The Washington herald., 1922-01-18
DISPUTES NEAR END
Secretary Hughes Conf.
dent Important Prob
lens Will Be Settled.
SEES EVIDENCE
OF COMPROMISE
President Believes Naval
. Holiday Will Begin
New Peace Era.

Despite apparent obstacles that
have slowed up progress. the arma-
ment conference is rapidly ap-
preaching a complete amicable set
tlement of all of the most impor-
tant of it's problems.
Secretary of State Hughes, who
was able to attend yesterdays Cab
met meeting. made this very plain
to President Harding and his OFF,
cial colleagues.
The questions in dispute that have
arisen in the past few days will
eventually prove possible of solu-
ton. The various delegations are
in no way inclined to be stubborn.
They are standing out for what
they believe best for their govern
ments. But in every instance there
has been a disposition to compro-
mise in all demands.
Conadent of New Era.
In this connection IL is under
stood that President Harding has
been very deeply interested in the
declaration made by Admiral Baron
York when he stated that the bene-
fits from the present conference
will not end with the naval holiday.
The President yesterday told
callers that. while perhaps he may
be too optimistic. he entertains a
very strong conviction that. with
ten years Of operation of a naval
holiday. the civilized world win
have become so impressed with the
fn11,- nf 10 A~nnndftnraS
mament that the holiday will be
only the beginning of a new era.
With ten years of peace anc
smaller appropriations for war pur.
poses. the President believes that
IT will be impossible to end the
holiday.
Undisturbed by French Plans.
In this connection il Is known
that President Harding does not
consider that the United States has
any personal interest in Premier
Poincare of Frances apparent de-
termination to abolish the inter-
allied supreme council. That Is a
matter that Is Of interest only to
France. the President Is understood
to believe. And the President does
not consider that the newly adopted
French attitude is in any way a d.
rect blow At the general idea of
round table conferences to settle
disputed world problems.
The administration also has not
taken any direct position on gen.
eral suggestion that the naval holi-
day be inaugurated with the sink
ing of scrapped ships in a mass
with elaborate ceremonies as an OBJ
ject lesson. The economic question
of course is OF interest to. the
President.
ScrappinE, Main Purpose.
Likewise, he does not consider IL
practicable that air OF tie ships that
arc removed from the war list
should he scrapped at the same
point. There is some reason for
consideration OF a ceremonial sink
ing of certain ships IN the Far East,
and on the Atlantic and Pacific
coasts as an impressive spectacle
that would have it's effect on world
sentiment. But the main thing in
the opinion of the President is tc
get them scrapped at the earliest
possible moment.
1t was stated officially yesterday
that the President retains an open
mind concerning the participation
by the United States in. the Genoa
conference. He has made no de-
cision and is hardly likely to do so
until the armament conference
finally adjourns sine die. There is
a very strong difference Of opinion
in the United States as to the ad-
visibility of the United States
participating, and the President in
tends to carefully examine all sides
OF the arguments before announc-
ing any decision.
The funding bill now before the
Senate is entirely, satisfactory TO
the President, according to those
who have his confidence. He be-
lievea that it will be passed without
loss OF time.
suggestions that the President has
caused poll to be made OF the
Senate to ascertain how the various
members will stand on the several
treaties that are to come out of the
present conference were declared
yesterday to be erroneous. Nothing
of the sort has been attempted by
the President and will not be. : So
soon as the conference adjourn,
sine die, the various treaties will
be assembled and will be conyeyed
TO the Senate for the action re-
quired under the Constitution II
he considers ii necessary the Presi-
dent will take them to the Senate
personally. II not he will send
them with the necessary accom-
panying message.