The Washington times., 1921-07-22

REFUSESTO
CROSS SEA
FOR C0NFAb
Lord Curzon's Plan for Con-
ference Meets Opposition
In America. =
ny WILLIAM l.. MALIAABAR-
- international News Service.


LONDON, July 22.-Marquis Cur
zon, British foreign secretary, has
proposed to the United States ar i'm
mediate conference of the ambassa-
doris of the Pacific powers in London
to work out the preliminary lines Of
a settlement of Far East problems,
it was learned this afternoon. The
proposal was made to George Har-
vey, the American ambassador, at a
conference at the foreign office late
Thursday.
Premier In Conference.
Marquis Curzon informed Ambas-
sador Harvey that Premier Hughes.
OF Australia, insists upon direct Aus
tralian participation in President
Harding's proposed sssnference in
Washington. In view of this demand.
the foreign secretary suggested the
ambassadoriai council, which would
be in session while the British domin-
ion premiefs are meeting here. Mar
quis Curzon's view was that together
the ambassadors and the dominion
premiers could establish the general
lines of a, Pacific settlement.
minion premiers today to discuss
plans for the Washington conference
1t was stated at the foreign office
that no reply has yet been received
to Marquis Curzon's proposal for 4
conference OF ambassadors I'm this city
at once.
A preliminary conference of ambas-
sadors would leave out France and
Italy, as they are not Pacific powers.
Smuts Is Favored.
Many messages have been received
by General SHUTS from South Africa
urging him to go to the United States
before returning home, and IL is
learned also that British officials
have discussed with the South Afri-
can statesman the advisability of a
trip to Washington in the interests
of the British empire. He today
Cancelled his return passage to South
Africa on July 20.
In any event It is certain that
General Smuts will attend. the dis.
he does not go to America before
the autumn.
The International News Service was
assured by reliable authority that
there is no possibility of a prelim-
mary conference in London before
the Washington conference. 1t is un-
derstood that this decision has bean
taken in Difference to the wishes of
the Washington Administration that
there be but one conference for the
discussion of Far East problems first
and later on general limitation of
armaments.
Following the conference between
George Harvey, the American am
bassador and Marquis Curzon. the
foreign secretary, on Thursday even
ing the Manchester Guardian printed
a report today that Washington has
been sounded as to whether Pres
ident Harding would come to London
for a preliminary pacific conference.
Is Serious Proposal.
According to the Manchester
Guardian, the suggestion for a pre-
liminary conference was not a casual
idea but a serious proposal strongly
supported, However. the Manchester
Guardian admitted that Il was i'm
probable that a preliminary meeting
would be held, In view OF the strong
opposition in Washington. An !n-
vitation TO America to send delegates
here for preliminary meeting
would be almost counter proposal
to President Harding's invitation to
a conference In Washington.
The dominion premiers are In ao-
cord with tbs Washington vssw that