.
Great Britain believes in Mr.. Hughes
and trusts him absolutely. He has put
to us a pretty stiff proposition, but we
are facing his music without finching.
Americans will understand how much
there is in that sentence if for a mo-
mcnt they will look at this naval bust
ness from Britain's point of view Sup
pose that the United States chad ruled
the waves" for five hundred years and
that a British Foreign Secretary at a
conference held in London were to tell
Americans that this ship and that ship
must be scrapped. To write bluntly, l
rather think that some newspapers and
Congressman would have something
definite to say. But that-turning it
the other way around--is Just what has
happened at the Washington confer
ence. 1t is no wonder, then, if some
means of pain are heard from old Eng
land
Looking to Better World
Why Britain wants the conference to
eya nm hsxS -
simple. This conference means for US
a world worth living in. Our states
men have watched the enthusiasm that
greeted President Wilson when he went
to Paris, London and Rome. They have
seen how that outburst of popular ex-
pectation was cooled by dilatory pro-
ceedings. They have suffered from the
social unrest and strikes which arose
directly out of the resulting disillu-
sionment. Another such disappoint-
ment for our people might have serious
consequences. Millions will ask why
their hopes are again and again
aroused only to be shattered. 1t is talk
ing serious responsibility in these
days for public men to give idealism
its rein and then pull it up sharp.
Democracy is horse that can plunge
and rear under such treatment.
we have to face the fact that the
SohleIence mas reached Its second
stage. The first big shout is over. The
many people who still want armies and
navles are awaiting their chance. They
cannot Tight Mr.. Hughes IN the open
Ihey may embarrass him with their
guerrilla tactics. They will play for
time. They will try to wear out the
patience of the public and the press.
They will magnify every symptom of
dissension or difference Of opinion.
They will work up every difficulty into
a crisis. Public opinion is the only
answer to these groups.
There is one aspect of the case which
foreign delegations are watching with
particular attention. With the domes-
tic politics of the United States these
visiting delegations have nothing what
ever to do. But they cannot be un-
aware of the fact that the Treaty of
Versailles has not been ratified by the
Senate and that all proposals submit
ted TO the conference either by Mr..
Hughes or by anybody else must be
subject to approval by Congress. Will
Congress approve? This is a que stion
constantly on the lips OF the prophets.
Roughly, the points at issue are two:
First. can the United States under her
Constitution join an international au-
thorlty to supervise and enforce the
schedules Of armaments arrived at bv
the conference? Secondly, can the
United States join q similar interna-
tional authority to supervise the re-
construction of China? Or will the
sentiment nf ha &,t