Evening journal., 1921-11-22
AGREEMENT
ON AMERICAS
PEACE PLAN
Seems NEAR
tcontInuea From FIrst pare.l

United states, Great Britain and
Japan have been still further clari-
fed and that early agreement upon
what Secretary Hughes called the
cardinal point" OF the American
point might be in prospect
Land armament. This question had
virtually been disposed Of today.
Premier Brands speech TO the con-
ference yesterday and the responses
on behalf Of other nations made 10
clear that all accepted the prin-
ciple that land ornaments should be
reduced to the lowest point compat-
ible with national security. Inasmuch
as what constitutes national secur-
ity is a question to be determined by
each nation for itself, the confer
ence it was clearly indicated, is
likely to do little more than pledge
Its members in some formal way to
bring about the maximum possible
reduction n good faith and in keep
ing with the spirit Of the confer
ence.
Frances promised reduction by
amendment Of the conscription law
was expected 70 amount TO at least
125. 900 men and pledges by Great
Britain and the United States that
France would not be left isolated in
the event Of future unprovoked az
erosion were looked upon by some
observers as promising bases for dis
cussion with France Of further re-
duction.
The United States will ask the sig
natures Of the powers attending the
conference to a definite understand
ing regarding Far Eastern and
Pacific questions. This may be in
the form OF a treaty or simply an
agreement but in any event, 1t is to
be put in binding form.
A resolution adopted late yester-
day by the conference. sitting as a
committee on Far Eastern and
Pacific questions is 10 form the basis
for the. agreement. This resolution,
proposed by Eiihu Root OF the Amer
lean delegation relates specifically TO
China.
The American delegation ignoring
or opposing Japan's reservation on
this point intends to take up and set
tie each question respecting China
and the Far East generally which
has been recognized as cause TO or
der TO remove danger Of war In that
part Of the world.
The Root resolution will have TO
be embodied in some sort Of dehnitive
document" said a British spokes-
man today. Whether this will be a
treaty OF Washington. "a"Convention
OF Washington" or somc>other form
is not yet determined. In any event
, the agreement will have the attri-
butes Of treaty whether so termed
or not.
Discussing the plan to embody the
Root resolution in a permanent
document semi-ofhcial British
spokesman today commented:
Most OF these points in the reso-
luton are already contained In
treaties or arrangements between
China or different powers. Instead
Of havinga number Of separate doc
uments they will have the whole in
one document"
Far East committee made a detail
ed examination OF specific questions.
These include status OF the Chinese
eastern railroad. foreign spheres OF
influence in China notably the Jap
anese sphere In Manchuria and the
British in the Yangtse Valley and
possibly Shantung.
Roots resolution was a written ex-
preston OF the adoption in "prin-
ciple' OF China's ten proposals for
making the open door" a fact and
for giving her a chance to work out
her own salvation unham pered by
foreig interference.
The committee on Pacific and Far
Eastern questions Is now expected
10 proceed about as follows:
/. Take up, thresh out and settle
II possible the specific questions OF
International concern in the Far
East.
2. Draw up an "open door,
treaty or agreement on the Far East
summarizing and concluding the
conferences deliberations on these
problems and putting the findings in
definite form.
There is still some doubt as 10 lust
how the conference will proceed
with the question OF Siberia which
comes after China as one Of the main
subjects for consideration on the
agenda.
Premier BRAND today declared
his belief that he had achieved the
purpose for which he came to the
conference.
Almost buried beneath a great
sheaf OF translations Of newspaper
comment upon his speech OF yester.
day and its reception the Premier
smiled broadly as he declared:
THE conference has shown Ger
many that France does not stand
alone.
Now, perhaps. Germany will see
her way clear to a moral disarma.
ment." BRAND added. This is what
she must eventually come to and !
am deeply touched by the sympathy
with which my remarks were re-
ceived for 1 believe the echo of that
sympathy will tell in Germany"
Frances proposed reduction OF
her army is to be real reduction.
BRAND said.
During the pre-war period, when
Frances military service was three
years. there were 10000 men under
arms. Two hundred and fifty thous-
and came in each year as a similar
number went back TO civilian life
Today, with a two-year military
service. the number OF men In
Frances metropolitan army (the
army within Frances border in
Europe) is 100000 men.
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