New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-07-12
Other Nations
Nav Be Asked
ToJoin Parlev
Diplomats Predict Plan
of Conference Ultimate
ly Will Be Expanded
if They Show Interest
Progress Already Made
Belief Exists That Har-
ding Had Understanding
With Britain at Least
By Carter Field

WASHINGTON, July 11.-Conhdence
that every nation invited will partici-
pate in President Harding's proposed
Far Eastern questions was expressed
by Administration spokesmen tonight.
Great Britain already has accepted, it
was intimated, and no doubt is felt here
that Italy, France and Japan will fol-
| low speedily.
| While there is a keen desire on the
part of Administration spokesmen to
avoid the phrase, there is no doubt that
the proposed conference is in effect
President Harding's substitute for the
Wilson league of nations. Acceptance
of his proposal by the big five of the
Versailles treaty, incidentally, is ac-
cepted as going long way in the di-
rection of agreeing to the substitution
League Stripped of Functions
The reaching of an agreement be-
tween the five great powers on disarma-
ment and the reaching of a compro-
mise on all Pacific and Far Eastern
controversies at conference between
all the nations concerned, outside en-
tirely of the elaborate machinery of
the League of Nations as it exists at
Geneva, is regarded as pushing the ex-
lstlng league pretty we'll back on the
shelf. Certainly its chief functions
are being rapidly stripped from it.
Inc proposed conference, it was dis
closed IN official quarters, is to be
much broader in scope than was indi-
Gated by the announcement last night.
In addition to the five great powers. the
Orlp1n9I
China would be invited to come in 80
far as the Pacific and Far Eastern
questions are concerned.
To-day it was stated on the highest
authority that other nations might also
be permitted to participate, if they
would show that they had bona fide
interest in the Pacific and Far Eastern
questions. This idea was widely dis
cussed in official and diplomatic circles
in Washington and most observers are
of the opinion that this conference, or
series of conferences patterned after
this, will be the machinery employed by
the world instead either of the present
League of Nations or any association
of nations more rigidly designed and
circumscribed.
Advisers of the President pointed
out that it will meet every one of the
ideas which he has laid down either
in his campaign speeches or in his in
augura4 address. 1t has not super-gov-
ernment. Its actions cannot bind the
United States. 1t does provide a meet
ing of minds and calm discussion of
controversies which have not yielded,
SO far at least, to diplomatic negotia-
tions of the normal character. This
fact is especially true of the Pacific
and Far Eastern controversies which
are pending between the United States
and Japan.
Understanding Is Suspected
Another point which in official circles
is accepted as beyond doubt is that
some agreement as to the disarmament
phase of the conference has been
eached-certainl SO far as the United
States and Great Britain are concerned
There is not the same certainty as to
the other nations involved, but it is felt
here, in view of certain known facts,
that before publication of the Harding
action was authorized there must have
been some rather definite agreement
between the United States and Great
Britain on the limitation of arma-
ments.
1t has been known, for example, that
President Harding believed it would
be dangerous to have disarmament
conference unless an agreement were
obtained in advance. 1t also has been
Continued on sext name,