The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1921-11-29

ent--Presidenf Believes an Inferna-
tional Conference Is First Big Princi-
ple-Work out Details Later
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.
| Especial Despatch to The Reformer
Copyright 1921.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 29.-President
Harding has worked out only in principle
the project for a continuous conference
Of nations The criticism of Senator
! Borah. therefore, that the talk of "as-
ISOLATION of nations" would only be ''the
league Of pations under another name" is
unfortunately based upon inadequate in
| formation.
This correspondent has the highest au-
thority for making the foregoing observa-
tions. The truth is Mr. Harding did not
plan deliberately to interject a discussion
| of a world organization into the press at
this time He was asked question at
the regular conference with Washington
correspondents last Friday and the fnitia-
tive was entirely with the latter The
impromptu answer was indeed the express
sion by the President of his earnest hope
of what might develop out of the gather
ing which now is taking place. For
long time he has sensed the rising tide
of international cooperation of some kind
| though at the same time he has felt that
the people of the United States would not
sanction anything that sayored of "su-
II per governments"
Not Like League of Nations.
II Anybody who supposes that Mr.. Hard
ing has in mind an organization like the
II present league of nations will find that
notion diSsipated when the President
\ makes known the details of his plan Nor
does the President feel that he would be
creating a rival to the league of nations.
Since the United States government has
definitely turned down the idea of mem
bership in the league of nations in its
present form it would be illogical, say
II Mr. Harding's friends, to find the Pres
ident proposing another organization with
similar rules and regulations and with
merely another name.
This much the new plan would have in
common with the league of nations an
identity of object, namely the prevention
Of war by having frequent international
conferences. But that object has been
sought through one form or another for
generations and the feeling in administra-
tiOn quarters Is that there cannot be too
many efforts in that direction.
American Peace Society Plan
As an example of how different the
Harding plan might eventually be from
II the league of nations covenant. it is in
III teresting to summarize the principles
which have been embodied by the Amer
lean peace society in one project which
has been sent to every member of the con-
ference on limitation of armament 1t
cannot be said that the American peace
ISociety foEtTota viii be adopted but it
would hor4be surprising if the plan
worked out by che President resembled
more closely this type of plan than the
league covenant Here are the princi-
First, 10 institute conferences of ma
ti0Hs to meet at stated intervals in con-
tIhuatIon of the first two conferences of
the Hague: and to facilitate the labOrs
If conferences, to invite accredited insti-
tutions devoted to the study of interna-
tional law, to prepare projects for the
consideration of governments. in advance
of submission Ia the conferences.
Second, to conyoke as soon as practi-
cable conference for tile advancement OF
International law; to provide for its or
gauiZation outside the domination OF any
one nation or any limited group of ma
4 tioms; to which conference every nation
\ recognizing. accepting, and applying inter
national law in its relation with other ma
tionS shall be invited. and in which all
nations shall participate upon footing
Of equality.
Administration Councils
Third. to establish an administrative
council to be composed of diplomatic rep
rcsentatives accredited to the government
of the country in which the conference for
the advancement of international law
EcOuyenes.
Fourth, to authorize the admins
tratige council to appoint outside its
own members an executive committee or
secretary's Office TO perform such duties
' as the conference or the nations shall
from time to time prescribe.
Fifth, to empower the administrative
council to appoint other committees for
the performance of such duties as the ma
tions i'm their wisdom or discretion shall
/ find it desirable TO impose
Sixth, to employ good offices. media
and friendly composition wherever feas-
IDLE and practicable, in their own dis
/ putes and TO urge their employment
wherever feasible and practicable in dis
putes between other nations.
Commission of Inquiry
Seventh, to organize a commission of
/ inquiry to which nations may refer their
disputes for investigation and report un-
less they are otherwise bound to submit
\ them to arbitration or other form of
peaceful settlement, and to pledge their
4 good faith to abstain from any act of
force against one another pending the in
vestigation of the commission and receipt
of its report and to reserve the right to
act on the report as their respective in
- Cord of V,I,orIyS