The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1921-11-12
aFOR A SER VICE
TO MANKIND
That Is Why Conference
Was Called, Says Pres.
Harding
IN WELCOMING
THE DELEGATES
United States Has No Sell
fish Purpose and Has
No Fear

AaSHlDulOHs -. N.s 4'of. -
text Of President Harding's address at
the opening Of the conference on Inn
itation of armaments follows:
Mr.. Secretary and members OF the
conference, ladies' and gentlemen: II y
great and happy privilege TO BID the
delegates to this conference a cordial
welcome to the capital OF the United
States Of America II is not only sat
isfaction to greet you because we were
lately participants in common cause,
in which shared sacrifices and sorrows
and triumphs brought our nations more
closely together, but it is gratifying 10
address YOU AZ the spokesman for ma
tions whose convictions and attending
actions have so much to do with the
veal or woe Of all mankind.
1t is not possible TO over-appraise
the Importance of such conference
Ii IL no unseemly boast, no disparage-
ment Of other nations which, though
not represented, are held in highest re-
spect. TO declare that the conclusions OF
this body viii have signal influence
on all human progress-on the fortunes
Of the world.
Here is meeting, can well believe,
which is an earnest of the awakened
conscience Of 20th century civilizations.
IL il not a convention OF remorse, nor
session OF sorrow. 1t is not the con
ference of victors to define terms q
settlement. Nor is it council Of ma
tions seeking to remake human kind. II
Is rather coming together, from all
parts OF the earth. to apply tine better
attributes Of mankind 10 minimize the
faults in our international relation
ships.
speaking as official sponsor for the
invitation, / think / may say the call
is not of the United States Of America
alone. it is rather the spoken word OF q
war wearied world, struggling for re-
storation, crying for relief and craving
assurances of lasting peace.
II is easy to understand this world
wide aspiration. The glory OF triumph,
the rejoicing in achievement, the love
OF liberty, the devotion to the country,
the pangs of sorrow, the burdens Of
debt, the desolation of ruin--all these
are appraised alike in all lands. Here in
the United States we are but freshly
turned from. the burial of an unknown
American soldier, when a nation sor-
.rowed while paying him tribute.
| Whether it was spoken or not, hun
dred millions of our people were sum
marizing the inexcusable cause, the in
ealculable cost. the unspeakable saeri-
fees, and the unutterable sorrows, and
there was the ever impelling question:
How can humanity justify or God for
givef Human hate demands no such
toll; ambition and greed must be de-
MED II. If Misunderstanding must take
the blame, then let us Danish it, and
let understanding rule and make good
will regnant everywhere. All of us de-
mand liberty and justice. There can not
be one without the other. and they
must be held the unquestioned posses
sion Of all peoples. Inherent rights are
of God, and the tragedies OF the world
originate in their attempted denial.
The world to-day is infringing their
enjoyment BY arming TO defend or
deny. when simple sanity calls for their
recognition through common under
standing.
World Staggering With Debt.
Out of the cataclysm of the World
war came new fellowships, new con-
victions, new aspirations. II Is ours TO
make the most of them. A world stag
gering with debt needs its burden lift
ed Humanity which has been shocked
by wanton destruction would minimize
the agencies Of that destruction. Con-
templating the measureless cost of war
and the continuing burden of anna
ment. all thoughtful peoples wish for
real limitation of armament and would
like war outlawed. In soberest refec-
tion the worlds hundreds of millions
who pay in peace and die in war wish
their statesmen TO turn the expendi-
lures for destruction into means Of
construction, aimed at higher state
for those who live and follow after.
IL is not alone that the world can
not readjust itself and cast aside the
excess burdens without relief from The
leaders Of men. War has grown pro-
gressively cruel and more destructive
from the first recorded conflict TO this
pregnant day, and the reverse order
would more become our boasted civili-
ration
Gentlemen Of the conference. the
United States welcomes you with un-
selfish hands. We harbor no fears; we
have no sordid ends 20 serve; We sus.
pect no enemy; We contemplate or APP
prehend no conquest Content with
what We have. We seek nothing which
j. anofher's. We only wish to do Will
you that finer, noblcr thing which no
nation can do alone.
We wish TO sit with you al the Ia.
bic Of international understanding and
good win. In good conscience We ars
eager 10 meet you frankly. and invite
ard offer cooperation The world de.
mands q sober contemplation u fhs
T existing order and tire realization that
there can he no cure without sacrihcc
nof b one Il ne. but ~ all q us.
] a. not mean SURRENDERED nights, o.