Evening star., 1921-11-16
BRAND to Bring
Up Issue of
Land Arms.
SPEED OF WORK
'EVOKES PRAISE
Program
Carried Out in
Twin Subjects.
BY N. O. MESSENGER.

Secretary Hughes idea that the
twin subjects of the international
conference, limitation of armament
and far eastern questions, can be
dealt with concurrently is being car
ried out. The committee of ad-
mirals." appointed by the committee
on program of the conference, will
take immediate jurisdiction over the
notifications designed to be pre-
sented by Great Britain and Japan
to the American naval plan of arma-
ment Limitation.
At the same time another group of
delegates. including the minor
powers represented at the conference,
will be at work upon Pacific and
far eastern questions.
BRAND to Bring Up Armies.
The second branch of armament
limitation, the reduction of land
forces. will very shortly be taken up.
Premier BRAND of France having
notified the conference and received
Secretary Hughes assent to do so
that he would soon be prepared to
start the discussion Of that subject.
The promptness with which the
conference is getting under way and
making actual practical progress is
the marvel of the old-world diplo-
matists. unused to such celerity in
procedure attending important meet
ings of this character.
Secretary Hughes has fixed the
slogan of the great international as
sembly, in effect, and in the terse
language OF the day 1t is that the
way to limit is to limit and the way
to disposeN Of vexing questions il to
settle them, SO, why delay?
Approval L. Expected.
All of which is said to be quite ac-
ceptable to the visiting statesmen.
and unquestionably will meet with
the approval of the American peo-
pie, who are nothing If not prone to
lens whose consideration is once
undertaken.
There is one little matter. however,
which has yet to be worked out, or
something will be heard from the
country" and that is the degree of
of the topics in hand. Secretary
Hughes. in private conversation here
tofore, has expressed his favor of a
confidence of the conference as it
goes along. He set the example by
exposing the American program at
the outset.
Mr. Balfour in his address to the con-
ference Yesterday rather chilled public
nknty 10, NNr
secrecy would be rigidly maintained
over such portions of the delibera-
tions as required secrecy Many in the
audience looked down their nose at this
broad hint to the delegates. There is
likely to be difference of opinion be-
tween the view Of the public and the
old world statesmen as to what is
necessary to keep in camera.
Public I'm Expectant Mood,
After Secretary Hughes startling bold
play on the opening day of the con-
ference, it is observable that the pub
lie is in mood to expect other swift
developments in the unfolding of the
conferences work and to think that
''most anything can happen" The be-
lief prevails in some quarters that in
broad. swift strokes the eastern ques-
tions may be outlined very soon.
Whether the United States will take
the initiative in this branch of the
agenda as it did with naval limitations.
or whether Japan may come through
with a preliminary offer is the subject
Of speculation in diplomatic and official
circles.
1t is quite apparent that the Jana
nese delegation is in sympathy with
Secretary Hughes policy of celerity of
action in the conference. Indeed his
spirit has become contagious, and al.
ready on the side lines there is talk of
the conference winding up the main
features Of Its work within a couple
of months. or putting it into shape for
committee settlement, which would re-
lieve the main body Of the delegates
from the necessity of a prolonged stav
in the American capital.
Much Important stiu Undore.
This spirit Of optimism may be
dashed, however, as the ramifications
of the agenda spread out. There is a
great deal of Importance yet to be
whipped into form for the unanimous
agreement Of the delegate body. The
subject of regulation of modern meth
DDS and implements of warfare. con-
sidered to be one Of the most impor-
tant before the conference, can be
cited.
Public interest is found to be at
tracted to the forthcoming exposition
by Premier BRAND Of Frances con-
Ncern in limitation of land force, Pon.
uiar imagination is fired, it is demon
strated in comments heard, by
Frances position respecting the ne.
cessity of maintaining a large army.
a position occupied by herself rather
eastern questions can be settled sat.
isfactorily, Japan's claims for keep
ing large army will be recognised
to have merit.
In authoritative British quarters
today it was indicated that in the
discussion before the COMMITTEES OF
admirals of notifications Of the
American naval Limitation plan, Great
Britain's main concern would be the
reduction of submarine tonnage; and,
the question OF whether naval con-
struction plants should be annihilated
for ten years, or q unit keep alive
during that period in case it is de-
sired at the end Of the holiday to