Confer with some authoritative statesmen (4)
I believe the answer is:
vest
'confer with' is the definition.
'some authoritative statesmen' is the wordplay.
'some' says the answer is hidden in the clue (some of the parts of the word are used).
'VEST' can be found hidden inside 'authoritative statesmen'.
(Other definitions for vest that I've seen before include "Place undergarment in fixed right of possession" , "Clothe in ecclesiastical garments" , "Undergarment to put in right of possession" , "Undergarment covering trunk of body" , "American version of waistcoat" .)