The New York herald., 1921-11-18


VIII elapse before the technical ex-
perts win end their investigation TO
be used as the basis for the argu-
ments of the delegates representing
their respective countries in support
Of desirable notifications in the naval
formula advocated by this country.
THE fact that no subordinate body
has been created to consider the treat
ment of land armaments justifies the
view that, inasmuch as the matter is
of more interest to France than any
other country represented, it will be
dealt with by the conference itself in
the matter requested by NJ. BRAND,
the French Premier. who has ex-
pressed a desire TO present his case
before the full conference.
No announcement was made as to
the date of the next plenary session,
but it is quite certain that none will
be- held during the current week,
probably not before Monday.
Getting Public Viewpoint.
In the meantime the caucusing of
the delegations Of the United States,
Great Britain, France, Italy, Belgium,
Holland. Portugal, Japan and the Pc
kin Government of China has given
TO the chief actors an opportunity to
catch up with the public view of the
IN data
Official expressions from foreign
Governments, the tenor of newspaper
comments, the enthusiasm with which
the startling. businesslike proposal of
the United States has been received
among all classes of people through
out the world, is naturally most graft
flying to the officials of this Govern
ment
The universal popular opinion re-
flected in advices from every quarter
of the world during the last five days
has inspired the greatest confidence
among American officials that the
naval disarmament reforms proposed
by it meet with the fullest approval
the conference.
Not the least reassuring of outside
advices is that which came from Toxic
to-day, describing the tremendously
favorable impression made among the
Japanese people by the American sug-
gestions.
The feeling is general among both
American officials and representatives
of foreign Powers performing various
functions in connection with the con-
ference that the same simplicity which
marked the opening of the conference
will characterize the remainder of its
work which the leading participants
now hope to finish by the Christmas
holidays.
Investigation by the representatives
of some of the nations represented has
revealed the fact that the majority of
them view with favor the American
plan to limit its deliberations to the
three general subjects enumerated in
the tentative agenda suggested by the
United States-naval armaments, land
armaments and the adjustment of Far
Eastern matters.
May Ignore German Phases.
Suggestions that the conference take
up other phases of the international
situation resulting from the war with
Germany are not viewed with favor,
,,,,,ol, 20 Tho ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ,f txro or.
three of the participating nations.
which had hoped for an elaboration
of it..
The fundamental reforms outlined in
the tentative agenda are deemed to
be comprehensive enough to cover all
the essential features of international
conditions. The conference could by
unanimous vote, however, expand the
programme to take in the questions
relating to German reparations. trade
conditions and the refunding of the
debts OF foreign Governments to the
United States.
There is no question that the French,
Belgian and italian delegates would
tentlon to the liquidation of these
debts and establish conditions that
would be most agreeable to the debtors
of this country. But up to date none
of them has indicated his purpose to
introduce the subject. The representa-
tives of Great Britain have declared
they will not do so, although they
frankly admit such a move would not
be opposed by them.
There has been some discussion
among French and Italian delegates as
TO the propriety Of introducing a sub
ject so manifestly delicate. Each ap-
pears to be waiting for the other to
assume the initiative in this direction.
American officials do not expect that
either will do so for the reason that
public sentiment in this country ap-
pears TO be Overwhelmingly against
any proposals to make further conces-
sions I'm regard to the usual business
processes that govern such matters.
NJ. Viviani is understood to have APP
preached the American Government
during his visit last spring with the
suggestion that the cancellation of
the foreign debts OF France would
greatly improve economic conditions
in Europe. lie is said to have re-
,..;,,aI No eocouragot,,opf on which TO