New-York tribune., 1922-01-18
President Says Armament
Conference Offers Best
Means of Bringing Sta
bility Back to World
Course Decided On
In Cabinet Session
Invitation Received, but
1t viii Be Ignored I'm
Ill Business Of Wash
ington Meeting i Ended
By Carter Field

WASHINGTON. Jan. l7.-Presi-
dent Harding has taken the positive
position that the United States will
rot discuss economic conditions in
Europe, or, for that matter, other
European questions, until all the de-
cisions Of the Washington armament
limitations conference arc signed.
sealed and delivered.
This decision became known after
a-days Cabinet meeting, when it
vas learned that the President and
his advisers had determined not to
accept the invitation to the economic
conference at Genoa or even to con-
ser whether it should be accepted
q not until after the WASHINGTON
saference had been concluded.
As matter of fact, the opinion
very strongly held by the Pres;-
dents advisers that the Genoa con-
isrence will have to be postponed. if
not cancelled. 1t is difficult to ex-
sggerate the gravity of the present
Iuropean situation, from the Ad-
'minlstrations 5 viewpoint, as pointed
ou' in these dispatches to-day.
The view WAS expressed at the White
lleasc today that the United States
Is net concerned with the desire of
''smior Poincare Of France to abolish
ts Supreme Council That is Europe's
'sar. i was stated
Hope in Naval Holiday
President HardinsS mind is centered
ior the moment entirely on the arma-
nsnt limitation conference. 1t is the
e'iy ray of hope for international
lsase and accord. which the President
md many OF his close advisers see
''ysaere. They are very pessimistic
fer the prospects Of negotiations.
resent and proposed. in Europe, after
'eaang the recent dispatches from
Faris. They have been driven to the
'pinlon that so involved and intricate
+ lne European situation at the pres
sH' m'ment. nothing this country could
10 would help. while. on the other hand,
Sucn efforts on the part of this coun-
~ might easily make things worse
Ver there and ieopardzc the results
u Tie conference here
with regard to the ten-year naval
cc'hday proposed b. the Armament
conference. however, the President is
Nos' optimistic, and, for that very rca-
son Is determined not to take any ac-
@ I,H WIN respect to the European sit
ua1lor' or allow this country to be in
'V'N'n IN any way. He does not want
i" ''SN II, tue slightest degree the sue
cess et the Washington conference.
thinks it Will Continue
Tie President feels that the ten.vear
MaF'i holicaN will so impress the civil
.s'u Worid with the folly of large ex-
rs"p.tu'eS .,, for armament that the holi-
In: IL. h, ~il DC inc beginning of new era.
~ ',1 geieVes that If the ten-year period
,l Jn0la De passed successfully it will be
~, ' "a'urai inclination of the nations
VI ~, n'e World to continue the holiday.
me President and Secretary HUGHES
are looking earnestly at this hope for
world peace, the agreement of the FIVE
'o.ei naval powers to suspend battle
saip construction for ten years. ard
'ae agreement of the four powers on
breathing spell treaty with regard
70 the Pacific. That to them is the
most definite thing ever achieved for
We prevention of wars.
Looking at Europe, they arc dis.
,aFoed y! over the recent development OF
alctlon between France and Britain
VI the one hand. and between France
sao Italy cn the other. The President
,as s been informed in the last few
.sys, the writer is informed on un.
Ssaestoned authority, by several OF
ss friends in both parties who sup
70 ps'led American entry in the League
" Nations without reservation, that
sace ,' the convcning of the Washing
WI conference their opinions had been
'a.lrely changed The bitterness between
Continued on page four)