Evening star., 1921-07-11
FurEdst Vital in
IT, s. Plan TO
Gut Forces.
AMERICA WILL NOT
RELAX VIGILANCE
Haly;Japan andFrance
Also Expected to
Send Acceptances.

The course of the United States
was definitely set today toward TWO
goals of international importance
limitations Of armament and solution
Of problems involving the Pacific and
the far east.
President Harding. it was revealed
in State Department announce
ment published today. has approach
ed with informal but definite IN
quiries the governments or Great
Britain. France. Italy and Japan to
ascertain whether it would be agree
able to those nations to participate
in a conference to be held in WASH
ington at an agreed upon date for
the discussion of armament nmlta- =
tions. He furthermore has suggested
to the nations interested in the
problems Of the Pacific and far east
that there be undertaken in connec-
ton with the armament conference
the consideration of all matters
bearing upon their solution with
view to reaching common under
standing with respect to principles
and policies in the far east.
Formal Invitations to Follow.
The State Department announce
ment said that if the proposal for
Limitation of armament conference
were found acceptable formal lnvl-
tations for the conference would be
issued. Whether any responses 10
the inquiries directed to the allied and
associated powers have been received
by the President was not Indicated
in the departments announcement.
The statement issued by the State De-
partment follows:
1.-The President. in view of the far
reaching Importance Of the question OF
limitation of armaments, has approached
with informal but definite inquiry the
group of powers heretofore known as
the principal allied and associated pow
ers-that is. Great Brita: n, France. Italy
and Japan-to ascertain whether 1t
would be agreeable to them to take part
in a conference on this subject to be
held in Washington at time to be nu-
tually agreed upon. If the proposal Is
found TO be acceptable. formal invita-
tions for such a conference Will De
issued.
'It is manifest that the question Of
Limitation Of armaments has a close
relation to Pacific and far eastern prob
lens, and the President has suggested
that the powers especially interested in
these problems should undertake in con-
nection with this conference the consid-
Grafton Of all matters bearing upon their
solution with view to reaching a COM
mon understanding with respect to prin-
ciples and policy in the far east. This
has been communicated to the powers
vited to take part in the discussion re-
lating to far eastern problems
The American government. 1t was
indicated today officially, regards in
clusion of discussion of far eastern
problems a = of vital Importance to any
plans for disarmament Without an
adjustment of those problems. 1t was
intimated, disarmament could not well
be considered.
Government officials refrained from
defining the exact scope Of the con-
ference on the far eastern affairs and
from discussing the details OF Its or
ganiza ton. There appeared no dis
position to doubt that the powers
would accept the Presidents invitation
and it was assumed that it would not
be many months before the confer
ence was under way. The date and
personnel, 1t was explained, were
features that could not be determined
until formal acceptances OF the pro-
posal had been made.
Other Views to BE Asked.
Although the disarmament con-
ference suggested was for the fve
allied and associated powers, it wss
indicated that in the consideration of
special subjects in which any other
nation was involved there doubtless
would be no hesitation in seeking
inviting direct participation in the
conference. 1t was explained that in
consideration of the far eastern
question it might we'll be that China
would be invited to confer at least
on certain phases of the problems:
since China's interest there was OF
undoubted importance.
1t was explained that the United
States did not intend to enter con-
ference with any idea of relaxing
her vigilance at any point where
national security might be menaced,
and that full caution would be dis
played in preserving to all nations
the rights to which they are entitled.
Described as "Second STEP"
President Harding's move with re-
gard to Limitation Of armament was
the second step in working out of
his international program, adoption
Of the peace resolution having been
the first Before that resolution was
put through Congress he sent out In
formal "feelers" on the subject of
disarmament. He now has gone
step forward in the development of
Proposals for q conference on world
disarmament were made in Congress
some months ago and resolution by
Senator Borah. republican, Idaho, ask
ing the President to invite Great
Britain and Japan to confer with the
United States on the question of
limiting naval construction has been
made a part of the naval appropria-
tion bill and accepted both by the
Senate and House.
The President. however, apparently
has gone much further than the sug-
gestion in the Borah resolution. His
inquiries have been addressed to
France and Italy as well and there ia
nothing in the State Department an
lnouncement to suggest that the limita-
| tion of armament be confined solely
| to naval construction.
Difference Paid to France.
When the disarmament question wae
discussed in Congress various pro-
posals were made that any conference
on that subject contemplate a reduc-
ton Of armies as well as navies, but
! some senators and representatives
opposed including France and Italy
on the ground that France could not
be expected In the then state of affairs
in Europe to consent to any material
reduction of its land forces.
So far as has been made known,
President Harding offered no objec-
tion to the adoption by Congress OF
the Borah resolution, but some OF
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