New-York tribune., 1921-03-24
he Is Empowered to Act
as 9 Commissioners and
Discuss With Harding
Plans for World Court
Action Expected
OF Other. Powers.
on Way From
France; Italy and Japan
May Be Represented
BY. Carter ! Field

".AsAAA4Su ~. " iON,N March 23-The
nrltlsh government has empowered Sir
Auckland Geddes, the British Amba I
sador here, to act as its commissioners
IN discussing with President Harding
plans for new association of nations.
1t was learned to-day on unquestioned j
authority. The British government
has sent word that it will send -
Washington to assist Sir Auckland anv
experts he may desire. These will ad-
wise him on such technical questions
as may arise.
With the arrival Of Rene vi
viani: former Premier of France. who
is now on the Atlantic on his way here
as q special commissioner to President
Harding, the three. most important
powers three that will unouea-
tionably dominate any decision which
may be reached as to the formation of
q. new association of nations, or the
revapfping of the present league along
such lines that the United States will
be able to join-will all be represented
here.
This means that discussions looking
to the consummation of President
Harding's plans for an association Of
nations will be begun by the three
principal powers many months prior to
the most sanguine hopes Of those who
had most confidence in the idea. The
knowledge that the discussions are SO
Gloss ct hand came as a much greater
surprise to those who had thought that
1T was mere shadowy idea, evolved
chiefly for campaign purposes, and inn
possible of actual attainment.
Japan and Italy Expected to Act
1t was confidently predicted here to-
night that without much DELAY the
Italian and japanese governments will
hurry eclal representatives here so
that they may Join in tha discussions
and have voice in shaping the deci-
sions, or else take the speedier method
already applied by the British govern
llient, and authorize their ambassadors
here to act rs their special commits
sioners.
The Italian Ambassador, Count Ricci,
has arrived in Washington from Italy
SO recently that he has not yet pre-
-sented his credentials to the President.
Therefore, it is pointed out, he has
OSCI SUa ASESutly III CuullQcuL1dl us
cussions with the Italian Foreign Of
flee, which long since was. fully ad-
vised as to President Harding's ideas
about new association Of nations as
expressed in his campaign speeches,
that it would seem very natural thing
for him to be named as special COM
missioner without delay.
This would mean that four of the
five principal powers would have rep
resentatives in Washington authorized
ito enter the discussions within the
next week.
The course suggested for the Italian
government is practically that fol-
lowed by the British government in
deciding to have Sir Auckland Geddes
represent it. The Ambassador has been
back from England only few weeks,
and while there went over the whole
situation with Lloyd George and other
British leaders. He knows how far the
British government is willing to 60,
that information being obtained after
he had laid before the British Foreign
Office his impressions as to just what
the American government would be
willing and able to do along the lines
of the proposed association.
+ Cabinet Takes Up Foreign Situation
In connection with all this it is in
teresting to note that President Har-
ding's Cabinet took up so speedily the
foreign situation. At yesterdays meet
ing Secretary of State Hughes, as was
reported this morning, gave a summary
of all the international problems con-
fronting this country. 1t may be said
that no definite plan for an associa-
stion has been laid before the Cabinet
either by President Harding or by Sec
retary Hughes. Mr.. Harding has time
and again made clear, however, the
limitations which he will insist upon.
These limitations are clearly under
CONTINUED on next paes)