The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-08-13
Other Representatives Re- main to Be Chosen, AL
 though Presidents Mind Is
 Known to Be Virtually Made Up
By Associated Press

By Associated Press
 t Washington, August 12.-Any ex- peetation that President Harding will himself sit as a delegate to the disarmament conference was over thrown today by a White House an nouncement that he had definitely designated Secretary Hughes of the state department to head the Amer ican delegation.
 It was said that other members were yet to be chosen, although the President is known to have narrowed considerably the fist of those he con siders available and may reach the point of other definite selections in the very near future. He Is understood to have decided that at least of the places shall go to United States sem ator and the choice of woman as a member of the delegation stlll is within the range Of possibility.
 The exact role to be played by the President never has been officially defined but the general expecta tion that after delivering the opening ad- dress of thes conference of November Il, he will remain in the background of the negotiations, but at the same time keeping in close touch with all the proceedings of the conference.
 VIII Re Mediator
 By this course Mir. Harding will be in a position similar to that of Pres ident Poincare of France when he opened the Versailles conference then retired from actual participation in the proceedings. President Hard ing's close advisors are said tu feel that by keeping away from details ;hat he can reserve his efforts for the more important features and be so placed as to act as mediator for all the delegates In any disa greement that might threaten the success of the conference.
 Not only has the President placed Mir. Hughes at the head of the Ameri- can delegates but he also has turned over to the state department the task of clearing away all the details to be disposed of before the con- ference meet. It is understood that the chief executise intends to super wise only the more important mat ters and has encouraged the depart ment to work out lesser problems on it's own responsibility.
 One of these problems was tackled by the department today when it Of fered its aid to the embassies and legations of the invited nations in securing suitable quarters and other accommodations for the visiting dele gations. Each of the partfcipatants e tfa a,,1 Q lar .f experts. clerks and other attaches with it's committee and the task of providing then, not only a place to live but office space as well may re- quire an extensive survey of -.-ying facilities.
 Much Speculation
 While replies were awaited to the formal invitations dispatched. yester- day speculation in diplomatic circles here foday was concerned chiefly with the scope which may be taken by the conference under the tenns laid down by the invitations. The most lively topic of discussion " / the statement in the text of the sn- vitations that there should be con sideration of matters which have been and are of international con cern."
 In the absence of any interpreta ton by the state department, diplo- matists were not inclined to predict that the American government woul6 seek to- include incidents diplomati- cally closed as among those which might properly come before the con Ierence.A Had the phrase read "have been or are" of international concern instead have been and are" it was pointed out there might be ground to suppose that it was sought to reopc n old controversies.
 At the same time it is conceded d that there may easily be difference or opinions as to what closed incl cents are in which case the confer ence would have to decide whether to take up the subjects in question.