The Washington herald., 1921-11-23
By WILLIAM ALLEN WHITE.

The conference has closed the
formative period of it's deliberations.
The major aims of the powers hay-
ing most at stake have been de-
clared. America has stated clearly
and definitely her proposal for par
tial disarmament. England has
made her plea for abolition of the
submarine. China has set forth her
ten points, which demand the open
door and a permanent conference to
consider Far Eastern matters.
Japan has asked for more battle
ships. France has asked for the re-
tention Of submarines and for 4
standing army sufficient to cope
with Germany.
The cards are now all on the
table. And upon the main ques-
lions at issue agreement lin prin-
ciple" has been secured. The Amer
lean disarmament suggestions have
been accepted, the Chinese "opcn
door" proposals have found theoret-
ical acceptance, subject to amend
ment and debate. And in the matter
of her standing army and her re-
quest for the moral support of the
allied and associated powers. France
has received her three cheers, which
amount to little, but which seem to
satisfy France.
Tangle In Chinese Revenues.
Now to work out the details Of
these proposals, suggestions and re-
quests in the form of letters. agree
ments and understandings.
The cOmmittee on disarmament
has been working nearly a week.
and Far Eastern committees have
80 e
the revenue tanyle of China.
In the Chinese revenue question
lies the whole Far Eastern ques-
tion. 1t is because other govern
ments have conhscated the Chinese
tariffs that China is unable to raise
and maintain standing army in an
old and wicked world. and so is at
the mercy of the armed powers. To
straighten out the finances and the
import duties of the Chinese is the
practical way to go at the Eastern
problem. And the practical way to
approach any problem seems to be
the spirit of the conference. Men
don't usually act this way in diplo-
macy They did not act this way
in Paris. They backed into every
thing hind end to. Mr.. Wilson, who
| dlstrusted politicians and so in
spired their fear and suspicion. could
lot make the diplomats go at mat
tiers fortnight and earnestly.
Hughes Big Man
Two things have changed them.
First, two years of European chaos,
and second. the American Secretary
of State. Mr.. Hughes.
Here is big man. But his size
Is somewhat the opportunity made
Tor MIN for the American govern
ment, which means the President,
and the American people. Mr..
Hughes is living up to the dimen-
sions of his job. He told a friend
that his chief trouble was in liv-
ing up to his privileges. All day
long he is on the go. His mail lies
on his desk unsigned and a day old.
He is everywhere in the confer
ence-in formal committees. in pri-
vate conferences, at Cabinet meet
ings, at social functions of semi
political nature. meeting reporters.
comforting with the advisory COM
mittee OF citizens which the Presi-
dent has appointed whose ad-
visory powers seem to be the re-
ceiving rather than the giving of
advice, and finally in the midst of
these alarms the Secretary must
meet such delegations and ENJOYS
as may crop in by way of diversion
to change the kaleidoscope map
of the world.
Does His Work Well.
A hard job has this American
foreign minister. Yet he does it
well and keeps sweet. The tre-
mendous impact of the job is ham,
mering him into rather heroic size
rms does not mean that he is GO
ing out to run for President. Moth
ing can beat Harding for the Re
publican nomination so long as
Hughes does his job well. The NOM
NATION would not be worth seek
II by any slip the Secretary should
do 1t badly.
yer mere, under the eyes of the