The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-09-21
London Officials Do Not Like
Program Proposed.
See Endless Controversy That
VIII Get Nowhere.
ALL LIKE AGENDA SAYS HUGHES
Secretary of State Says No Ma
tiOn Has Protested.
Gives Out List of Questions To
Be Considered.

London, Sept. 21.-British Official
dom has adopted an attitude of utmost
pessimism regarding the success of the
Washington conference on limitation
of armaments and Far Eastern af-
fairs. This was revealed today in Of
ficial quarters.
Marquis Curzon, secretary of state
for foreign affairs. returned unex-
pectedly today from his holiday.
Almost simultaneously the official
agenda of the Washington conference
was published here.
The Washington agenda, 1t was de-
clared, lacks practical suggestions.
Great Britain had been led to expect
that Pacific problems would be dis
cussed first and limitation of arma-
ments second.
The agenda now leads British Off
cials to believe that land disarmament
heads the list and fears this will lead
to involved detailed discussions be-
( tween France, Italy and Japan which
would become interminable.
Need Basis First.
British officials believe that limita-
ton of land armaments cannot be
solved without a preliminary confer
( ence to arrange a basis In this same
connection, it was pointed out that
France takes the position she will not
: limit her land armaments unless given
the security of a tripartite agreement
/ by which Great Britain and America
would come to her aid if attacked.
/ Formal announcement was made
! that Great Britain has not yet ap-
pointed her delegates. This statement
was called forth by a report that
Great Britain might select Sir Auck-
land Geddes, British ambassador to
Washington. as her chief representa-
tive, assisted only by technical experts.
would relegate the conference to the
Importance Of the allied council of
I ambassadors III Paris.
Hughes Utters Denial.
| Washington, Sept 21.-Not one dis
senting voice has been raised by the
powers invited to attend the forth
coming November armament confer
ence against the agenda which the
/ United States has proposed be followed,
1t was officially announced at the state
department.
On the contrary, it was stated the
subjects proposed by the United States
have met with unanimous approval on
the part of the powers addressed. so
far as this government has been Off
cially advised.
Secretary of State Hughes issued
the following statement: "Out of
courtesy to the invited governments.
the state department did not give out
/ the tentative suggestions as to ths,
agenda for the conference on limita-
ton of armament.
Gives Corrected List.
"Inasmuch as the published state
ment of the tentative suggestions of
the agenda for the conference on the
/ Limitation of armament is inaccurate.
in some particulars, a corrected state
ment is appended"
Limitation of Armament.
1. Limitation of naval armament, under
which shall be discussed:
T., (a) Basis of limitation.
! Oh Extent.
I (c) Fulfillment.
I ?. Rules for control Of new agencies
Pacific and Far East.
! l. Questions relating to China.
First, principles to be applied.
Second, application.
4 Subjects.
! (a) Territorial integrity.
4 (b) Administrative integrity
(c) Open door-equality Of commercial
and industrial opportunity.
Id Concessions. monopolies, preferen-
(e) Development Of railways. including
plans relating to Chinese Eastern Railway.
~ Preferential railroad rates.
(gD Status Of existing commitments.
| 2 Siberia
(Similar headings)
3. Mandated islands.
Unless questions earlier settled)
Under the heading of Status OF
Existing Commitments It Is expected
that opportunity will be afforded to
consider and reach an understanding
with respect to unsettled questions
involving the nature and score of
commitment under which claims of
rights may hereafter be asserted"