Omaha daily bee., 1921-09-09
Vet Denied
Place In
Harding Explains Reasons for
Refusing TO Appoint Ex-
Soldier to Meeting on
Armament Limitation.
-Four on u. S. Delegation
BY ARTHUR SEARS HENNING.
Chicago Tribune Omaha Dee Leased Wire.

Chicago Tribune Omaha Dee Leased Wire.
Washington. Sept s,-President
Harding contemplateS limiting 10
four men the American delegation 10
the forthcoming conference on the
limitation OF armaments and the
Psciiic and far eastern questions.
The delegation, according to the
prevailing belief here tonight. prob
ably, will consist OF the following
members:
Charles Evans Hughes, secretary
OF state. republican.
Henry Cabot Lodge. senator from
Massachusetts, and chairman oil the
senate committee on foreign rcll-
tons. republican.
Elihu Root. formerly secretary OF
state and later senator from New
York, republican.
Oscar w. Underwood, senator
from Alabama. democrat.
The selection of Secretary
Hughes and Senator Lodge already
has been announced by the presi-
dent. Mr.. Root called at the White
House and was closeted with the
president for an hour or more. bu,
declined to reveal the purpose Of his
visit. Indications are not wanting
that he has been invited to serve as
delegate and it is believed he
would not decline except possibly
on the score of his advanced age
and condition of his health.
Considers Several Democrats.
Although President Harding has
had several democrats under con-
sideration, including Senator's Hitch
cock of Nebraska, and Pomerene
OF Ohio, John w. Davis and John
Bassett Moore. present indications
point to the selection of Mr. Under.
wood.
For secretary general of the cen.
ference. George Wharton Peppc'
of Philadelphia is said to be slated.
Holland and Belgium will be
asked to participate in the confer
ence. so far as the discussion relates
to their interests if the other pow
ers already invited are willing.
These two nations have asked rep
resentation and Secretary Hughes
has inquired whether Great Britain.
France, Italy and Japan have any
objections. The plans Of the presi-
dent are partly disclosed in letter
he wrote to Congressman Jeffers
of Alabama last Friday. Mr.. JEFF
fers, who is a democrat and for
rr1er soldier of the world war. wrote
the president, strongly urging the
inclusion Of an ex-service man in
the American delegation.
Mr.. Harding replied that it would
not be feasible to name an ex-
service man for the main delegation
which he contemplates limiting to
four members. He explained the
considerations guiding him in the
choice of the members. among
whom he aims to include "outstand-
ing representation OF the present
minority in congress"
Congressman Jeffers' letter fol-
lows:
"My Dear Mr.. President
Il have been reading with great
interest the plans for the tisarma-
ntent conference as they have been
reported in the daily papers.
1T was my privilege to serve in
the army during the world war as a
member of the 82d division. conf
Company G OF the 326th
and also commanding the
Second battalion of the 320tt :nfan-
try. Having served in this conflict,
Of course I have very grea. inter-
est now in the plans of the disarfna-
nent conference and | entertain the
hope that the result of the confer
ence will be all that we all SO much
desire.
Il feel that no set OF men in the
nation today have a keener or trucr
interest in the work to be done by
his important conference than the
service men and | write this letter
Is an urgent appeal that the men
who fought the war for the protec-
ion of our homes and for the safety
If our flag be now recognized by the
administration in connection with
he disarmament conference bv hav-
ng an ex-service man named as a
member of the American delegation
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