The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-01-01
PLANS FOR FUTURE CONFERENCE STILL
 IN VAGUE STATE
President, However. Would Be Much Disappointed if No Agreement Reached for
 Future Meetings
By Associated Press

the Washington negotiations ap- preaching their conclusion, President Harding's proposal for a future se- ries of similar International meetings is coming to the front once more in the informal discussions of the dele gates. Thus far, if outward mani festations are taken as a guide, the future conference question has been one Of the least clearly defined of all The issues considered here.
 Most of the delegates believe they can see the end of their labors. in both armament and the far east hut none seems to have clear Idea of what action Is likely to be taken in the direction of the powers to discussion or world problems. When the Presi- dents suggestion for a continuing se- ries Of international gatherings first was made early in the arms meeting It was said by high administration otricials that the plan might be re- sarded as stepping stone to an "as- sociation of nations" MT. Harding. 1t was declared. would be greatly dis appointed if no agreement for fut,1re meetings came out of the Washington conversations
 At that stage of the conference. when definite settlements appeared likely in regard to all classes of naval armament as well as all of the troubled problems of the far east. the suggestion found support in practt- cai4y every one of the foreign delega- tions. It was agreed that some ac- tion to fulfill the Presidents desires seemed likely as soon as the pri- mary purposes of the conference were attained.
 Prospects Now Beclouded
 Developments since, however, have considerably beclouded the prospect. Failure to agree on submarines and auxiliary craft, and obstacles en- countersd in the far eastern negotia- uons, are conceded to have presented 6 somewhat changed situation.
 Upon highest authority, 1t now is said that the American delegation sees no reason to plan future meet ing to discuss auxiliary naval arma- ment until there has been unmistak- able evidence of a change of attitude on the part of the powers who have found themselves in disagreement here. At the same time, administra- tion officials describe the President as still hoping for such conference. The foreign delegates, for the most part, are remaining silent.
 In all discussions Of the conference attention Is called to what already has been done in the direction of fu- turo conferences as forming at least a plece- meal beginning toward reali- zation of the Presidents hopes.
 The four-power treaty. providing for consultation between the United states, Great Britain, Japan and France. In any threatened breach ot the peace In the Pacific; tho creation or continuing commissions and other agencies to help solve the Chinese problems and the virtual decision to have another arms conference six or seven years hence to discuss exten- sion of the naval holiday, all are pointed to by American officials as ettpS III tn0 Il&nL ulTecLlon.
 No Predictions Made
 But whether 8 definite, concrete plan for periodical consultations is to be laid before the conference be- tore it ends remains an unanswered question. Neither the White House nor the American delegation will make prediction and the plenipo- tentiaries of the other powers are In waiting attitude because they feel any such proposal should logically come from the United States.
 No item providing for discussion of a future conference plan Is on the formal agenda of the Washington conference. but that Is not generally considered a serious obstacle to con sideration of the subject. It is pointed out that an opportunity for further separate accomplishment toward the association" ideals is afforded by the Chinese 10 points, accepted as a basis of discussion in the far eastern negotiations. The last of the 10 prop ositions laid down by the Chinese was:
 Provision is to be made for fu- ture conferences to be held from time to time for the discussion of international questions relative to the Pacific and the far east, as a basis for determination of common policies of the signatory powers In relation thereto"
 This proposition. which has been described in some conference circles as an overture for "a regional asso- ciation of nations" has not yet come formally before the far eastern com mittee for discussion. There have been evidences, however. that it is the concurrence of the United States which has attempted to fill the role of China's next friend" in the con ference and that 1t was brought for ward after American sentiment was quite well understood by the Chimes. delegates.
 Jurists to Visit China
 In line with the same purnose agreement has been reached for A commission of jurists representing the powers to visit China and mako detailed recommendations regarding abolition of the extra territorial rights. Reference of several other far eastern questions to continuing commissions of various kinds has been seriously considered but not formally approved. In the same way. It has been recommended that con tinuing bodies be created to deal both with the question of use of airplanes ana with the general rules of war fare.
 Whatever happens in regard to taese scattering projects for future joint action by the powers, or in re- gard to any effort to knit them all together under an association" plan. it Is considered practically assured that before 1t adjourns the Washing ton meeting will arrange for coming together again six or seven years hence. That proposal has heen cnn