Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-10-31
No Cause for Ofcnsc

IT HOSE friendly governments that were
L purposely excluded from the invitation
list in connection with the disarmament con-
ference need entertain no i'll feeling toward
America or toward the associated and al
lied powers with which the ,,lca for Il con-
ference on the Limitation or the reduction
OF ornaments originated. II is reported
. that more than one of the European and
South American nations has taken offonse
at their omission from the list of govern
ments invited to participate.
At the outset IL was not intended by
those who initiated the disa ornament move
ment to ask any government to be repre-
scented at the conference that did not main
tain more or less burdensomc military or
naval Establishments. 1t was soon discov-
cred. however, that this problem could not
be solved as long as there remained UNI
settled international issues over the Pacific
and the Far East. II was thcreupon agreed
that some settlement OF these questions
should be undertaken, in order to pave the
way for armament limitation.
This very naturally brought China into
the equation. Because the future of China
was in itself one OF the most acute of all,
the Far Eastern problems. il was only
proper and fair that she should have IL
direct voice in a conference involving her
vital interests.
Then it was realized that others OF the
smaller nations likewise have direct and
important interests in the Far East. Bel
Gium, on account Of her heavy investments
III that part OF the world, intimatcd at once
that she should be represented at the Wash
irgtOn conference. Holland, which for CEN
turtles has been n leading colonizer in the
Orient, indicated her cagerness to have Il
voice in the conference. The same is true
OF ] e ugal.
Upon informal consultation the five lead
ing powers agreed that their three friendly
associates were as much entitled to Il place
at the conference table while Far Eastern
problems were being approached as China
might he. and the invitations to these ma
tons accordingly were issued.
1t has been made very clear to the four
minor nations, however. that they are cx-
pectcd to participate only i'm the discussion
over the Far East and the Pacific generally.
They are not expected to take part In the
processes looking to a limitation of exist
ing ornaments or their reduction. For
that reason the plcnipotcntiaries of this
group of governments will be merely guests
at the opening session, it is announced.
They will continue to be guests of the con
ference until their immediate interests are
reached on the agcnda.
If Brazil or Spain or Denmark or Sweden
or Chile had special interests i'm the Far
East, undoubtedly they, too. would have
been invited 10 do more than merely send
observers to the conferences. If any of them
had hecn. Il powerful military nation. il
would have been asked to Join in the gen
cral movement for Il reduction Of arma-
incnts. Because these and other nations
nave no such special interests in the Orient,
ana because they arc not militaristic in any
sense OF the word, it was felt that their
participation would merely tend to prevent
swift and decisive results, a conclusion un-
doubleday based upon sound reasoning. and
there is no reason why any government,
left out should feel aggricvcd over that
fact.