Evening star., 1921-11-27
HARDING PROPOSAL
ST|RS LEAGUE HOPE
Most Ardent Advocates Real
ize U. S. Is Needed to
Make It Effective.
BY WILBUR FORREST.

By Gable to The Star and New York Tribune.
Copyright. 1921.
PARIS, November 26.-President
Harding's proposal for an annual
conference of the powers now repre-
scented at the Washington confer
ence, which, if adopted. would appear
to be a death blow to the league of
nations, was received with totally
different interpretations in league
circles, both in Paris and Geneva
today.
The autumn assembly of the league
made clear to the most ardent OF
the league advocates that there must
be collaboration of some kind with
the United States if the society ever
becomes q worldwide organization
capable of handling such vital Ques-
tions as the limitation and the con-
troll of armament, economic block
nations in which the abstention of
one great power is fatal. both to the
progress and the interest of other
large nations.
Pledge Is Recalled.
Leaguers today recalled Mr.. Hard
ing's pledge not to join the league
as present constituted, together with
sembly to revamp the society and
make American membership possible.
The Harding move is therefore not
interpreted as meaning anything but
a way and means of the United states
taking a place in international af-
league, but making coalition OF the
new organization and the present Or
ganization eventually possible.
1t was pointed out today that the
new organization formed in WASH
ington must include the nations al
ready virtually in a position to rule
the league through their membership
in the powerful league council, and
such an organization in effect Will
really become in time the council OF
membership of the United States.
The leaguers are building their
hopes likewise on the logical as
sumption that there is no question
but that Mr.. Harding has in mind
the building up of a society when when
with the existing society or an at
tempt to urge the leading members
like Great Britain, France, Italy and
Japan entirely to abandon the ex-
pensive organisation built up in
Europe the past three years.
Some Liaison Assumed.
Telephonic conversation with Ge-
nova this afternoon failed to elicit
whether the league secretariat is cog
nizant that some members of the
leaeue council are urging the Harding
plan, but with the optimism expressed
it might even be assumed that there
Is some liaison between Geneva and
Washington.
However, 1t is no secret in league
circles that efforts are being made to
find q means for Americas collabora-
tion in world affairs without the ac-
tual slaughter Of the European So
oiety. whose technical organization,
Including the world court at The
HaRue, is invaluable for international
cooperation if for nothing else as
machinery for a new world.
Found No Pessimisn.
Tho Star and Tribune correspondent
in his conversations found no pes
simism with reference to Mr.. Har-
dine's plan; on the contrary, there
was a certain amount of sober en-
thusiasm at the possibility in effect
of seeing the United States soon,
among the members Of the present
leaKue's council. especially since Bal
four and viviani. now in Washington.
members of this council, are believed
TO be among the hackers OF Mr.. Har-
dine's plan to perpetuate the WASH
fnRfon conference.
IL is immaterial to many leaguers
whether the league council or even
the general assembly meets in Wash
ineton, Paris, London or Geneva