Evening star., 1921-01-22
DELAY D|SARM|NG
UNTIL HARDING IS
IN, ROOT SUGGESTS
Thinks New Administration
Should Have Opportunity
to Investigate Issue.
ADVISES CONGRESS NOT
TO MEET NATIONS NOW
Conditions in Eastern Europe Make
Situation Extremely Difficult,
He SAYS.

The question of total or partial dis
j armament should not be discussed by
the United States with other nations
pending change of administrations
March 4, Elihu Root. who helped form
the international court of arbitration
| under the league of nations. declared
in letter to Chairman Butler OF the
House naval committee.
The precise method Of procedure,
Mr.. Root said, ought to be determined
after and not before Mr.. Harding and
his Secretary Of State have had an op-
portunity to inform themselves and
to reach conclusions as to the way
which affords the best prospect of sue
cess.
Mr.. Root declared his strong belief
! that steps should be taken promptly
after the new administration is es-
tablished to bring about general
agreement for disarmament.
Might Create Obstacles.
Writing Chairman Butler under
Il have your letter Of January IA
asking an opinion to aid your COM
mittee in considering an estimate for
additional ships Of war requiring for
their completion the sum Of $l01 49,
900.
Il do not feel like hazarding an
opinion as to what reply other gov
ernments might make to a suggestion
from our government for the appoint
ment of representatives to meet for
the purpose of discussing the ques-
ton Of total or partial disarmament.
Il feel strongly that steps should be
taken promptly after the new admin
n y icn fa hpfn oh
a general agreement on that question.
1t is plainly impra cticable to accom-
plish this before the change of admin
istration. .-
THE precise method Of procedure
through which the attempt should be
made. / think. ought to be deter
mined after and not before Mr.. Hard
ing and his secretary Of State have
had an opportunity to inform them
selves and to reach conclusions as to
the way which affords the best pros
poets OF success. Action on your part.
based upon any opinion which you
can form now al to the best method
of procedure. might prove to be just
the wrong thing, and might create
obstacles to success instead Of helping
1t along. -
A Very Dimcult Subject. Z
'The subject is especially difficult
because Of the disturbed condition of
eastern Europe, and 1t is difficult be-
cause too many nations have special
apprehension of danger. against
which they wish to guard. The new
administration will soon learn what
il the best way to deal with these
difficulties. 1t may be that they can
not all be dealt with in the same
way or by the same process.
Il think this expresses my view
as fully. as I could do IL were to go
to Washington and appear. before
your committee
Mr.. Roots letter was presented to
the naval committee today by Chair
man Butler. who emphasized that it
was not the purpose Of the committee e
In seeking the best judgment Of the
country to make a declaration of its
own on the question of disarmament.
I'VE are simply trying to get the
views Of men like Mr.. Root" said Mr..
Butler. land 1t is not our purpose to
embarrass the present or the incom-
ing administration or attempt to tie
the hands Of President t-elect Hard
ing. We feel that we will accomplish
a good deal II we develop the subject
and bring before the country the best
thought of it's leading men,"
Consideration Of the disarmament
question will be concluded by the
committee next week, after hearing
Gen. Pershing.