The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1921-11-26
HARDING SUGGESTS
WORLD ASSOCIATION
Meet. Yearly To Discuss Troublesome
observation-disclosures Can't Finish
All Subjects.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 26.-In the
midst of developments that helped to clear
the air for all the big subjects before the
arms conference, President Harding let
it be known yesterday that he had taken
the first step towards a continuance of
international discussion which may lead
to an association of nations.
Conferences among the nations once a
year to consider whatever may menace
good understanding have been suggested
bv the President informally to some of
the foreign delegates, and their replies
are said to have encouraged a hope that
a permanent plan of consultation will
receive world approval.
Lacking all the properties of a formal
proposal, Mr.. Harding's plan is declared
to have been offered only as a personal
suggestion, without any hint as to the
details of its accomplishment. Whether
more formal approach TO the subject
will be taken before the end of the Wash
ington conference remains to be seen.
1t was indicated yesterday that, as
first step toward world wide recognition
for the conference plan, the results Of the
negotiations here might be submitted for
approval not only to the participating ma
tlons but to those not represented here,
including Germany and Russia.
So far as the suggestions of Mr.. Hard
ing have been made known, they contem-
plate meeting of nations about the coun-
Gil table once year to thresh out trouble
| some questions and devise means for the
| preservation of peace. 1t is said to be
| the hope of the President that in the end
all the similar governments will join with
the great powers in whatever discussions
, may concern them or the world situation
| generally. ..
There is. no Indication that any coven-
ant or constitution would be proposed as
the basis of the plan, or that any elabor-
| ate international machinery would be
1 IN
| meetings might be convened to consider
special subjects or merely to survey in
| ternational relationships and look for
| danger points in a general effort at good
understanding
The hope of the President for a con-
tinuation of conferences like the present
one became known at moment when the
arms delegates reached a stage of their
deliberations strongly suggesting in it.
self that further negotiations will be nee
essary to consumate the task begun here.
Representatives of nine participating ma
tons are said to have virtually decided at
their session yesterday to send an inter
national commission of jurists TO investi-
gate China's judicial system, and report
| next year TO the various foreign Offices
and discussions of other features of the
Far Eastern situation continued with a
growing indication that some sort of in
| ternational machinery would be necessary
| TO carry out the results of the confer
ence decisions.
1t also is becoming apparent that the
/ Washington conference will not be able
to make final decisions on some subjects
relating to ornaments since subjects like
the rules of warfare necessarily must BE-
given a worldwide consideration before
there can be a revision to which the pow.
ers will be willing to bind themselves. 4
continuing commission on aircraft is re.
garded as another probable outcome OF
the conference, and it may be that after
limit has been set on the submarine
power of the nations. there may be q
more permanent body created to consider
the suggestion that underwater warfare
be abolished altogether.