THE CONFERENCE.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXI, 11 August 1921, Page 4

THE CONFERENCE.

AT WASHINGTON. THE DATE FIXED. LLOYD GEORGE AND WASHINGTON. .Per Pless Association—-CopyrighA.| LONDON, August 8. Mr Lloyd George’s announcement in Paris, that hfo will attend the Washington Conference, surprised London Government circles, which attributed the decision to the enormous accumulation of work requiring hie personal attention during the autumn. It ie further suggested that anticipated developments in the Irish situation caused the Prime Minister to change his mind. Some people are inclined to associate the change of plans with the possibility of a general election in tho autumn. A later message says: —The ‘‘Daily Chronicle” Paris correspondent states that Mr Lloyd George has not informed journalists that he is not going to Washington. Ho is informed that Mr Lloyd George intends to accept Mr Harding’s invitation to visit Washing- < ton as the official British representative. IMAGINARY INTERVIEW. PARIS, August 8. Reuter’s Agency is authorised to state that neither thie delegation nor the Embassy made any statement regarding Mr Lloyd George’s intentions. In the matter of going to America, moreover, Mr Lloyd George received no American journalists. UNOFFICIAL TALK. LONDON, August 9. The report that Mr Lloyd George is not going to Washington seem§ to have emanated from a conversation between Mr Lloyd George and SI Bnaud. The latter asked if Mr Lloyd George intended to go, and Mr Lloyd George replied that he had not yet been officially invited. He did not know whether the Conference was for Premiers, Foreign Secretaries, or appointed delegates. Mr Lloyd George added that he was not sure if he would be able to go. The conversation was unofficial and private, .but apparently something leaked out, and was su'osequently garbled or misconstrued. NEW YORK, August 9. The “New York Times” Washington correspondent states that following upon the receipt of Italy’s acceptance November 11 was fixed as the date ef the armament conference. Japan’s acceptance has also arrived. Mr Harding has now sent formal invitations to all Powers, save the British Dominions. It is felt that if the Dominions are represented their delegates will be part of the British Government delegation. The United States wants the Conference limited to the fewest possible participants, and will probably adopt the Paris Peace Conference principle of a small group of conferences. Mr Harding and Mr Hughes are considering the question of publicity. The tendency appears to bo against open sessions. The United States, however, will seek to have a full explanation of the Conference proceedings furnished to the Press.