WASHINGTON CONFERENCE.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17315, 29 November 1921, Page 7

WASHINGTON CONFERENCE.

♦ COMMITTEES AT WORK. AN ASSOCIATION OF NATIONS. OBITTOISM OF PRESIDENT HABDINO'S PLAN. (By Cable—Press Association— CopyrigW.) (United S«.»ioc.) LONDON, November 26. The «.pcr.ial representative of the United Service at the Washington Con•erence says- Hard work and committee activities are replacing the more spectacular Hemonstiations at the Conference. A steady achievement is being maintained, irrespective of the sporadic efforts of mischief-makers to disseminate propaganda. The tone of the principal papers shows a philosophical attitude and a reaction after the initial enthusiasm They urge adherence to fimdarruitals, and the adjustment of minor details. The "New York World'' alone la>s emphasU on the isolation of tho United States, repeating the old slogan: "We hav e rothir.g to do with Europe." The rorresrntativo adds:—"l have learned on high authority that President Harding's association of nations ?chome with periodic conferences, is regarded in Uritish circles as more or less an American domestic question, pending a definite Bcheme, though Great Britain is anxious to participate in any movement tending to forward world peace." (From Specif Bepre«entatlv« AuttraUwi Preefl Association.) (Received November 28th, 8.15 p.m.) WASHINGTON, November 27. Senator W. E. Borah made a statement to-day opposing President Harding's plan for an Association of Nations. He said he did not see much different between 't and the League of Nations In fact the League was preferable because it had a Covenant whereas the Association had no Covenant and the nations did not know what would happen to them under the Association. Tie indicated his conviction that the prjj>osal must come before the Senate when it would be subject to tho same criticism and opposition as had wrecked the League of Nations. M Viviani (France) expressed himself in cordial endorsement of the plan which ho thinks does not conflict with the League of Nations, while enabling the United State* to come into the Councils of th e nations of the world. In his inaugural address at Washington on Karen 4th, President Harding made the following references to ins plan for an Association of Nations:— The recorded progress or our itepublio, materially and epmtually, m itself proves the wisdom of the inherited policy of. no involvement in Old World affairs. Confident of our ability to work out our own destiny, and jealously guarding our right to do so, we seek no port, in directing the destinies of the Old World. We do not mean to be entangled. We will accept no responsibility, except as our own conscience and judgment in each instance may determine. Our eyes never will be blind to a developing menace, our ears never deaf to the call ot civilisation. We recognise the new order in the world, with the closer contacts, which progress has We sense the call of the human heart tor fellowship, fraternity, and co-opera-tion. We crave friendship and harbour no hate. But America, our America, the America ouilded on the foundations laid by the inspired fathers, can be a party to no permanent military alliance. It can enter into no political commitments, nor assume any economic obligations whioh, will subject our decisions to any other than our own authority, I am sure our own .people will not misunderstand, nor will the world misconstrue. *We have no thought to impede the paths to closer relationship. We wish to promote understanding. We want to do our part in malting offensive warfare bo hateful that Governments and peoples who resort to it must prove the righteousness of.their cause or stand as outlaws before the bar of civilisation. We are ready to associate ourselves with the nations of the world, great and small, for conference, for counsel, to seek the exprossed views of world opinion, to reoommend a way to ap?roximate disarmament, and to relieve he crushing burdens of military and naval establishments. We elect to participate in suggesting plans for mediaj tion, conciliation, and arbitration, and would gladly join in that expressed conscience of progress whioh seeks io clarify and write the laws of international relationship and establish a world court for the disposition r of such justiciable questions as nations are agreed to submit thereto.. In expressing aspirations, in seeking practical plans, in translating humanity's now concept of righteousness and justice, and its hatred of war into recommended action, we are ready most heartily to unite, but every commitment must be made in the exercise of our national sovereignty. Since freedom impelled, and independence inspired, and nationality exalted, a world super:government is contrary to everything we cherish and can have no sanction by our Republic. This is not selfishness; it is sanctity. It is not aloofness; it is security; 'lt is not suspicion of others; it is patriotio adherence to the things which made us what we are. Today, better than ever before, we know the aspirations of humankind, and share them. We have come to a new realisation of our place in the world, and a new appraisal of our nation, by the world. The unselfishness of these United States is a thing proven, our devotion to peace for ourselves and for the world is well established, our con. corn for preserved civilisation has had its impassioned and heroic expression. There was no American failure to resist the attempted reversion of civilisation ; there will be no failure to-day or to-morrow. THP MANDATED ISLANDS. (Received November 28th, 8.15 p.m.) WASHINGTON, November 27. Though the question of the "C" class Mandate islands has not yet officially been dealt with,, there are indications that-a certain amount of interest is being taken in the matter by press and oommeroial circles. Articles are being written, and information is being sought at various Press conference's, especially in relation to the control of foreign shipping at mandated islands.