The Washington times., 1921-07-24
conference ON
armament HERE
| T0ATTRACT MANY
WI Bring Thousands Of visi-
tors to Capital From All
Parts OF World.
By HARRY GUSACK.


Bust - tho eyes of the entire
world were turned to Paris In Jan
nary. 1919, and to Versailles on June
p, 1919, when the peace treaty was
afGned, they arc now turned to Wash
1ngton a. q result of the armament
conference soon to be held In the
National Capital.
Thousands Coming.
Now that five Of the worlds great
est powers have accepted President
Harding's, invitation to attend the con-
ference on disarmament and Far East
problems, officials Of the State De.
pArtment are beginning to make elab-
crate preparations for the housing and
the entertainment of the distinguished
visitors while they are here.
That the coming conference viii
mean thousands of dollars to Wash.
inston merchants and hotels and res
taurants, just as 1t meant large sums
OF money to the merchants and hotel
men OF Paris, L. foregone conclu-
SION. NJ 1t Is estimated that the cor
terence will bring at least from $4,000
TO $4,000 people from all sections OF
the country to Washington. In Hddi-
ton, 1t rs estimated that the foreign
representatives. with their retinue of
secretaries. under secretaries. clerks
tendants VIII number very near 1000
people.
Thousands of Americans who nre
strong advocates of disarmament
program will flock to the National
Capital to watch the progress of the
conference, while on the other hand
an equally large number will come
here who are opposed to a disarma.
ment program.
Harding to Ask Expenses.
In order to pay the expenses Of
the American commission at the
Forthcoming Congress. President
Harding will ask Congress for a
special appropriation. At present
there Is no sum available for such
purpose, since the Boran reso-
luton for the conference provided
no funds for 1t. Just how much of
AZ, appropriation will be asked fer
Is problematicsl now, but II Is OK
rected to be far less than the cost
of the United States combustion
which participated in the drafting
Of the Versailles pact.
The question has alst been raised
rs TO whether the foreign nations
would expect the United States to
foot the bills of the guests but
precedent, however, is AGAINST s-ich
an expensive treat by the Federal
Government, so 1t is practically ss-
sured that England, France, Italy.
japan and China and other nations
VIII pay their own expenses while
here.
The most important problem
which will have to be decided upon
within short time. and which is
holding the attention of officials
Of the State Department. Is a fit
ting place in which to hold the con-
ference.
Conference Seat In Doubt.
Shall the conference be held in
the White House? Or shall it be
held in the Pan-American Build
ing? Or perhaps in the Capitol.
If Congress is not in session? That
is the question that Government Of
ficials are trying to decide at the
present time.
The probability il, however, that the
coming conference will be held in the
building of the Pan-American Union,
located between B and G streets on
Seventeenth, overlooking the Presi-
dents park on the east and the Po-
tomac Park on the south. within
stones throw of the washington
Monument. 1t Is also near the Lin.
coin Memorial. and ranks as one Of
the most beautiful public buildings In
the world. 1t was erected at a cost Of
more than $1,000, 900.
II the conference is held In this
building, the delegates VIII assemble
in "The Hall OF the Americas"
which IL said to be the most beau
tfful room of its kind in the United
States The large windows In the
rear. looking out upon the terrace,
carry the coats OF arms and colors
of the various American republics,
and arc draped with curtains Of roy