The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1921-10-07
ADDITIONAL Nations
ATTEND Conference
But Will Not Have Voice In
Question Of Arms
Limitations.

tional nations-Belgium. Holland and
Portugal--were invited By the Unit
ed States government today to parti-
cipate in the discussion Of Pacific and
Far Eastern questions in connection
with the armament conference. AL
most coincidently 1t was made known
by high administration officials that
the United States does not anticipate
consideration of inter-allied debts at
/ the conference.
The formal invitations to the three
additional nations were forwarded
late in the day to the respective capt.
tolls and were extended after CORES
pondence between Secretary Hughes.
acting fer President Harding. and
the four principal powers originally
invited to send representatives to the
conference. The important interests
of each of the three nations in the
Far East led to the extension Of the
invitations.
China was invited to participate in
the Pacific and Far Eastern discus
sions when the first Invitations were
issued, and acceptance by Belgium.
Holland and Portugal, which is res
garded here as assured, will mean
that nine nations will sit together
when such discussions are entered iu-
to. The question of armament limi-
t2tlon, however, will be discussed only
+ b. the five major powers. .,
Debts Not Considered.
The attitude of the administration
with relation to discussion of the IN
terallied debts was developed in con-
rection with recently-publishad sug-
gestions in London that the British
would welcome consideration of loan
matters at the Washington meeting.
| Officials here were represented as
taking the view that the conference
should be limited to matters which
might involve differences Of nature
likely to lead to armed conflict. The
question of inter-allied debts is not
considered by officials here In that
category.
The further statement was made
that the American delegation at the
Forthcoming conference. lacking con-
gressional authority, could not agree
to such consideration of the debt
question. even if it was desired that
it should be undertaken. The admin
istration's desire that debtfundips
legislation be enacted in advance Of
the conference, it was said. was bas-
ed on practical matters and not on
anxiety Jhat the debt question might
arise 10 disturb harmony among the
conferees.
The invitations to the thre' adj
ditional nations were accompanied by
the tentative suggestions as to the
conference program Insofar as T. re-
lates to Pacific and Far Eastern ques-
tons. nd were i!",.r.caj-ig languegc
That sent to Belgium reads as fol-
lows:
Message To Belgium.
THE invitation Of the President Of
the United States TO the governments
of France. Great Britain, Italy and
Japan to send representatives to
conference to be held in the city of
Washington on November II. 1921,
on the subject of limitation Of a-ua-
ments. in connection with which
Pacific and Far Eastern questions
will be discussed, has been gracious
ly accepted. The government of
China has also been pleased to ac-
cept the Presidents invitation to par
ticlpate in the discussion Of Pacific
and Far Eastern questions.
at is the earnest Wish OF thie, gov
eminent that with the facilities att
forded by conference it may be pos
sible TO find 2 solution OF Pacific and
Far Eastern problems, by a practical
effort TO reach such common under ~
standings With respect TO matters,
which have been and are of inter.
national copcsyn as may serve to pro-
mote enduring friendship.
IN view Of tho .ntsrest Of Belgium
in the Far East the President de-
sires 20 invite Your EXcelsnc.'s gov
eminent to participate in the discuss
sion Of Pacific and Far Eastern ques-
tions ~ the conference, and I have
the honor TO enclose here with the
tentative suggestions as 70 the egardl
Of the conference relating 20 Pacific
and Far Eastern questions. proposed
by the government of the United
States"