New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-07-21
Preliminary
Arms Parlev
Plan Dropped
Dominion Premiers Unable
to Stay i'll London Long
Enough to Help Clear
Way for Conference Here
Churchill Also May Come
Suggestions Made a Later
Date Might Be More
Suitable for Meeting
From The Tribune,s European Bureau

+ rom Inc JrtOufe 8 European Bureau
Copyright. 1921 New York Tribune Inc.
LONDON, July 20.-There will be no
preliminary meeting in London in prep
aration for the Washington disarma-
ment conference, it was definitely an
nounced in official circles here to-day
Although this had been virtually as
sured, several morning newspapers re-
vived the matter as if it we're still
under consideration.
1t was learned also to-day that con-
ferences regarding the situation in the
Pacific are expected to be held first
in Washington, to be followed, after
a settlement or an agreement is
reached, by the general disarmament
parley. Presumably only the United
States, Great Britain, China and Japan
will participate in the first sessions. IN
spite of the interest France and Hol-
land have in the Pacific questions. 1t
is thought here the scope of the dis
armament council may widen
Notwithstanding the domestic situa-
tion, it appears that Premier Lloyd
George has decided to go to Washing
ton as Great Britains chief represent
ative. That means that Premier BRAND
Of France also will attend, as he would
be unwilling to leave the French rep
resentation to minor figures if the head
of the British government were to be
n the American capital.
Churchill May Come
1t now seems probable that Winston
Churchill may be the second member
of the British delegation. There is a
growing feeling that it would be awk-
ward to have Lloyd George and Lord
Curzon, the Foreign Secretary, absent
az the same time, and Churchill, who
finally has found position appealing
to him, would as Colonial Secretary
have particular interest in both con-
ferences. Moreover, Churchil's mother
was an American, a fact which prob
ably would add to his desire to attend.
In the background there are A. J,
Balfour and Lord Miner as possible
delegates, the latter, however, being
improbable Of selection.
British opinion does not take very
seriously Japan's hesitancy in giving
unqualified assent to the Pacific con-
ference, the view being that a nation
which refused to discuss measures to
secure peace convicts itself out of
court.
LONDON, July 20 (By The Asso-
ciated Press) Instead of the proposed
preliminary disarmament conference
here there will be a conference be-
tween the British Cabinet Ministers
and the Dominion Premiers. For this
purpose Premier Meighen%Sof Canada
has postponed indefinitely his idea of
sailing for home. This conference will
be devoted, first, to discussion of the
policy apd representations of the Brit
ish Empire at the Washington confer
cnce, and second, to the advisability OF
asking the Washington government to
postpone the disarmament and Pacific
conference to some later date thar
November Ill
Would Suit Premiers
Such postponement would not only
be agreeable to the Dominion Premiers
who will be unable to be in Washing
ton IN November, but it would be more
convenient to the British government
because, in the event of the Irish ne
gotiations proving successful, it might
become necessary to hold an autumn
session of Parliament to legislate for a
new Irish settlement
The abandonment of the idea of &
preliminary conference in London i:
Continued next paoe)