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Show 1101 TO GET U. S. mil Foreign Office Declares Negotiations Have Been Opened; Hughes Silent as 'to Policy PARIS, March 10. (By the Associated Press.) It was tated at the foreign office today to-day that negotiations were under un-der way by the French embassy In Washington and the state depart-ment depart-ment in an effort to Induce President Harding to favor acceptance of a modified league of nations. The French position la conciliatory, and is believed to relate to expressions expres-sions by officials connected with the present Washington administration, . made during the peace 'conference. HUGHES SILENT. WASHINGTON, March 10 By Associated As-sociated Press). Administration offi- eta la withheld comment today on the statement made at the French foreign office that negotiations were under way between the French embassy here and the state department with regard to the acceptance by the United States of a modified leamie of nations. The Impression was given, however, that the Initiative In any such development develop-ment rested entirely with the French government and that In any event the matter had not yet reached the stage of negotiations. Secretary Huvhe refused to discuss the question. It became known, however, how-ever, that on last Tuesday he had a half-hour talk with Ambassador Jus-serand Jus-serand Just before the presentation of the diplomatic corps. Whether the subject of the league of nations was broached has not been made known. HARDING WATCHFUL. President Harding already has received re-ceived considerable Information through unofficial sources regarding the feeling of European statesmen, and It is expected he will make a still more exhaustive Investigation before he launches his foreign program. The forthcoming visit of former lrremier Vivianl on aneWR.) ml mm ion and the return of Ambassador Davis from Liondon, are regarded as opening two important avenues of Information aside from those which the president is preparing on his own initiative. It would not surprise those who have been In close touch with the situation If. In addition, the president sent several sev-eral representatives abroad within the nes few weeks to make inquiries. |