New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-09-22
Powers File No
Objections to
Arms Agenda
All Expected to Agree to
Tentative Plans; U. S.
Program Elastic, With
No Bars to Suggestions
Invitation Made Public
Harding Eager to Decide on
Procedure Prior to Par
ley to Prevent Delays


WASHINGTON, Sept. 21.--In Of
ficially announcing the tentative sug-
gestlons as to the agenda for the forth
coming Conference on the Limitation
OF Armament, conveyed recently by
this government to all the powers in
vited to participate in the sessions to
open here November IL, the State De-
partment to-day disclosed that no in
timation has been received that the
American program is unacceptable. On
the contrary, it is believed here that
the subjects suggested by this govern
ment will assist greatly in all the
powers amicably agreeing upon the
agenda in advance of the converting of
the conference.
The official text of the American
program was made public by the de-
partment to clear up the several inac-
curacies that have been found in un-
official statements on the suggestions
advanced by Secretary of State Hughes
to the participating powers. 1t is the
desire of this government that the pro-
gram Of the conference be elastic and
that no bar shall be placed in the way
the invited nations.
Would Settle Program in Advance
II is the view of this government
should be carefully considered in the
formulation of the definite work of the
conference. 1t was made plain to-day
that President Harding's idea in call
ing the conference was for the pur-
pose of bringing together all the ma
tions concerned with reduction of ar
mament, with the heavy financial bur-
dens that large navies and large armies
entail, and that the best solution to
accomplish the ends of the conference
would be accepted by all the powers
in complete agreement. The United
States does not desire to be understood
as holding the suggested agenda su-
perior to any other that might be
preferred, but it is the wish of this
government that definite decision on
the program be made by the powers
prior to the meeting Of the conference.
While limitation of naval armament
is the first item on the agenda, it does
not follow that this subject will be
considered in advance of any other
subject. 1t may very we'll be that sew
eral topics may be in the course Of
study and preparation concurrently,
order of business and take up what
ever subject is deemed most appropri-
ate at the time. The sole object of
this government is to arrange matters
so that there can be no discussion with
out limitation through restrictions i'm
posed in advance. The conference, it
is hoped here, will proceed with the
utmost degree Of practicality, so that
the solutions to be reached may be
agreed upon without the loss of unnec-
essary time.
Under the general heading of Pacific
and Far Eastern questions, the tenta-
tive suggestion as to the agenda speci-
fies Status of existing commitm ents. :"
This was explained to mean that it is
thought desirable to have an exchange
of views by all the powers as to what
may be regarded by them as commit
ments. Similarly, under the question
of inundated islands," the qualifica-
tion is made that the questions in
volved in some particular cases, such
as the Island of Yap, may be definitely
settled prior to the meeting Of the
conference.