The New York herald., 1921-11-13


New York Herald Bureau.
Washington, u. c.. Nov. IL.
When Mr.. Hughes, as president OF
The Conference on Limitation of Arma-
ments, announced the proposals that
the United States was prepared to
mako to reduce the naval strength OF
The United States, Great Britain and
Japan he literally swept his audience
10 Its feet.
IT was so astounding, so amazing, so
utterly undiplomatic, according 70 the
canons Of European diplomacy, that
the plenipotentiaries sitting about the
U shaped table in the body of thu hall,
their secretaries and advisers a few
feet behind, and parallel with them,
we're no more startled than the occu-
pants OF the galleries. which included
virtually the entire membership Of
both houses OF Congress, the Cabinet,
the Supreme Court and those members
Of the diplomatic corps whose coun-
tries are not participants in the con-
ference.
Since Mr.. Wilson invented the phrase
open diplomacy openly arrived att IL
has been sneered at and regarded as a
phrase merely. but this is open diplo-
macy so far beyond what any one had
expected that it astonished even the
most extreme advocates OF everything
being done in the sight OF the public.
Precedent Is Established.
In all the long series OF conferences
lion publicly announced its programme
With such utter frankness. Mr.. Hughes
had carefully guarded his plans and his
announcement was a complete surprise.
There were perhaps 1900 persons in
the hall. Not more than score, GER
tainly not more than twoscore in all,
had received the slightest inisling Of the
nature OF Mr.. Hughes's address, al
though In my last despatch 1 had fore
shadc-ved It and said that instead OF In
tlulging IN vague generalities tho Secre-
tary would IN clear and direct words
state the policy OF tho United States and
make 1t so Enthusiastically plain that any
further Misunderstanding would DO i'm
possible.
0tTJblHiy lnSIS IS now no longer any
cause for misunderstanding. II was In
teresting to watch the plenipotentiaries
as Mr.. Hughes. in defiance of all diplo-
matte tradition. carefully and somewhat
deliberately placed card after card upon
the table, face up for the whole world to
read.
Mr.. Hughes is not magnetic speaker
his manner is that of the American law
yer. which is very different from that OF
IN English barrister and In marked con-
trast to that of Mr.. Balfour. who pre-
ceded him. But Mr.. Hughes did not re-
quire the advendtious gifts of oratory
10 command the undivided attention OF
his audience.
The Japanese delegates were not in
the secret, they frankly admitted later
ln1passive as ever, they still betrayed
their surprise.
The French delegates, NJ. BRAND es-
pecially, appeared nervous az II wonder
Eng whether Mr.. Hughes would be equally
frank in discussing land arTnanents, but
Mr.. Hughes did not discuss that eubject.
Perhaps he has another surprise coming.
specuIates on the Reaction.
What is th reactlon---American. Brit
fsh, Japanese--to Mr.. Hughes's declara-
sion OF policy? The American reaction
we were able TO see and scei Immediately.
and It was unmistskable. Those men
and women sitting IA the galleries, the
800 men in the press section. showed by
their applause, their enthusiasm, their
fervor. that Mr.. Hughes had said what
they all felt, and what Washington is
saying to-day tho whole country will say
Tomorrow; but beyond tomorrow do
not go.
To-day Mr.. Hughes Is the man OF the
hour. and is loudly acclaimed. but sec
N1aa he VA aunr 1oh nv
pected. Already we see signs that the
Hearst press Is barring It's fangs. 1t de-
clares disbelief In disarmament, antc-
pntes the failure of the conference and
urges America to 80 it's own way, deal
ing Just and magnanimously with all
! peoples, but watchful, ready and armed
/ against any possible attack.
A certain opposition naturally may be
expected from shipbullders and arna-
Ynents manufacturers and from workers
threatened with loss OF employment, but
the coun /, - approve and back the
Administratr'- 81 tho limit
Usually the country is ahead of Con-
gress. Whether there VIII DC opposition
in Congress is TO he determined later but
Congress, the Republican members espe-
cially. know that what Mr.. Hughes adj
vocates is popular. and IL tho programme
goes through It may save their ma
tcrity, now unpopular, from defeat at
the election next year.
No less astonishing than Mr. Ifughess
open diplomacy Is the surprising frank
,iess of our own people and the Japa-
nese. 1t might reasonably havo been
expected that tho japanese would hide
behind their customary reuoence and
only cautio Jsly express u.enseiN . af-
ter mature consideration, instead OF
which Admiral kato announced this af-
tsrnoon on behalf Of his delegation that
the American proposals were absolutely
acceptable TO his Government as basis
for discussion. His experts had not yet
had time to subject the proposals 20
technical examination. but In principle
no objection could be found to them.
I may so even further than that and
make the positive statement that the
Japanese VIII accept There may be
details aud minor questions 10 arrange
hut Japan 10 ready to 20 a5 far az the
United states cares TO lead.
Our delegation h9s made no formal