Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1921-07-21
Harding's Plan for Armament
Reduction Conference Is
Well Received.
INVITED NATIONS ACCEPT
Pacific and Far East Problems Also
Will Be Dscussed-lrish Peace
Meetings Begin - President
Asks Senate to Defer Sol
dier Bonus Bill.
BY EDWARD w, PICkARD.

The United States last week resumed
It's leadership Of international affairs,
and President Harding's world policy
unfolded in way that leads his warm
supporters TO believe his plans for an
association of nations to preserve the
peace of the world are on the eve of
fulfillment. This comes about through
the Presidents invitation to Great
Britain, France, Italy and Japan to
send representatives to a disarma-
ment reduction conference in Wash
ington, and his suggestion that the
meeting, if held, also undertake set
tlement of the Pacific and Far Eastern
problems, China being asked to par
ticipate in that part of the confer
ence.
OF course, the invitation was infor-
NAL In nature, but the nations named
have received it with acclaim, and all
have signifed their willingness to ac-
cept the formal invitation when it is
issued, so it may be considered GER
tain that the conference will be
held, probably in the coming autumn
or possibly early next year. All the
world is evincing intense interest in
the plan, and certain Of the lesser pow
ers are eager to take part in the great
conference. That the discussion will
not be limited to the subjects men
toned is almost beyond doubt, and
there is reason to believe that the as
sociation of nations with which Pres
tdent Harding hopes to supplant the
League of Nations will be born at
the Washington conference.
Not only did the President forestall
the action of congress, which was
passing finally on the naval bill con-
tanning the Borah amendment asking
the President to negotiate a naval hol-
iday with Great Britain and Japan;
he also went further than Borah and
his followers desired and broadened
the proposition to include land arm
uments. 1t was feared by many that
Italy, and especially France, would
refuse to reduce their military
strength. France feels that she must
be guaranteed against another attack
by Germany, and Italy's main
strength Is her army. Borah and
others thought the inclusion of land
armaments might defeat the whole
plan, but the administration thinks
their fears are groundless and that an
agreement for naval reduction may be
reached If the question of reducing
armies is found embarrassing. Indeed.
the governments Of France and Italy
were as prompt as that of Great Britain
10 accept Mr.. Harding's invitation.
China's approval of the plan came
next, and Japan, after carefully CON
sidering the Far Eastern phase of the
matter, instructed its embassy at
Washington to accept, so far as
armament reduction is concerned.
Before President Harding issued the
informal invitations, the leading states
men Of Great Britain were consulted
DR.. Nicholas Murray Butler, who was
reported to be unoficially assisting
Mr. Harvey In the matter It is said
they informed Washington of the
psychological moment for taking ac-
ton. Then Doctor Butler went to
Paris and talked with French leaders,
and told correspondents that Presi-
dent Mlllerand was highly enthusiastic
over the American plan. French and
British statesmen agree with me that
President Harding's proposal marks a
turning point in the history Of the
world said Doctor Rutlpr
Premier Lloyd Georges announce