The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1921-08-24
WOMEN DEMAND SEAT IN
ARMS CONFERENCE
Appointment OF Lodge As Dele.
gate is Criticised; Borah
Wanted to Represent U. S.

Il
Washington, Aug. 22.-The ques-
ton of open or secret sessions at the
disarmament conference started a
senate debate in which the Democrats
criticized some of the steps taken by
the administration, and Chairman
> Lodge of the foreign relations COM
mittee who has been selected as one
of the American delegates, gave his
colleagues some glimpse of the atti-
tude he intends to adopt in the con-
ference.
The outburst was short-lived but
further debate on the question was
assured, however, by presentation OF
a measure which would instruct the
American delegates to insist that the
conference sit with open doors.
Senator Lodge declared no one
would work more earnestly for dis
armament than he, but that he would
hold to an mistaken conviction that
to insure success there must be "gen-
eral reductions" all along the line.
Lodge Opposes Cuts Now
Later in the day the foreign re-
iations chairman, speaking on
good roads bill. asserted it was false
economy to save money for roads by
taking IL away from the army and
the navy whose reduction, he assert
cd, had been carried too far already,
under existing conditions. Without
specific mention of the disarmament
proposals he reaffirmed his belief that
this country could not now make
further naval establishments without
L.enacing national security.
Women Want Place
While the senate debate was in
progress President Harding listened
to the plea of a group of women polit-
ical leaders that he appoint a woman
on the American delegation and told
them he was confident way would
be found to utilize woman's influence
and intuitions to aid in the success OF
the negotiations.
II was said the president refrained
from specific statement whether
women would sit in the conference.
Those who took the petition to the
I Ia 70 a
tional League of Women Voters, and
. presented a resolution on the subject
adopted at a recent convention OF the
league. Before their interview with
Mr.. Harding the women assailed Rep
resentative Alice Robertson, of Okla
homa, for her declaration that 1t
would be difficult to find woman
qualified to act as a delegate. 1t was
asserted that Miss Robertson could
in no sense be regarded as a Compel
ent spokesman of American Woman
hood.
No names were suggested to the
president by his callers, and when
they were asked afterward what
woman they considered qualified they
; replied by insisting there were SC
many that they preferred to mention
, none specifically.
The senate discussion of disarm-
i, ament subjects was started by Sen
, ator Harrison, Democrat, Mississippi
), when he introduced a proposal to
bind the American delegates to de-
q mand open sessions at the conference
and although it did not come up fol
4 immediate consideration he took the
opportunity to comment on Senator
a Lodges selection as delegate.
a Criticises>LOdge Appointment
The Massachusetts senator, Mr.
: Harrison, declared had done more
than any other person to postpone
disarmament by sponsoring "the res
eryations which killed the League o
Nations" he added that he had hoped
to see Senator Borah, Republican
Idaho, chosen as delegate because
| of his efforts to crystalline disarm
| ament sentiment, but asserted that
| seemed apparent there are forces a
/ work in Washington and through tn
| country for the selection of men VIII
\ do not share the views OF Senate
/ Borah."
l When Senator King, Democrat
| Utah. suggested that some membe
| of the foreign relations committee ex
/ plain why Germany had not been In
| vited to the conference. Senator Har
| rison said he supposed 1t was s'be
| cause the administration has not sci
| tied the question whether we are q
| peace or war with Germany"