The Washington herald., 1921-10-13
U. S. DELEGATES
aim TO REDUCE
GREAT NAVIES
Will Urge Reassertion of
Open-Door Principle
In Far East.
BY ROBERT J. BENDER.

American arms limitation nego-
tiators have had their FIRST signal
practice in anticipation Of the in
transitional meet opening here No
vember IL.
In a three-and-a-haif hour con-
ference at the State Department
yesterday. Secretary Hughes, Elihu
Root, Senator Underwood and sena-
tor Lodge studied the diplomatic
plays prepared by State Depart
ment, war and navy experts, and
were familiarized with the mechan-
ical outlay to be utilized in carry
ing through the negotiations.
Basil Miles was elected secretary
Of the American delegation, each
negotiator to select his own private
secretary. Secretary Hughes was
decided upon as official spokesman
of the group and. save for what he
might give out. silence was agreed
upon as the course of the other del
egates.
President Issues Letter.
With the holding of this first
conference of the big four" yes
terday. the American purposes in
the arms conference took on definite
form. The meeting was accom-
panied by the official issuance at
the White House OF a letter written
by President Harding, designed to
make one thing absolutely clear:
The American government does
not seek and, indeed. would not
sanction disarmament"
This point was emphasized also
by the negotiators, necessitated, il
is explained, by a growing misap-
abroad, that the United States
its armament
Wants Stay I'm Naval Program.
What the American government
would like to see effected is a stay
in the gigantic building programs
contemplated by the leading powers
apd means for a diminution OF pres
ent naval and military establish
ments, always with due regard for
the defense requirements of each
nation.
Because armament reduction is in
large measure contingent upon
clearing up sources Of friction in
the Far East, there must be an in
ternational understanding reached
not an international alliance,
however-among the leading powers
built upon a reassertion Of the
principle Of the open door and ac-
companied by definite measures
for fulfilling the understandings
reached.
Economic Principles Urged.
Practical application OF economic
principles is to be used in bringing
an agreement both as regards the
Far Eas. and arms Limitation. ia
mans right to peacefully expand
will be recognized. England's need
of ample protection for her great
marine trade also will be given due
regard. Broadly, this constitutes
the basis from which the American
negotiators are starting to work on
their problems. The American gov
ernment has suggested an elastic
agenda to which, il is declared,
there may be additions at any time
the conference believes Its work
might well be increased in scope.
Secretary Hughes already has made
one additional suggestion which
would include discussion of elec-
trfcal Communication in the Far
East, WHICH embraces telegraphic,
radio and cable questions this gov
ernment believes should be settled.
May Discuss Foreign Debts.
There have been other informal
suggestions which seem likely 90
come up during the conference, par
ticularly the one from European
capitals that the problem of foreign
debts TO the United States should be
considered, IL the economic stabili-
zation of Europe II to be fastened
The suggestion has been made By
certain American students of eco-
nomics that there might well be ar
adjustment of foreign Indebted.
nesses~ based upon adjustments OF
n