The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-08-18
SENATOR LODGE DECLARES FOR GENERAL
DISARMAMENT" BEFORE AMERICA MAKES !.
FURTHER REDUCTIONS IN ARMY AND NAVY
Senate Shows Sentiment For
Publicity AT the Coming
Conference - Representa-
tive Alice Robertson AS
sailed By League Of Wo-
men Voters.

Washington, Aug. 1.-THE question
of omen or secret sessions at the dis
armament conference started senate
debate today, in which Democrats crit
icized some OF the steps taken oy the
administration. and Chairman Lodge OIL
the foreign relations committee VINO
has been selected as one OF the Amerl-
can delegates. gave his colleagues some
glimpses Of the attitude he intends TO
adopt in the conference.
The outburst was short-lVed ana
failed to develope any general express
sion Of senate opinion on the subject:
Further debate on the question was
assured however, by presentation for
future consideration OF a measure.
which would Instruct the American del
egatcs 10 insist that the conference sit
with open doors.
Senator Lodges Views
Senator Lodge did not express his
views In regard TO publicity, hut ne
. did assert that in tho negotiations over
d ga rrnam itself he would hold to the
principle that the only solution was a
! general disarmament He declared no
one would work more earnestly for dis
armament than he. but that he would
hold TO an unshaken conviction that to
insure success there must be general
reductions" all along the line.
Later in the day. the foreign rela-
| tions chairman. speaking on good
roads bill, asserted It was false econ
| omy to have money for roads by taking s
Il away from the army and the navy.
whose reduction, he asserted had been
carried too far already" under existing
conditions. without specific mention of
| the disa rTnament propoAals he rea firm
! ed his belief that this country could not
now make further curtailments In Its
! military and naval Establishments with
| out menaeing national security.
No Promise Given
While the senate debate was In pro-
gress. President Harding listened 10 the
plea Of q group OF women political lead
| ers that he appoint r woman on the
American delegation 10 the conference.
, and told them he was confident way
would be found to utilize woman's infu-
ence apd intuitions 10 aid in the success
| Of the negotla tions. The presidents
| words were variously interpreted by
members Of the group but II was said
| he refrained from a specific statement
! whether . woman would sit In the con-
! ference. -,
Alice 1obsrtso1 AssaIlsd
Those who took the petition TO tne
white house were acting for the Nation
! al League OF Women Voters. whose pres
!dcnt. Miss Maude Wood Park, headed
, the group. and presented a resolution on
the subject adopted at a recent conven-
tion of the league. Before their inter
view with Nr. Harding. the women dis
tributed n series Of statements. assafl-
ing Representative Alice Robertson. OF
Oklah homa. for her dectar aration that II
would be difficult TO find a woman quail
fled 10 act as a delegate: In all Of the
, statements, It was asserted that Miss
Robertson could in no sense be regarded
, as a competent spokesman Of American
~omanhood-
No names were suggested to the pres
ident BY his callers