New-York tribune., 1921-11-05
Spokesmen of All Sides
Commend Harding Ac-
ton and Unanimously
lndorse the Conference
Delayed Sailing of
Premier Regretted
Stress Is Put ON Point
Assemblagc Won't Be
Antagonistic to League
From The Tribunc's European Bureau

Copyright. 1921. New York Tribune Inc.
LONDON, Nov 4.-The British
Parliament to-day indorsed unani.
mously the Washington Conference on
Limitation Of Armament and Far
Eastern Questions. A motion offered
by John, Robert Clynes, leader Of the
Labor party, expressing warm an
proval, gave the House it's first on
po1tunity to discuss the parley and
for nearly three hours before the
vote was taken members from all
parties spoke in support Of the reso,
luton. 1t read:
"Ihat this house warmly approves
o. the meeting of On international
conference at Washington and
trusts that supreme effort will
be made to arrive at such q meas
ure of agreement as will secur,
substantial, progressive reduction
III the pressing burdens of arma-
raent"
The government had forestalled a
controversial debate by requesting
alliance be not mentioned. As q re-
suit the debate centered around a
speech of Austen Chamberlain, gov
ernment spokesman in the House, who
declared the faith of the Cabinet in
the meeting and said that the Pre-
mier regretted profoundly that he
could not be present at the opening
session. Cheers went up from the
House when he said that Lloyd George
hoped to take the leadership of the
British delegation at an early date.
In other quarters to-day it was
learned that the Premier hopes to
start for America within two weeks.
Figures Are Submitted
Most of the Commons de bate empha-
sized the necessity of reducing arma-
mcnts for economic reasons. Several
speakers, notably Clynes and Lord
Robert Cecil, stressed the point that
the conference must not be regarded as
rival of the League of Nations.
Striking figures showing the finan-
cial burden which armaments were on
the country were presented by Clynes,
who said that the present establish
ment was costing England four times
what its pre-war forces cost. He showed
that four shillings out of every pound
col ected in income taxes went to keep
up the army and navy. Both Clynes
and George N. Barnes, another Labor
member, painted grim pictures of the
horrors of the next war, particularly
If no international agreement were
reached for banning the use of gas and
liquid fire. Lord Robert Cecil said he
could see no hope for the survival of
civilization unless armaments were re-
duccd.
Chamberlain began his speech by
paying high compliment to President
Harding, whose invitation, he said.
"was welcomed in this country with
unanimity and thankfulness" He said
that there was nothing in the invita-
tion "hostile or derogatory to the
league"
After expressing regret that Lloyd
George was not going to be able to sail
as soon as he had planned, amberlain
paid a compliment to A. J. Balfour, of
the delegation, mentioning his long ca
that he had long been the principal
British representative on the League of
Nations Council.
Defining the policy of the govern
ment, Chamberlain said that it was the
Cabinets desire "to seek peace and
insure it," He said that the minister's
Joined with the House in prayers for
the success of the conference.
Unselfishness in Call
LONDON, Nov. (By The Associ-
ated Press) THE world, said John
Robert Clynes, in opening the debate,
was indebted to America for the con-
vening of the conference. The League
of Nations was incomplete for its pur-
pose, he thought, and he regarded
America. in relation to this conference.
as having taken q step to carry out
the main principles and objects sought
to be obtained by the league.
Unless the conference d>alt with the
causes at the root of armaments there
was little hope OF any reduction, de-
cared the Labor leader, who at an
other point in his speech said:
We cannot trust to alliances based
on present o. past friendship and rest
ing on any material or economic in
Continued mex. pase)