The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-07-13
BRITISH ASK FOR
SPECIAL PARLEY
Make Overtures Toward Set
Ting Pacific Problem in London
Indicated France To Be Left
Out of Consideration.
WON'T CONSIDER ASSOCIATION
President Harding Has No
Plans for New League.
Disarmament Real Object OF
Coming Conference.
WON'T CONSIDER ASSOCIATION

Washington, July 13.-The United
States government has been ap-
preached by Great Britain to deter
mine whether this government would
consent to join in conference to be
held in London to discuss the question
of world policy in the Pacific, as
preliminary to the disarmament con-
ference in Washington proposed by
the president, it was learned author
itatively today.
Secretary of State Hughes has dis
cussed the matter with the president.
but there has been no intinatiop OF
the attitude Of this government.
Dominion Premiers Urge.
British leaders have conferred with
Ambassador Harvey in London rela-
tive to the proposed preliminary con-
ference and the ambassador has been
asked to communicate the views of
the British leaders to his government.
Pressure from the dominion pre-
rniers, now in session in London, for
some advancement towards a settle
ment of the Pacific problem, is under
stood to be behind the movements for
the preliminary parley.
The dominion premiers, it is under
stood, do not feel it would be politics
for them to return to their home gov
ernments without being able to report
progress on the matter of Pacific az
fairs, neither do they feel they can
await the action Of the conference
which has been proposed by President
Harding.
Won't Boost Nations Association.
Interest in President Harding's pro-
posed disa rmament conference CEN
tered today in the allied reaction to
official intimations here that the con-
ference might lead to the establish
ment of an association of nations
Altho it is established in official
circles hare the administration would
be very happy If the association OF
nations should be born out of the dis
armament conference. it was rather
plainly Indicated that this proposal
will not be thrust upon the allies as
one of the tasks of the proposed par
ley, altho it may be an outgroWth.
Keep Farley Small.
Administration leaders today were
confronted with the problem of paci-
flying nations which have not been in
vited to the conference. but it was in
dicated the president will not consider
enlargement of the conference at this
time, holding that too large represen-
tation would confuse the work and
delay it.
Suggestions made by the British
dominion premiers that preliminary
conference be held, at which the ques-
Ntions of the Pacific and the Far East
be discussed, did not meet with favor
here.
Administration leaders were of the
opinion that the dominion premiers,
while having a right to a voice in the
proposed conference, should express
their views thru the British represen-
tative and the solidification of the
views of Great Britain and her do
minions is a matter which should be
worked out in the dominion confer
ences now going on.
There was no indication here today
that the president might extend his
invitation to other nations. and while
it was announced that the proposed
conference would not interfere with
the course of the administration in
proceeding to make formal peace with
Germany, there was no intimation
that Germany might be invited into
the parley, after peace has been es-
tablished.
Three Nations Have Accepted
London. July 13.-Three of the prin-
cipal allied nations, Great Britain,
France and Italy, have officially signi-
fled their acceptance of President
Harding's invitation to hold a confer
ence on limitation of armaments, while
China has indicated her readiness to
pSIlAClpdlS III a TelaIlNe 10
Far Eastern affairs.
Ja pan is the only one of the allies
which has not placed herself on record
as being ready to take part in the
Washington conference. but it is ex-
pected in official circles here that her
acceptance will be communicated to
the United States government soon.
In government circles in this city
It appears to be the consensus of opin-
ion that the meeting at Washington
will be attended by some of the most
prominent statesmen of the world. The
announcement of Premier BRAND of
France that he would consider going
to Washington, followed indications
that Prime Minister Lloyd George
might also go, provided conditions in
Great Britain are such as to permit
his extended absence from tie country.
1t is probable, however, that some
of the leading figures in British Off
cial life will be present. Among those
mentioned as delegates are A. J. Bal
four, lord president of the council
Lord Lee of Fareham, first lord of the
admiralty; Sir Laming Worthington
Evanzi, secretary of state for war; Ad-
miral Lord Beatty and Viscount Grey.
Advices from Paris state that the
commission for reduction of arma-
ments appointed by the League of Ma
tions will probably hold only a brief
session in that city on Saturday Rene
Viviani, president of the commission.
is understood to favor an immedia te
adjournment. altho such action would
be upon the initiative of the council
of the league. 1t seems probable,
however, that President Harding's pro-
posal for a conference on steps toward
disarmament will be the feature of
Saturdays meeting.
BombsheII for France.
Paris July 13-Premier Lloyd
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