The New York herald., 1921-12-25

Senator Borah to initiate the move
ment for the limitation of ornaments,
the value of which President Harding
and Secretary Hughes were not slow
TO perceive.
During the executive discussion OF
the Borah resolution and preliminary
consideration of the arrangements for
the international conference now pro-
crossing the present and potential
needs of France figured conspicuously
American officials expressed the full
est confidence that the representatives
OF the great European republic would
align themselves squarely in support
of the program proposed by the United
States and adopted by the conference.
While they do not admit disappoint-
ment and are generally inclined to at
tribute the attitude adopted by France
to the lurking fear of Germany always
manifest In conference discussions
among the French delegates, they do
reflect regret that the most discordant
note in conference undertakings has
been contributed by French spokes-
men.
The chief French problem was con-
sidered by American officials to be the
limitation of land armaments and
even then 1t was hoped a way might
be found to justify curtailment of the
largest military force in the world
without exposing the people Of France
to possible but improbable German ag-
gressions.
During early discussions among
American officials the thought fire.
quently was expressed that the saliva
ton of France in this respect was
contingent on the policy of Germany.
There was a pronounced tendency
among American and British officials
to move in the most direct way to
determine, neutralize and safeguard
against any trouble for France Of
German making.
German Invita- tiOn Considered.
1t has developed in conference dis
cussions that President Harding and
leading officials Of the American Gov
ernment debated advisability of invit-
ing Germany to send delegates to the
present international gathering. The
project was abandoned for the ex-
cellent reason that terms Of the Ver-
sailles treaty compelled the limitation
of the German war machine to neg
hgible and impotent proportions.
Therefore Germany was not con-
sidered eligible for representation in
the international conference called by
President Harding. This fact caused
genuine regret because of the convic-
ton among American officials that the
m a nf httt ~ 10 nd
armament as well more easily could
be accomplished il Germany were
made a party to all treaties and agree
ments that might be negotiated at
Washington.
Since the departure of Premier
BRAND following his mastery appeal
for special privileges in the matter
of land armaments many interesting
facts have come tn light. One of the
most important is that influential Of
ficials of this Government discussed
the matter with the French Premier
While no definite announcement has
been made regarding these discussions
there is every reason to believe NJ
BRAND encouraged the opinion formed
by representatives of the United States
that the people of France greatly de-
sired an understanding with Germany
that would permit them to cut off a
very large percentage of Frances ex-
cessive and staggeringly costly mill
tary machine.
According to information that is
completely reliable NJ. BRAND became
a very enthusiastic advocate of the
idea proposed by American officials.
Substantially, this was that Germany
should be tied up to the obligations
assumed by the other nations in the
conference and pledge herself to make
a sincere attempt to comply with the
terms of the reparations sanctions
and respect the principal territorial
and economic rights Of the French
people.
BRAND Chang Views.
30 thoroughly convinced were the
American officials that the representa-
tives in the conference would cooperate
with them in paving the way for
satisfactory understanding with Ger
many regarding French interests that
they privately predicted a surprise in
conference developments that would
cause almost as great sensation as
PAchhoAsoIAOh VI lie
program by Secretary Hughes.
The reason this sensation was not
provided was because NJ, BRAND is
asserted to have changed his mind
within twenty-four hours after his
seemingly enthusiastic support of the
American idea. His statements in the
informal discussions are declared, upon
capable authority, to have been at
complete variance with the eloquent
appeal he made to the conference three
days before he left Wa ,hington to re-
turn to Paris.
The declarations of the French Pre-
mier in the impressive speech deliv-
cred by him in describing the fears
or France caused the greatest surprise
and CONSERVATION among some Of the
leading officaAis Of the American Gov
ernment because It indicated a com
plete reversal of opinion in an aston
ishingly short time.
IL is significant that the proposal
TO limit land as well as sea ornaments
never has been removed from the
agenda prepared by the American Gov
ernment. 1t was merely set aside.
While there has been no active dis
cussion OF the advisability of reviving
itGas legitimate subject for consid-
Grafton by the conference, IL Is quite
within tbe yneoihifgt;o. .t.o. 4. 49,.