New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-08-08
Association of
Nations Seen
In Arms Parlev
Attitude of British Imperial
Council Strengthens Belief
Washington Session Nav
Develop Harding's Idea
Dominions Held Friendly
Merging of Conference Into
Presidents Plan Believed
More Logical Than Pact
BY Carter Field

WASHINGTON. Aug. Development
~ the armament limitation conference
into an association of nations is be-
reved here to-day to be more likely as
q result Of the stand taken by the
~-emiers Of the British dominions at
The imperial conference, just adj
journed.
tional affairs here have been thinking
for some time that this would be the
ns+uraI course Tor the Washington con-
Forence TO follow. Belief here that it
would grow gradually into such an as
ISOLATION. fulfilling President Harding's
PROMISES made during the campaign
that ne would urge an association of
nations in place Of the Wilson league,
ixs beeu strong, as has been indicated
IN the Tribune Washington dispatches.
But the summary given out az the con-
elnsiou of the British imperial confer
.rce carries the idea further, to the
minds OF observers here, than any step
The whole underlying idea OF the
rremiers Of the British doninlons, APP
narently, was either a closer under
standing and working agreement be-
tween the British Emperor common
wealth. as Lord Northcliffe prefers TO
state it-and the United States, or
three-cornered arrangement between
Britain. Japan and the United States.
The British seem to have been eager
70 bring this about. preferably in pre-
lininarv conferences prior to the for
nal meeting Of the November confer
ence.
Misunderstanding Trivial
= ~,
indicate very serious misunderstanding
inc between the British and Colonel
Harvey on this whole subject, but OBJ
servers here assert that the misunder-
standing was slight, and, as matter
o. fact. probably was more an lnaccu-
pa of statement inside the British
imperial conference than anything else.
Colonel Harvey, it is thought here,
believing strongly in the Harding as
socistion Of nations idea, and believing
also in the mutual interests of the
British Empire and the United States,
conceded so heartily with the desires
and wishes Of the British dominlons on
the main idea that they carried away
the impression that the United States
approved the preliminary conference
idea as well.
Assuming the avowed objects Of the
aCGTQGCAlNE
torily disposed of, it is pointed out
nothing would be more logical than
that the British idea Of an under
standing between the United States.
Britain and Japan, merged into the
Harding idea Of a conference, includ-
ing also France and Italy, would be-
come the established agency to be
called upon when any important con-
troversy affecting the peace OF the
world should arise.
There is much interest here in the
continued evidence that the British
premiers objected 20 the renewal Of
the Angi oJapanese alliance unless it
should be made satisfactory to the
United States in every particular.
The dominion premiers are expected
10 be present at the meetings Of the
conference in November. and though
none OF their dominions will be off,
cially represented. the British delega-
ton cannot help but be influenced by
the opinions Of these outspoken lead
ers from Australia, Canada. New Yea
land and South Africa. all OF whom
sympatnize almost entirely with the
United States as against Japan on the
various controversies which are TO be
brought up for settlement at the con-
ference
Il IS assumed from the developments
at the British Imperial Conference that
though there is some dissatisfaction
because this country would not agree
70 the preliminary conference, either
IA London or Washington, the domin-
ion premiers are agreeably inclined to
accept the Harding conference in lieu
Of the understanding between Britain,
Japan and the United States which
they rad wanted.