The New York herald., 1921-11-03
Administrators Patience at
End With Those Who Cry
sDisarm.'
PROPAGANDA is GROWING
President and Sec'y Hughes to
Prevent Embarrassment to
Conference ENJOYS.
Special Despatch to THE NEW YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau
WaehinRtOn ID O. Nov

Special Despatch to THE NEW YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington, ID. c., Nov. 2.
The Administration is beginning to
feel considerable embarrassment be-
cause of increasing propaganda being
spread by individuals and organiza-
tons that want the United States to
enter on a programme of disarma-
ment.
This propaganda Is becoming more
pronounced as the conference on ar
maments approaches. Several organi-
cations are already at work in Wash
ington and there are indications that
by November II Washington will be
flooded with agitators. It is expected
that the early stages of the confer
ence will attract pacifists Of every
stripe intent on obtaining recognition
of their policies
The possibility Of such a thing has
been apparent to officials ever since the
call for the conference was issued. Hints
have been dropped that such activities on
the part Of individuals and organizations
is not desired. These hints have been ac-
cepted in some quarters, but not in
others. 1t is expected that President
Harding and Secretary Hughes soon will
find way to be more outspoken on the
subject. In taking this position It will be
made clear that such propaganda, how
ever well meant, possibly may do more
harm than good to the cause of limiting
ornaments.
1t Is, OF course, the American desire
as indicated many times in public
speeches by those who formulate the ma
tional policy. that armaments will be
limited to an extent which seems safe
and reasonable. At the same time it has
been emphasized often that the United
States must not be led into position of
disarmament on its own account while
other nations are building up their armies
and navies and menacing American se-
curity.
Officials insist that the representatives
Of foreign countries must not get the
idea that the United States is not going
ahead with any programme of disarma-
rnent on Its own account even IL the
IL.
1t will be recalled that soon after
President Harding invited the nations
to participate in discussion in Wash
ington. the popular idea gained ground
that 1t was to be disarmament" con-
ference. The gathering was so referred
to in some newspapers and it was gen.
eral In conversation.
The authorities saw instantly that this
must be corrected. AS a result Secre-
tary Hughes issued formal statement
declaring 1t was improper to refer to
the conference as disarmament" con-
ference. THE NEW York HERALD called
editorial attention to the error. 1t was
explained that the conference was for
the limitation of armaments."
The underlying purpose in correcting
the name was to arrest any popular
idea that might follow that the sessions
were intended to bring about the aban-
donment of the navy and the demobili-
zation Of the army.
Those who have been calling for COM
plete disarmament-and the numbers
are not small--seem to have missed the
point. The fear rests with the officials
tnat unless they are called off, their
propaganda may win for them still
greater following. Sentiment might
grow to such an extent that policy
of complete disarmament might actu-
ally be developed.
Several organizations in Washington
are sending out prepared articles to
correspondents and newspapers on the
subject of the conference. These or
ganizations. whose officers are paclfists,
uvge that the United States as an object
lesson to the world go In for a policy
of disarmament. Hardly day passes
that some such article Is not received.