The New York herald., 1921-11-14

1 AbOE1 NIL
American suggestion from every angle
in. determining the effect OF II upon
their respective interests. II has been
many a long day since the cables have
been go heavily burdened as they were
today. and will be for he next week, IN
transmitting the voluminous reports OF
delegates and ambassadors, diplomatic
interpretations and technical opinions
Guarded statements made by the ex-
perts OF most OF the foreign countries,
confirm the impression prevailing here
at the capital that Mr.. Hughes, Mr
Root, Senators Lodge and Underwood
prepared their case in no haphazarc
manner. The clever minds of some OF
the foreign governments which are un-
doubtedly seeking flaws in the Amerl-
can plan. will find it difficult to dis
cover any that viii effect the logic and
practicability of it.
Secretary Hughes's Work.
Secretary Hughe. began writing the
brief he nled with the representatives
OF the foreign Governments yesterday a
month ago lie was assisted by most
capable legal. diplomatic and technical
advisers in the employ of the Goverti-
ment in assembling, comparing and
checking no Of every fact and figure re-
lating TO the dlnIomaic, economic. naval
and military status of every nation in
vited to the conference.
1t was learned to-day that Secretary
Hughes prepared in May last an outline
OF the plan he had in mind for iInprov-
ing the international situation. due to
the anomalous condition provoked b~
the rejection OF the League of Nations
project
The Secretary is credited with having
reached the conclusion that the best way
to bring about an international under
standing was by singing out the funda-
mental cause for the decentralization
that existed in world affairs. He is
credited with . further belief that by
bringing about the limitation OF arna-
ments all of the intricate machinery set
up by the League of Nations project
would be rendered unnecessary and use
less.
In thI opinion the Secretary was sup
ported by President Harding, Senator
Lodge and Elihu Root With this as tho
base OF operations President Harding
communicated to the world his purpose
TO convene the conference which met
yesterday and sent invitations to those
Governments most directly concerned.
Far Eastern Situation.
It was recognized at the outset that
the chances of success in procuring the
consent OF Great Britain, France, Italy
and Japan to the elimination of competi-
tion In the matter OF armaments hinged
directly upon the unsettled conditions
in Far Eastern affairs, and that with the
adjustment of them on a basis mutually
satisfactory to the nations holding real
estate or having trade ambitions in that
part of the world the reduction Of arma-
ments could be brought about.
Every fact and figure relating to the
legitimate needs of each country of the
world in the line of defence was assem-
bled. the proper allowances made for
special requirements In this respect, and
the Secretary set about preparing his
br.e.. with the result that was even more
startling than anticipated by himself and
those associates who assisted him.
The nearest approach TO any criti-
cisms among members OF Congress and
reaching Washington through other
agencies is that the United States may.
have been too generous in preparing its
plan for the limitation Of armaments.
The Presiden: and his advisers believe,
howevef.' that the concessions made by
the Uni.od States constitute the strong
est argument IN its favor Officials who
reflect the Executive view assert that
the Al, erican pan VIII make a more di-
rec, appeal to other nations because the
United Stasa has not asked Great Brit
ain and Japai. 20 make sacrifices as
great els she herself p, opposes to make.