The Semi-weekly leader., 1921-11-16
ARMS DELEGATES
SHOW REAL SPEED
Japanese Are Expected to Make
Next Move - Americas
Cards on Table.


Washington, Nov. IA. Having
swept aside conventional prelimina-
ries. and smashed diplomatic prece-
dents with one bold stroke, the A
nerican commissioners to the great
est of international councils are to-
night paving the way for other in
novations.
Their first venture toward accom-
pIishing the Limitation Of unneces-
sarg, excessive and expensive arma-
.nients, has already advanced to a
stage absolutely unparalleled in the
tribunals of world Importance, if one
Of such magnitude was ever before
convened.
So complete is the American case
that the two leading nations whose
interests are much largely affected
The British empire and the Imperial
government of Japan-haye decided
to accept in principle" the Ameri-
can proposals for the limitation Of
naval armaments No better evidence
Of the effect of the stupendous pro-
position placed before the delegates
sent by Great Britain, France, Italy,
Japan, China, Belgium, Holland and
Portugal, would be cited than this
fact.
The Paris peace conference de-
voted more than forty days to the
discussion Of the events involved in
the settlement of the war with Ger
many before the first definite stage
was reached.
Further evidence of the soundness
Of the American proposition in Great
ing a new diplomacy that actually
provides "open covenants openly ar
rived at" is given by the decision
which the representatives Of Japan
are said to have reached at a con-
ference this afternoon.
Impressed by the good business
sense, the logic and the effect of the
American method in presenting it's
case, 1t is wholly probable that |
Prince Takaguw Takuguwa, Baron
Kato and~Ambassador Shidehara, in
behalf of His Imperial Majesty's gov
ernment will emulate the example of
the American delegates in a most
striking and dramatic manner pos
sible at the second session of the in
ternational conference tomorrow
when the full agenda may be an
nounced.
REAL WORK WILL BE BEHIND
SHUT DOORS.
Washington, Nov. IA The real
work Of the armament negotiations
was transferred today from the open
conference to the more secluded pre-
cincts Of the committee room.
After a debate which developed
widely separated views on the ad-
visibility of giving publicity to the
negotiations the big five compris-
ing the chief delegates of the United |
States. Great Britain, France, Italy
and Japan, settled on the committee
plan as the only acceptable solution.
70 one committee whose member
ship viii be identical with that of
the fun conference itself, was as
signed the task OF working out a |
solution for the Far Eastern ques-
tions. Another composed of all the
delegates of the five great powers
was created to take over the nego-
tiations on the main topic of arma-
ment limitation.
Since only the delegates of the five
powers are qualified to act on ar
mament limitation in the conference,
the result in each case will be to
resolve the delegates in to a "com-
mittee of the whole"
Although no official would make
a prediction prior to the assembling
of the new committee" the presump-
tion everywhere tonight was that the
meeting would be held behind closed
doors and the public would get al
glimpse of the proceedings only
when. in their capacity as commit
teemen, the delegates have import
ant decision to report to the confer
ence as a whole.