Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-12-28
NO ASSOCIATION
TO GROW OUT Of
ARMS CONFERENCE
Probability so Prominent at the
Outset Is Not Assur-
ing Now.
MUCH OPPOSITION
IS CERTAIN TO COME
Senator Borah Voices Its Tone
and Character in Vigorous
Words.
THE FUTURE is UNCERTAIN
By Charles Browcr Farmer.

Special Dispatch 60 Every Evening
Washington, Dec. 2s-several weeks
ago I stated in one OF my articles
that 1fardings proposed association
Of nations might bc handed to the
world on silver platter as 2 result
OF the arms conference. ! indicated
the formation Of committees TO study
certain international questions. n
showed how those committees would
have to report at a later day, say at
tho end OF a twelvemonth, and that
the second meeting might be called
q gathering Of the association Of ma
tions II the present conference dele
gates acceded TO President Hsrding's
desires.
I am afraid, now that formal as
sociation will not evolve from this
conference. Tho reason is that the
growing opposition to the Treaty 81
Washington in its present form has
placed tho conference on delicate
ground Likewise tho outspoken op-
position Of Senator Borah. who asked
! the question. "are wo to give Europe
1 now league every ninety days?"
causes certain delegates to believe
/ that an association formed at this
time would meet with embarrassing
opposition from n certain portion Of
( tho American public. Tho association
would be merely to please Mr.. Hard
ing, anyhow. The ENJOYS know that
there viii be trouble enough hero
ratifying tho Treaty without worry
ing over new international bodies
But if tho association does not spring
into full being. the work that that
organization would perform viii be
done just an I pointeh out in my pre-
vious article on this subject--by COM
mittees named 70 study certain inter-
national matters and report at n later
date. believe that we are going 10
have an association in everything but
the name. and whats in a name 20
long as peace is achieved? President
Harding would be the last man 10
hagg over a mere title.
Provision already has been made
for a commission to study extra-terri-
toriality in China. The gentlemen who
will delve into this matter cannot be
expected TO make their reports before
many months have passed. And other
commissions will be formed before the
Conference adjourns. These commits
sions may report to their re-
Ispectiye governments. but the chances
are that they Will gather together al
an agreed Washington in all
likeHhood-and make their reports. II
such gathering is not an association
minus the name. then what is it?
Two matters on the agenda which
are untouched call for more exten.
sive study than the limited time aheac
OF the delegates permits. These are tn,
formation Of an international code o.
rules OF warfare. and the control O.
new agencies Of warfare-subiect.
closely allied. yet different in NAH,
respects. Under the last named head
ing You find poison gases and air
craft. Then there is the matter Of Lane
armament. which has not been dwell
upon since Premier BRAND departe,
for France after having declared
hands off, policy regarding tn,
French army.
No matter what the result OF tn,
Conference may be on capital ships
submarines, naval holiday. and Fa
Eastern matters, there is little lilSeli
hood Of war rules, gases, aircraft, an,
land armament occupying the time o
the delegates. When the major aues
tions regarding the sea and the Fa
East are settled these delegates ar
going home. But It would be surpris
) ms il they did not appoint commits
sious 10 investigate those matter
which have been neglected. Tho sug
gestion was even made Yesterday tina
= the submarine problem might be he'll
over TO another conference. That idea
! however, was vigorously combatted b
r the Italians, who want the status O
underwater craft settled before ad
icurnment.
As this submarine question become
|. more difficult of settlement the temp
tation TO appoint bodies of men I
study the other items becomes great
5 er. 1t is felt here that the conferenc
L must not be dragged out TO a grea
extent. It is feared in some quarter
that the desire Tor bargaining, ever
s present in the hosoms OF some dplo
Conunued on page ..