Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-07-13
await TOXIC REPLY
! ON ARMS PARLEyS
Japan Expected to Follow Other
Powers in Accepting Hard.
ing's Invitation
BRITISH ANSWER RECEIVED
BY the Associated Press

London, July 13.-Thrce Of the prin-
eipal allied nations, Great Britain,
France and Italy, have officially signi-
fed their acceptance Of President Hard
ing's invitation to hold n conference
on limitation OF armaments, while China
has indicated her readiness to partici-
pate in a conference relative to Far
Eastern affairs.
japan is the only one of the Allies
which has not placed herself on record
ms being ready to take part in the
Washington conference. but 1t is ex-
rected in official circles here that her
acceptance will be communicated to the
United States Government soon.
In Government circles in this city II
appears to be the consensus OF opinion
that the meeting at Washington will
be attended by some of the most promi-
nent statesmen of the worh.
The announcement of Premier BRAND,
of France, that he would consider going
to Washington followed indications that
Prime Minister Lloyd George might
also go, provided conditions in Great
Britain are such as to permit his ex-
tended absence from the country. 1t
Is probable, however. that some of the
leading figures in British official life will
be present.
Among those mentioned as delegates
are A. J. Balfour. Lord President Of
the Council; Lord Lee of Farcham.
First Lord Of the Admiralty; Sir Lam.
ing Worthington Evans; Secretary Of
State for War; Admiral Lord Beatty
and Viscount Grey.
Advices from Paris state the the COM
mission for reduction Of armaments ap:
pointed by the League of Nations will
probably hold only brief session in
that city on Saturday. Rene Niviani.
president of the commission, is under
stood to favor an immediate adjourn
ment, although such action would be
upon the initiative of the Council Of
the League.
It seems probable. however. that
President Harding's proposal for con-
ference on steps toward disarmament
will be the dominant feature OF Satur-
days meeting.
Washington, July 13.-(By \. P.)-
, Great Britain's favorable reply to Presi :
dent Hardings invitation for an inter .
national conference on reduction OF
armaments and Far Eastern questions
had reached the State Department to-
day, having been preceded by that oil
France. The nature of the communi
cation was not disclosed beyond Its fa
yorablc character already forecast In
the remarks of Premier Lloyd George.
Replies of the other powers addressed,
Italy, Japan and China. are expctd
| shortly and preliminary work at the de-
partment on details of the conference in
the way of suggestions as to the time
and place of the meetings is IN prog
! ress. 1t has been indicated, however,
that the selection of Armistice Day
November II. as the opening date fol-
sessions to be held in Washington would
not be pressed until all replies were ir
hand.
Press reports from London that hold
ing Of the conferences as 20 Pacih'
questions in the British capital insteac
Of Washington was being suggested
there were not taken very seriously ir
British circles here. 1t was stated that
7 no such proposal had come to the En-
| bassy.
| Secretary Hughes conferred with
J President Harding at the White House
early in the day. but the object of his
visit was not disclosed. Announce
ment of the receipt of the British reply
was made shortly after his call, how
ever.
Rome, July 13.-(By A. PD-ThC
Foreign Ministry notified the American
Embassy last night that President
Harding's plan for a conference for the
limitation Of armament meets with the
full approval Of the Italian Govern
ment.
The Osservatore Romano, the organ
Of the Vatican, today prints a semi
official note warmly congratulatinl
President Harding on the initiative ht
has taken for an international confer
ence on the limitation of armaments.
The American Presidents action
says the note, is identical with that
which Pope Benedict took in August
F., 1917. when His Holiness wrote to the
Powers with the object of ending the
war. and it adds that the Pope will ex =
perience the livehest pleasure in seeing
his prayers realized under the powerful
initiative of the United States