New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-09-21
Harding Plans
Solemn Day as
Farley Opens
Preparing Proclamation to
Rally National Sentiment
in Behalf of Conference
as Delegates Assemble
LIST Session To Be Formal
Council to Go to Arlington
for Armistice Day Trib-
ute to American Dead
By Carter Field


WASHINGTON, Sept. 20.-Convinced
that an aroused public opinion
throughout the country will have its
effect on the success Of the armament
limitation conference, President Har-
ding, it was learned at the White
House to-day, is encouraging public
demonstrations for November II, in
tends to issue a proclamation, and
will make the day virtual, if not a
legal, holiday.
At the same time the President does
not want the opening Of the conference
to interfere with the greatest possible
concentration Of public thought ON
Armistice Day itself. With that end
in view he plans to have the conference
meet perfunctorily and adjourn, with
out speeches or expressions of any
sort. Then the delegates and assistants
will accompany the President and
Cabinet to Arlington, where the body
Of an unknown American soldier,
killed in France, will be buried as a
tribute to all the American soldiers
who gave their lives overseas.
The whole world will be represented
as America pays tribute" the presi-
dent. Is said to have remarked in dis
cussing this phase Of the situation.
To Open Session November IL
The following day, November 12, will
be the real beginning Of the armam ent
conference. President Harding will
deliver an address Of welcome to the
delegates, outlining Americas hope of
curtailment of armament expenditures
by all the big powers, and then the or
ganization will be effected, probably by
the election Of Charles Z. Hughes, head
of the American delegation, as presi-
dent Of the conference.
President Harding has received many
suggestions from churches and church
organizations proposing that the Sun
day prior to November IL shall be
agreed upon as day of prayer for the
success of the gathering. He has made
1t known that he leans more favorably
to tho idea of uniting prayers and dem
onstrations on Armistice Day, thus
making virtually day set apart for its
consideration and concentrating atten-
ton more closely on it's aims and hopes.
Senator Underwood, of Alabama,
Democratic leader of the Senate who
called at the White House to-day to
oi'e'hh VIC IcSlueHt LOT ScleCClng MIN
as one of the delegates to the arms
council, expressed the belief that agree
fnents would be reached as the result
OF the meeting He said one reason
why he was optimistic was that public
sentiment here and abroad is strongly
Tor reducing ornaments.
The Alabama Senator reiterated his
view that politics should not be al
lowed to enter into the consideration
OF any proposition before the approach
ing conference.
u believe program can be worked
out" said Mr.. Underwood 81 have no
doubt that public sentiment in Eng
land, France, Italy and Japan is strong
for reducing armaments. The people
are anxious to have the enormous bur
dens of great forces lowered. talked
with the President to-day for only a
few minutes. am not advised what
are the details of the plans of the
President and Secretary Hughes and
the American delegation as to the con
ference, but | am bound to say am
very hopeful.
:" called on the President to thank
him for appointing me as one of the
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