The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-07-11
Allied Nations Willing to Con-
vene Over Disarmament.
Great Britain and Italy Have
Sent Assurances.
FRANCE WILL Be The NEXT
Japan and China Needed to In
sure Success.
Many Other Questions Must Be
Considered Also.


Harding's inquiry among the world
powers as to whether they will con-
slider coming to Washington and dis
cussing limitation of armament and
the settlement of affairs in the Far
East. was hailed today as the greatest
single step that has been taken in the
direction of international peace since
the conference at Versailles failed to
establish it.
If the powers-Great Britain.
France. Italy and Japanese fit to
accept the American investigation, 1t
is likely that the coming autumn or
winter will see a peace conference held
in Washington which will seek to ac-
complish what the Paris conference
failed to bring about-a clear under
standing among the great nations of
of "the next war"
It was accepted as a fact in Wash
ington that at least two of the powers
concerned-Great Britain and Italy
have already assured the United States
of their willingness to engage in such
a conference as the president has pro-
posed
Settle Many Questions.
Fully as important as the armament
conference itself would be the discus
sion of Far Eastern problems between
the United States. Great Britain. Japan
and China, which the president sug-
gested as a necessary accompaniment
of such a meeting.
It is assumed here that if held. the
conference to undertake to settle the
whole array of complicated and vexing
problems of the Pacific and the Far
East, including Shantung and Korea.
the "open door" in China, the Yap dis
pute, japanese activities in Siberia and
the actions of both Japan and Great
Britain in fortifying islands of the Pa
cific. This would constitute a monu
mental undertaking in itself
/ Franco VIII Accept.
! Paris. July 11.-France undoubted-
/ ly will welcome an international con-
/ ference providing for disarmament,
such as proposed by President Hard
/ ing, it was stated in semi official cir
| cles today Officials pointed out.
however. that France may make res
ervations regarding discussion of Far
Eastern and Pacific ocean issues.
! The foreign office early this after
noon had not yet received the official
j text of President Rarding's note. pro-
/ posing a conference of the powers for
t discussion of disarmament and Far
/ East problems.
| 1t was declared in responsible cir
cles that while France would discuss
limitation of navies, she could not
/ consider land disarmament unless the
/ United States arbitrates and signs the
! Clemenceau pact agreeing to aid
France with her full strength in the
event France Is attacked. While all
expressions of opinion today were en-
tirely unofficial, they were accepted
as indicating the trend of the govern
ment's inclinatfons.
q. S. Has Two Goals.
! Washington, July 1.-THE course of
the United States was definitely set to-
day at two goals of international i'm
portance: limitation of ornaments and
/ solution of problems involving the Pa
cific and the Far East.
/ President Harding. it was revealed
in a state department announcement
published today, has approached with
informal but definite inquiries the
governments of Great Britain, France
Italy and Japan to ascertain whether
it would be agreeable to these nations
to participate in a conference to be
ment limitation.
He Furthermore has suggested tc
the nations interested in the problem:
of the Pacific and Far East. that there
be undertaken in connection with the
armament conference "the considera.
ton of all matters bearing upon their
solution with a view 70 reaching 6
common understanding with respect
to principles and policies in the fal
east
The state department announce.
ment said that if the proposal for z
limitation of armament conference
were found acceptable formal invita-
tions for the conference would be Is
sued.
) Great popular interest was at
tached to the statement announced
today by Mr.. Lloyd George. the Brit
ish premier, which London advice.
have indicated would touch upon thu
matters initiated by Mr. Harding.