The New York herald., 1921-12-06
PARLEY is DODGING
VERSAILLES ERRORS
Steed Applauds Delibera-
tiOn That Will Evade
Friction Later.
GUESSWORK is CUT OUT
Says Acute Minds Like That
of Roots Will Close All
Gaps for Quibbling.
HOPEFUL TOWARD TOXIC
Believes Japan, Which Could
Have Wrecked Conference
Before, Won't Do So Now.
BY wICKHAM sTEED,
Editor of the London Times.

Editor of the London Times.
Copyright, 1921. ty United Netos.)
WASHINGTON. Dec. 5.--While Mr.. Pal
four is speaking at New York and the
Japanese Government is deciding
whether or not to sanction the pro-
visional arrangements made by the
Japanese delegation much prosaic but
important work is being quietly done
here in drafting the texts of the vari
Gus agreements and declarations that
will, if all goes well, embody the re-
quits of the conference. The impa-
tience shown by some delegates at
what they appear to regard as uawar-
rantabIe delay has therefore no real
justification. None of the work of an
international conference is more
weighty or less SNOWY than the ac-
curate drafting of its decisions. The
atmosphere of such a gathering
passes, the memory of discussions
fades, but texts remain.
As the imperfections of the Versailles
treaty prove, hasty drafting may cause
ciOiSSS liiStiOii WhCh ehO CAdSe iiiSoii-
lag of loosely worded clauses has SUBJ
sequently 10 be diviined under the
stress of circumstances. Time spent
on the essential business of making the
conference say exactly what it intended
10 say, no more and no less, is time
we'll spent, especially when minds as
acute as that of Mr.. Root are en-
gagged on the work.
The American public at large cannot
be expected to take passionate in
terest in these meticulous operations.
II is, however. so reasonable in its
bearing toward the conference that it
may be trusted not to lose patience
unless the announcement of results is
unduly postponed.
Specializing on Toklo's. stand.
Speculation whether the Japanese
Government will say "yes" at once, or
whether it wills procrastinate. is already
lively among the delegates and out
side. Harmless though it be. inasmuch
as it is unlikely to affect the decision
of Toxic such exercise of the wits Is
futile.
If Japan wanted to wreck the con-
ference she could have done so ere
this. Consideration of all the essential
not want 20 wreck it. but to emerge
from it with as much prestige as pos
sible. The tactics of the Japanese dele
cation last week did not enhance the
excellent reputation 1t had previously
earned. The Toxic Government probably
understands that useless delay at this
stage might cause an irritation which
Japan can naye no interest to set up.
In estimating the probabilities of a
OF Ainp ~ ic rpxyiSa IN 90 In
shortsghtedness in any direction. At
the conference table the Japanese dele
gates are surrounded by representatives
of the countries that are Japan's best
customers. countries whose economic
good will is indispensable to Japanese
prosperity. Therefore, quite apart from
the obvious sincerity Of important Sec
tons of Japanese opinion which favor
the cause that the conference repre-
sents, there Is no reason to assume
that the Japanese Government will
withhold or will seriously delay assent
TO the decisions Professionally taken at
Washington.
As the work OF the conference ap-
proaches its climax. the value of the
initial momentum impaired to it by Mr..
Iiughes's opening statement is more
fully appreciated The powerful inter
ests that must be affected by the lmita-
have taken advantage of a slow begin
ming. or OF protracted discussions. to or
panize resistance.
While the attitude of the largest
American steel magnates has been in
every respect admirable, It. would be
asking too much of human nature to ex-
pect all armament firms in all countries
10 welcome the prospect OF diminution
OF their dividends Moreover the issues
ut stake in the Washington conference
were greater than even some Govern
fnents perceived. The failure OF the
American effort to limit naval arma-
ments would have been tantamount to
the bankruptcy of international en-
deavor to strengthen the, sense OF Sc
curity among civilized peoples. The SAC
cess of the American initiative, on the
other hand must encourage further at
tempts to solve hard problems by iitar-
national gatherings. convened for pre-
else objects and of presumably short
duration because working vigorously
from the outset.
Some of the shrewdest American
minds connected with the conference
are. and have been from the beginning.
convinced that IL alone stood between
the world and the precipitation Of an
economic catastrophe. However small
tine immediate financial saving may ap-
pear when the prospective reductions of
outlay on naval armaments are summed
UP In the light OF the decisions OF the
conference. II should not be forgotten
that these reductions are only a germ
from which much greater things may
grow in more directions than visioniess
folk are yet able even dimly o per-
ceive.