The New York herald., 1921-11-26
FORECAST is GIVEN
American Officials Con
fident Conference WAL
Remove Obstacles
to Peace.
TO ADJUST RIVALRIES
Decisions Reached Probably
Will Not Take Form Of
Treaties.
MADISON SET PRECEDENT
International Court and Par
leys With All Nations En-
visaged in Future.
MADISON SET PRECEDENT
by LOUIS sEIBoLD.

by LOUIS SEIBOLD.
Special Despctch 10 THE NEW YORK HnArs-
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington. ID. G., Nov. IS.
Officials fully competent to reflect
the opinions of the Administration
regarding the progress of interna-
tional events in Washington to-day
gave me q most comprehensive view
Of the trend of thought and activities
Of the Administrations representa-
tives who are striving 10 create a
better understanding In world affairs.
The most important revelation in
this connection was the expression
OF hope that successful conclusion
Of the pending conference may result
in annual gathering of nations for
the discussion and adjustment OF
world problems, to which shall be IN
vited not only Germany but such OF
the smaller nations as may require
the advice and assistance Of the more
influential Powers.
Officials OF this Government are
confident that the deliberations OF
the conference will effectively sweep
aside some obstacles to permanent
peace and prosperity.
| Pessimistic predictions, intriguing
OF representatives of foreign nations
still adhering to obsolete forms o.
diplomacy, the criticisms OF foreign
and domestic carpers, while regarded
as natural and interesting conse-
quences OF the situation, have not de-
stroyed the Administrations conf
dence of success in the slightest de-
gree.
VIII Not Join in Disputes.
The Administrations spokesmen
| further expressed the belief that ma
| .lonal rivalries, unfriendly expressions
and competitions for advantages OF
material, diplomatic. economic and
military character will not finally in
terfere with the programme for thaI
! correction Of existing evils which IS
demanded by public opinion through
out the world. Representatives Of tho
Government went even further than
this in making It entirely clear tina.
| the representatives OF the United
States in the international conference
will not become party TO any dispute
between other countries.
Leading officials of the Government
In discussing the probable form of the
agreements reached by the confer
ence say they believe that these will
be informal IN character and not re-
duced 10 tho terms of international
treaties. This view, OF course, may
be changed. The present policy
favored by the officials of this country
IS predicated on the sincere conviction
! that the United States "is dealing with
reputable nations whose word is as
acceptable as bonds guaranteed by the
, participating Governments them
! selves"
| Commenting on speculation as 70
/ the permanent results of any agree
ments reached at the Washington
conference. spokesmen for the Admin
! istration admitted the probability OF
the establishment of an international
court OF justice, which President Har-
| ding has indorsed on moro than one
/ occasion.
Keeping within the Law.
Law authorities OF the Government
! pointed out tonight the possible meth
DDS OF reaching formal agreement
I with other nations without incurrinp
the risk OF violating the letter or spIris
OF constitutional inhlbi,ions. Thev
cited an agreement negotiated through
tho exchange OF notes by the United
! States with foreign Powers regarding
shipping on the great lakes which
was signed by President Madison in
1917. ratified by the Senate the sama
year and proclaimed in the following
year
! This precedent may be followed IN
the treatment OF the present situation.
although President Harding and tho
American delegates will not dennitelv
say SO. In any event II Is clearly tho
purpose OF tho executive branch o.
the Government to confer with tho
Senate regarding the form that agree
ments may take.
Contrasted with pessimistic predic-
tions by few participants OF tho con
ference and most OF the unofficial OBJ
servers was the impressive progress
made to-day toward solution af az
hculties in the Far East. The Par
East committee of the conference be
! gan the task or ailocating to sub
ordinate bodies specific reforms X
tended to rehabilitato China as y