The New York herald., 1921-12-03
CRI7ICSPUT TOROUT
|. BY ADMINISTRATION
American Officials Say At
tempt to Discredit Confer
ence Has Failed.
CONFIDENT OF SUCCESS
Sentiment for Assisting in
Russian Rehabilitation Pre-
walls Among Delegates.
BY LOUIS sEIBOLD.

BY LOUIS SEIBOLD.
Special Despatch TO THE New YORK HERALD
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington. ID. C.. Dec. 9.
The efforts of unfriendly critics
and antagonistic newspapers to dis
credit the Conference for the Limita-
ton Of Armament and discussion Of
Far Eastern matters have completely
failed in the opinion of the leading
officials of the American Govern.
ment. In disclosing this fact tonight
the spokesmen for the Government
and its representatives in the con.
ference expressed the most optimistic
estimates Of the work accomplished
to date and of the prospects for final
and satisfactory achievement.
Making allowances for motives
back Of the cautious processes used
in working out the vast problems
confronting the delegates of the nine
countries represented at the interna
tional council table the results to date
are viewed by the highest officials Of
the American Government as being
wholly gratifying, fine, in every re
spect; If anything little too fast in
view OF the tremendous interests in.
volved which require mutual indul
gence, great tact and reasonable pa
tience."
Regarding the greater number of
American newspapers it is the pro
nounced conviction of the most i'm.
portant Government officials that
"the American press has contributed
to a state Of mind toward this con.
ference which is the finest reflex Of
the heart of the Republic"
High Service OF Newspapers.
II is further believed by these off,
Gals that 1t will be to the everlasting
credit of the American newspapers,
regardless of the results, that they
have accurately reflected the state Of
mind of the American people and have
thereby assisted in making the con-
ference a success"
These statements were provoked by
q tendency on the part of some news
papers to misrepresent, or mis-
interpret. the attitude of President
Harding toward suggestions for ex-
panding the scope OF the present con-
ference. The President has endeavored
TO make it entirely clear that he has
never for an instant considered advo-
eating the creation Of any interna-
tional body TO rival or undertake the
functions OF the League of Nations
The President and Secretary Hughes
have set at rest speculation regarding
their purpose to bring forward before
the present conference matters outside
the aeenda. For several days reports
have been current that the American
officials had discussed with Mr.. Bal
four some of the more important fea-
lures of the Russian situation.
There is no question that the domi-
nant sentiment OF the conference
favors lending assistance toward the
rehabilitation of Russia compatible
with international policies. British
suggestions in this direction are un-
derstood TO have been limited to hav-
ing the conference urge that the ter
rltorial integrity of Russia be re-
spected in order to preserve 1t from
outside encroachment.
Japanese Swinging Around.
The efforts Of the delegates to bring
competitive naval figures closer to-
gether and smooth out the difficulties
OF China were rather more interesting
to-day than important. The commit
tees are trying TO assemble enough
material TO Justify n plenary session
by the middle of next week.
japanese delegates were poring over
figures TO support their contention
that the imperial navy is entitled to
larger defensive ornaments than are
provided by the Hughes formula. Re
suits of the conference OF the Big
Three" tonight however. confirmed
the prevailing opinion that the dipio-
matte delegates. who will render the
final decision Of their country are
coming TO the American and British
viewpoint. "Toko is thinking u over
before swinging into line and making
certain a satisfactory agreement, was
the expressed belief.
The delegates OF China and Japan
continued informal conversations
Japan wants to know when and how
China Is going 20 pay for the cost of
administering the kaiou-Chou dis
trict Of the Shantung peninsula for
the last seven years also what guar
antees are to be forthcoming In the
way Of liquidating the s3S0.O0O.OOO
which japanese interests have ad-
vanced for tho equipment and opera-
tion OF tho railways in the Pellin
sphere Of influence. Up to date the
discussion OF Shantung has been most
Continued on Page Two.