Evening star., 1921-07-12
Lloyd George and
BRAND Likely to
Attend Parley.
DEPUTIES CHEER
PREMIER'S REPLY
Decision Announced
as Note Starts to
u. S. Embassy.


President Harding for q confer
ence on restriction Of armaments
has been favOrably received in
Italian Ohicinl circles, and especinl-
1y by Premier BOnomi and Foreign
Minister Della Torretta. II was in
| dicnted today. This leads to the
belief that Italy undoubtedly
a conference.
| By the Associated Press
| PARIS. July 12-The French gov
ernment will accept with pleasure
and without reserve an invitation to
| conference on the Limitation of
armaments.. This is stated in a letter
! sent to the American embassy here by
the government this morning for
| President Harding.
Premier BRAND later announced
publicly in the chamber of deputies
! that the government would eagerly
accept such an invitation
The premier expressed thanks to
PRESIDENT Harding for his noble in
| itiat''e, while the chamber broke
into = ieers.
Sheldon Whitehouse, counselor of
he American embassy. said this after
noon that the reply of the French
government had been ca bled to Wash
ington during the morning. There
was as yet no indication. he added,
| when the formal invitation would be
presented to France.
Note Sent to L. 8. Embassy.
The attitude of France was official
| ly made known through the foreign
ONCE, in note from NJ. de Peretti
de la Rocca. director of political af-
fairs. stating that France would be
happy to receive an invitation to a
| disarmament conference in Washing
ton. 1t was while the political di-
rectors note was on it's way to the
| of deputies was unanimously ap-
| plauding the announcement by Pre-
| mier BRAND of the cordial attitude
| OF France toward the prospective in
v:tation.
The senate. in its turn, was aroused
to unusual enthusiasm in approval
| of President Harding's idea when
the announcement regarding the
| governments action was made in
| that body.
1t was said at the foreign ofice
| that Premier BRAND probably would
represent France at the proposed
conference. if circumstances permit
| it. and that whoever was sent would
go with the idea of cooperating
| wholeheartedly in any scheme for
disarmament compatible with the Sc
| curity Of France.
No Reservations Made.
The French government makes no
! conference, being willing. il is stated,
! to discuss the Limitation of land as
well as naval armament. always with
| the proviso that ample protection
be assured against any further even-
| tual aggression from the east.
The general impression made upon
France by President Harding's move
! is most favorable. as indicated by
| expressions on all sides. Financial
circles are particularly appreciative.
| in view of the prospect held out of
| great economies in the maintenance
consequent relief of pressure upon
| the treasury.
France" said Premier BRAND. in
! his address to the chamber. replies
| eagerly to the suggestion for a con-
| ference. from which we may hope
| will come the final peace of the
| world"
The whole house broke into pro-
longed applause. NJ. BRAND added:
Il am sure I interpret the senti-
the head Of state who had taken
this noble initiative and who thought
at once of associating our country
| with it. 1t is a homage rendered the
pacific sentiments France has al
| ways shown in the gravest circum-
that the French government accepts
| the invitation eagerly. 1t sees in
| the idea the possibility of accords
| which. as regards the Pacific ocean,
cannot be indifferent to us. because
! of our great interests there. 1t sees.
oil n a "a fy,
| that our country Is attached ardently
| to the cause of peace"
VIII Go Open-NIinded.
In concluding, the premier said:
France will go to the conference
without mental reservations or ul-
terror motives. She will seek every
means to limit ornaments. military
as well as naval, in order to diminish
the frightful charges that weigh upon
guarding, 1t is well understood. our
own national. security. The govern
ment experiences particular pleasure
| in the fact that the conference will be
presided over by President Harding.
Nicholas Murray Butler. president
in the senate today when Premier
BRAND made his announcement of the
French governments willingness to
receive President Harding's invitation
to q disarmament conference. Later
Mr.. Butler talked with many of the
senator's, and this afternoon he had
an appointment to see President Mil
I lerand.< These talks followed similar
ones with Premier Lloyd George at
Cheuuers court during the last week
end, and with Premier BRAND and
other French leaders yesterday.
ME-. Butler said this afternoon II
| seemed to him that both public and
official opinion in! Europe welcomed
President Harding's action with more
Enthusiasm and relief than any event
since the armistice."
There is a very general feeling.
he added, that this conference may
he the beginning of the general con-
| strnctiye policy in International af-
fairs which President Harding has
| been developing.
GREY TO LEAD BRITISH.
Lloyd George Also Expected to At