The New York herald., 1921-07-12
TOXIC GIVES NO Hint
ON REPLY TO HARDING
Presidents Disarmament Con-
ference Proposal Is Warmly
Endorsed in Congress.
APPROVED BY DEMOCRATS
Hughes to Head U. S. Delegates
and This Nations Security
to Be Paramount Issue.
APPROVED BY DEMOCRATS

Special Despatch to THE New YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington, ID. C.. July IL.
Worldwide interest in the attitude
which japan will assume toward the
international conference which Presf-
dent Harding is calling to consider dis
armament and Pacific problems was
reflected here to-day.
Both Great Britain and the United
States are officially on record in favor
of holding the conference. and 1t Is
known that France and Italy are
agreeable. China also has signified her
willingness to participate.
There IS no information here indi-
eating that Japan has made known
her attitude. The nature Of the con-
ference hinges largely upon her
willingness. Japan may counter with a
request for specific information In ad-
vance as 20 what subjects are to be
considered.
Discussion regarding the attitude OF
Japan was coincident with a fuller
realization of the superior importance
attaching 10 the consideration of the
Far Eastern and Pacific questions.
which may be said to include dis
armament. Necessarily Japan is vitality
interested in this feature and will ap-
proach the conference with a realiza-
ton Of its far reaching Importance to
her.
Legislators Approve Action.
Senators and Representatives gen.
orally approved the Presidents decision
to call the conference. Senator Lodge
(Mass.). chairman OF the Senate For
eign Relations Committee. voiced thor
ough approval. He ventured the opinion
that land armament will not be con-
sidered In the conference. but that 1t
will be devoted entirely to discussion
OF limitation In naval armament. He
was not disposed to speculate upon the
possible development OF the conference
into something beyond what was in
cluded In the State Departments an
nouncement.
Senator Underwood (Ala.) also ex-
pressed approval of the Presidents
course.
Senator Borah. author of the dis
armament amendment to the pending
naval BILL was concerned over the
Presidents announcement. He refused
to be quoted. but 1t was plain that he
regarded the inclusion of France and
Italy in the conference call mistake.
as suggesting consideration OF the
Limitation of land armanents. He be-
lieves this enlargement of the scope
OF disarmament conference beyond
that outlined in his resolution will tend
to lessen It's chances of success.
But the general opinion OH the inclu-
sion OF France and Italy appears to be
favorable. II was explained officially
that the Inclusion OF these countries
was suggested because they had par
ticipated in the war. The intimadon
was given that IL was logical to carry
on this association OF Powers.
Settlement of Far Eastern problems
involves discussion Of the open door"
everywhere. and Secretary Hughes has
IL
real n question in Mesopotamia as 1t Is
in China. Naturally. France and Italy
are interested In this general solution
of a vexed question. and their presence
in any conference OF the nature proposed
will be welcomed by the United States.
France Might Ask Guaran ntee.
While the question of the limitation
of the land armament might naturally
arise in a conference In which France
and italy are to participate. IL is real
lied here that special conditions con-
front the countries. II the question is
raised France might be expected to ask
assurance against possible attack by
Germany.
All suggestions as to what may come
lin i'm the conference are speculative.
The agenda Is not prepared and can
no, be arranged until the formal ac-
centances of the American invitation
are received and the nature of the rep
resentation decided upon. II was ru-
,nored here that Premier Lloyd George
might attend the conference IL IL is held
in Washington. but there was no con-
flrmation OF the report.
The authority which the delegates TO
the conference will have must be decided
n,, tho countries sending delegates. Their
number will not be important. as the de-
Gliding votes will be taken by nations. and
not by Individual delegates. SO far as
tho United States is concerned. no treaty
arrangement could be made without rati-
dcation by the Senate. so II Ia assumed
that the results OF the conference Will
be included In reports TO the various
home governments. to he followed by
definite treaty agreements made through
the usual diplomatic channels.
II wac made clear by Government Of
hcials to-day that the American people
need have no fear that the national Sc
curity OF the United states will be en-
dangered by anything that may happen
AT this conference. This assurance u
significant because OF the very nature OF
the conference and means that while
the United states desires disarmament
Il is not seeking Il In a Quixotic manner.
The necessity OF providing for the ma
tional security will run through every
clement of tho deliberations so far az
the American representation Is con-
cerned The United states will invite
Continued on Second Page.
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