Evening star., 1921-10-25
POSTPONE OPENING
Of ARMS PARLEY
Conference Now Expected to
Begin on Day After Events
of Armistice Day. .

Present Indications are, although
no official decision has yet been
reached, that for practical reasons
the initial meeting of the arms limi-
tation and far eastern conference may
be held the day following Armistice
day. 1t is found that the program
for the observance Of Armisfice day.
in memory OF the unknown dead of
the late war. in which delegates to
the conference will participate will
OCCUPY nearly the entire day. events
commencing as early as $3.50 o'clock
in the morNing and continuing until
late hour in the afternoon.
1t is held that the sentiment Of the
occasion will be preserved in the call
ing Of the conference for November
II. and that the actual opening could
be postponed twenty y-four hours with
out detracting from the sentimental
effect. 1t was intended, anyhow,
originally to have the conference ad-
journ Immediately upon meeting. to
enable every one to take part in the
solemn ceremonies in honor of the
dead. -
United states DELEGATES See President
The American delegates will meet
again next Monday and resume con-
sideration OF subjects taken up yes
terday and discussed again last night
when the delegates dined. with the
President. Officials refrain from COM
menting upon the details Of the dis
MI frh Tn1e
and last evening. but 1t is known in
a general way that the most impor-
tant subject under consideration was
the American program for Limitation
or reduction Of naval armaments
The presence at the meeting of the
the Navy DENLY. Assistant Secretary
Roosevelt, Admiral Coontz, chief Of
naval operations. and Capt W. b.
Pratt Of the general board led to the
assumption that these officials may be
chosen as members of the advisory
council which President Harding has
announced he will appoint to assist
the American delegation to the con-
ference.
Navy Problem BaAing.
1t is not denied in official circles
that the adoption Of a policy for lin
itation of naval armament is one of
fronting the American delegates. This
is said to he shown in the fact that
the American group at their meetings
have placed this question first among
subjects to be considered.
1t is also number one in the text of
this government has submitted to
other nations and which has been
tacitbly accepted. In the agenda the
subject is divided into three subdivi-
sions. entitled, Basis Of Limitation"
Extent Of Limitation" and 'Fulfii-
the terms for carrying out the limi-
tation and reduction agreed upon.
The big problem to be tackled first
is the basis of limitation, and it is
assumed that the United States will
be expected to make the opening sug-
gestion in this respect Just for the
moment, limitation Of land armaments
is giving little or no concern to the
American delegates, mainly from the
fact that America is already stripped
to the minimum In this regard.
Land Arms Secondary.
In the agenda land armaments are
secondary to the subject Of con-
trolling new agencies Of warfare.
+. There was discussion in official
quarters today of the suggestion
which has been renewed recently Of
the possibility OF the arms CONFER
ence taking up the question of for
eign debts. The sentiment unof-
flcially expressed today was decided
ly unfavorable to any such contin-
gency.
It was pointed out in today's Of
fetal talk that several considerations
seem to preclude the Likelihood Of
the conference considering the fund
ing of the foreign debts. Attention
was called, to the fact that 1t was
not included in the agenda and. while
this does not of necessity act as a
bar to its being presented by some
one, it. liz further notable that the
makeup Of the delegations. to the
conference does not show the pres
ence therein OF financial experts.
No Action Anticipated.
+. This is construed to mean that the
other powers do not expect the sub
iect to be broached in the conference,
or they would have included with
their delegates some Of their great
financiers or oficials in touch with
their national financial affairs. More
over, it was pointed out today. there
is no legislative authority in this
country yet for the handling OF tho
foreign, debts, and any such author
ity when granted would impose the
terms which would: be binding upon
deleRateR.