The New York herald., 1921-05-27

| Special Cable to THE New YORK HERALD.
| Copyright, 1921, by THE New YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
London, May 20.
An official invitation from the United
States to Great Britain to participate
in a conference on naval disarmament
will be enthusiastically welcomed here,
On both sides of Downing street.-the
Foreign Office and the Prime Min
ister's house-the greatest interest was
shown to-day In the Senate's adoption
of Senator Borah's proposal for an
Anglo-Japanese American conference.
While responsible statesmen decline
to be quoted, there Is no mistaking the
strong sentiment favoring the cordial
acceptance of an invitation to any sort
of conference for naval disarmament.
1t has been their unwavering position
that the first move in this question
was up to the United States.
Anything we initiated might be
used by our enemies In your country
to arouse suspicion as to our motives" "
said one intimate adviser to the Prime
Minister to-day. But we will welcome
the first move from your side and will
prove the genuineness of our willing
ress to cooperate"
The Borah plan Is also welcomed as
q possible solution of the problems
connected with the renewal of the
Anglo-Japanese treaty, which will form
80 80 G
at the coming empire conference. In
such a joint move for disarmament
British statesmen sec the germs OF a
new alliance or understanding among
/ the three Powers whereby the peace
Of Asia and the Pacific will be as
surcd. That such a conference might
be strewn with difficulties Is likewise
recognized.
| For instance, il was asked to-day
whether the United States might bring
up the Shantung question if Japan en-
| tered such a conference. Many British
statesmen hope that the Shantung ques-
tion will be Strengthened out before a
conference is possible. and It Is known
hero that informal representations al
Japan on this subject and also con-
| cerning zap In order to smooth the
way for Anglo-American cooperation.
Generally it may be said that Great
Britain recognizes the United States as
the dominant factor In the most i'm
portant problem OF the future-the Pa
cific-and welcomes not only anything
tending toward disarmament. but any
thing tending to straighten out the Far
East problem.
Great Britain has been deeply stirred
by the prospect that the supremacy OF
the seas would pass across the Atlantic
in 1925, according to American and
British naval programmes, and speak
ing from a purely practical viewpoint,
there is a large section OF opinion here
which would like to see an agreement
10 limit naval armaments before this
supremacy actually passes. On the
other hand, there is undoubtedly large
opinion believing that disarmament must
come II the future of the world Is to be
secured.
The Borah proposal, IL finally put in
action, will also come at an opportune
time for Great Britain, as when next
month the Prime Ministers of the En-
plre gather here one of the subjects or
their informal agenda Will be how .he
entire empire can help bear share OF
the burden for maintaining Britannia :
rule OF the seas This Is not on the
formal programme. but the recent
speeches OF Premier William VI. Hughes
Of Australia and Gen. ]. C. SHUTS in
South Africa indicate that II is sure TO
be brought up and not In any suise thns
ovefburdened Great Britain would well