The New York herald., 1921-11-13


Il is probable the representatives Of
The Powers who listened to the COLI,
business-lilSe statement of Mr.. Hughes
in Memorial Continental Hall this
morning were prepared for some new
departure from prevailing forms Of
diplomacy, but their very faces, as
they heard the words that fe.i rom
the lips OF Mr.. Hughes i'll bewidering
rapidity, reflected the confusion of
rheir minds and. in some instances,
almost CONSERVATION. adept as mort
Of them are in concealing their reai
"mUional reactions.
Business Methods at start.
With no attempt at oratory, bur with
blsiness-lilSe directness. Mr.. Hughes
told the representatives of the roreian
Governments gathered around :he in
rernational council table, what the
United States expects to accomplish
in the great enterprises initiated by It
and clearly proposes the method by
which he hoped to accomplish them.
Supported by a convincing array of
Facts and figures regarding tho naval
biographies of Great Britain, Japan
and the United States, which he nam ID
specifically, MI. Hughes notified the
representatives Of the nations partici-
pating in the Conference for the Linn
iation of Armaments and the Discus
sion of Far East affairs. just what the
Cnited States will propose in order tc
relieve humanity from the staggering
burdens and injustices that now fall
lpon its shoulders.
Setting aside for the moment con-
sderation of problems relating 20 Asia
and the Pacific Ocean, the American
President and his Secretary o. state
centred their entire attention on the
evils Of excessive armament. TIE for
mer politely informed the representa-
ives OF the foreign Governments that
the United States would not resort 10
or countenance intrigue in seeking So
buttons for the vast problems to which
he had directed attention of the world
Archaic DiplomOcy Discarded.
The Secretary OF State went even
further in dscardiny archaic and elusive
processes Of diplomacy by placing before
the conference and the world as we'll
every thought. ambition and proposal
that the United States would urge TO the
utmost of It's power and desires.
In doing so no clearly revealed the
purpose Of the American Government to
take council with the people OF the
United States regarding moves that will
be made by its representatives in the
International conference
Statesmen and diplomatists deftly ex-
Derienced in settled processes OF diplo-
macy and national critics OF the Admin
istration as well. were startled there
tore beyond expression by the cold calm.
common sense and direct appeal with
which the Secretary informed the con-
ference that the United States Will ad-
vocate the following reforms:
That all Of the nations partlc.pat-
Ing IN tho conference Immediately
abandon all naval programmes and
take a naval holiday for q period OF
at least ten years.
That further reduction of expense
for navies be made by the scrapping
OF the older ships IN the navies OF
Great Britain, Japan and the United
States.
That the United States abandon
fifteen capital ships. which have al.
ready cost SsS0000.000; that Great
Britain Immediately stop construction
on four new battleships and scrap
her predreadnaghts, second line bat
tleships and first line battioships up
20 the King George V. class: that
Japan abandon her programme of
ships not yet laid down, scrap three
.p!.al ships Iour battle. cruisers ard
All predreadnoughts OF the second
class.
INC Secretary. With tho Unconditional
logic OF the great lawyer and paying no
hte1 20 the sensation that his state
ments were creating pointed out with
mathematical eAactness the method by
watch Disarmament can actually be ac-
conplished without Jcopardizing the in
tsrosts of any Government. but carrying
great benefits to the people throughout
the world.
The effect OF tho startling proposals
made By him on behalf OF the United
States provoked q great deal of mental
turmoil among the foreign delegatcs to
the conference. from which thoy had not
recovered Tonight.
Tho British representatives are tn
clined 70 view the unprecedented suggcs-
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