New-York tribune., 1921-10-25
Europe Builds
High Hopes ON
Arms Council
Previous Attitude of Skep-
ticism Gives Way to an
Earnest Expectation Of
Really Practical Program
Interest Centers i'm East
Looks TO America 70 Lead
i'll Devising Plan 10 In
sure Peace i'm tho Pacific
BY Arthur S. Draper
From The Trtbuno's Dmropean Burcnr

.opyiiEHt, I3El, New ork Tribune Inc.
LONDON, Oct. 24.---Public opinion in
Europe has swung in the last two
months from an attitude of indifference
and skepticism toward the coming Con-
ference on the Limitation of Armament
to the point where it now demands that
the conference produce concrete re-
suits. o.
Not only has Europe come recently
to consider President Hardng's enter.
prise toward stability as of profound
Importance TO the peace of the world
but it is beginning to show bit of
optimism toward the possibility of &C
complishing practical results
For a time the feeling existed that
the gathering at Washington would re-
solve itself into ar exchange of polite
generalizations, and that the delegates
would part without having handled al J
fundamental problems.
., People Expect Results
SO much has been said and. written
recently concerning the November con
ference, however, that tho public has
had opportunity to form definite ideas
and to. expect It's representatives to
make progress toway i fulfilling its
hopes.
As long as the chief problem seemed
to be the limitation of naval arma-
nent and Americas substitute for tbs
League of Nations there WAS no great
interest here in the conference. Then
came period in which hopes for a
o,.ot Hat. l. ,-,1~
edness ran high. Those periods have
passed and now Europe is looking for
a general show down in the Far East
If some definite agreements regard
ing the situation in the Pacific are not
reached at Washington, Europe will be
greatly disappointed. 1t comes as q
shock to hear, only three years after a
war was fought to end all war, there
should be suggestions Of fight among
the nations that we're banded to defeat
Germany.
Failure Held Calamity
Some newspapers already arc assert
ing that the failure of the Washington
conference would be catastrophe of
colossal proportions. They believe that
the relations among nations will be
put under severe strain at Washington,
and that if they survive the test peace
will be assured for long time to come,
1t is plainly to be seen that Eu-
rope thinks the initiative rests with
America SO far as most of the uues-
tions are concerned. Although Great
Britain, France and Italy desire the CO.
operation and good will of America
they all have their own national inter-
ests, and in some cases these will bulk
exceedingly large.
The speech of Premier SHUTS of
South Africa, in which he said that
an important point when they decided
to send delegates to Washington with
out direct invitations from President
Harding, has been published promi-
nently here, for it illustrates the ex-
tent of the nationalistic spirit, even
within the British Empire.
Prcmier's Participation Urged
Representatives of all political par
ties are urging Premier Lloyd George
to leave in time for The opening ses-
at Washington as infinitely more i'm
portant than that of any other Briton.
The Premier is still hopeful of getting
away on the next trip of the Aqutania.
His physicians have ordered him to
conserve his energies and to refrain
from making any more public speeches
unless they are absolutely necessary.
There is some criticism in the press
of the personnel Of the delegation, but
there is only praise for the permanent
officials who represent the various de-
partments. The Foreign Office officials
are particularly strong body of men.
In the corridors of the Foreign Office
to-day there were dozens of large boxes
an h, 1,1a 1fT1
Delegation, Washington
a host of prominent journalists will
represent British newspapers at the
conference, among them Colonel Rep
ington, of "The Daily Telegraph; T.
Wickham Steed, of "The Tines: VIII
son Harris, of "Thc Daily News" and
Sidebotham, of "The Daily Chronicle" !"