New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-07-11
France and Italy Included
With Great Britain and
Japan; China Added on
Far Eastern Questions
Washington Named
AS Seat of Council.
Note Definitely Links Pa.
cific Issues to Reduce
ton of Armed Forces
By Carter Field


WASHINGTON, July 10.-For-
NAL announcement that Great Brit
ain, France, Italy and Japan have
oeen informally invited by President
to hold a conference on the
limitation of armaments, which will
also take up Pacific and Far Eastern
questions, was made at the State
Department tonight. President Har-
ding in proposing the conference
suggested that it be held in Wash
ngton, at a time to be agreed upon-
China has been invited to have a
representative at the conference, so
far as the discussion of Far Eastern
problems is concerned.
Following is the text of the State
statement:
"The President, in view of the
farreaching Importance of the
question of limitation OF arma-
ments, has approached with infor-
NAL but definite inquiry the group
of powers heretofore known as the
principal Allied and Associated
Powers-that is, Great Britain,
France, Italy and Japan-to ascer-
tain whether it would oe agreeable
to them to take part in a confer
ence on this subject to be held in
Washington at q time to be mu-
tually agreed upon. If the pro-
posal is found to be acceptable for
NAL invitations for such confers
ence will be issued.
China Also Invited /
SIT is manifest that the ques-
tion of limitation of armaments
has a close relation to Pacific and
Far Eastern problems, and the
President has suggested that the
powers especially interested in
these problems should undertake
in connection with this conference
the consideration of all matters
bearing upon their solution, with
view to reaching common under
standing with respect to princi-
pies and policy in the Far East.
This has been communicated to the
powers concerned and China also
has been invited to take part in
the discussion relating to Far
Eastern problems"
This is the first public announcement
of the move begun by President Har-
ding when he authorized Colonel
George Harvey to represent this coun-
try on the Supreme Council. At that
time the President instructed Mr.. Har-
vey to sound the Allies with a view to
having a conference on the limitation
of armaments.
Immediately the proposed renewal Of
the Anglo-Japanese alliance was in
jected into the disarmament discus
sions, and the President indicates very
frankly that these Far Eastern and Pa
cific questions are inextricably inter-
woven with any consideration Of dis
armament by providing that the sama
conference shall take up both subjects.
Acceptances Taken for Granted
1t is taken for granted here that the
powers invited have indicated, however
that they would agree to
meet in such conference. Otherwise,
it is pointed out, the statement might
just as well have been issued weeks
ago. No mystery has been made at the
White House for some time t&at. over
lures were quietly being made with a
view to bringing about disarmament
conference.
There are two surprises in the an.
however. One is she ex.
treme frankness with which the Fal
Eastern and Pacific situation is coupled
with disarmament. No conversation or
disarmament among diplomats or higl
officials of the Administrative has beer
held which did not work round in
short time to the renewal of the Anglo
Japanese alliance, and to the various
open issues between this governmen
and Japan. The open door in China
Zap, occupation OF the upper half o
Saghalien Island, the California Ian,
laws and other unsettled issues be
tween this country and Japan are wha
made the proposed senewal of tn
Anglo-Japanese alliance of immediat
concern to this government.
Naturally it has been freely ADMITTED
in private, therefore, that the repewa
OF this alliance would exercise direc
and immediate effect on any disarma.
ment proposal. This is the more i'm
portant when it is considered that only
three countries have been really con.
sidered to count--in the opinion hers
ON naval disarmament These. o,
course, are the United States, Grea'
Britain and Japan.
Diplomacy Is Approved
Inclusion of France and Italy, tina
restoring the big five of peace con
ference days. Is regarded as yer
clever stroke on the part of the. Har
ding Administration despite tEA fac
that no one mas suggested that tn
world disarmament problem would i