The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1921-09-02
HARDING SAYS Limit
OF ARMAMENTS ONLY
ISNOW PRACTICABLE
Tells 200 Army Men Cut in
Cost of Burden Is Object
Of Conference.
PRAISE FOR PERSHING
Warns Public Not to Get
False Idea That Armed
Forces Are to Go.
END OF WAR NOT In SIGHT
President Speaks Plainly on
Efforts to Prevent Future
Conflicts Of Nations.
END OF WAR NOT IN SIGHT
Special Despatch TO THE NEW YORK HERALD.
New. York Herald Bureau.


New York Herald Bureau.
Washington. ID. c., Sept. 1.
President Harding took pains to-day
world that complete disarmament OF
nations is not practical step at the
present place in the worlds history,
and that the hope and aim Of the Adj
ministration is limitation OF. rather
than an elimination of, military pro-
grammes.
The President spoke before a stu
dent class of 200 army officers enter
ing upon a two year course OF military
science at the Army War College. 1t
was manifest that he sought to dis
Illusion those who have persisted In
calling the coming parley in Wash
ington a conference for disarmament.
1t was brought out forcibly by Mr.
Harding that he and those guiding the
destiny of the nation do not believe
complete disarmament Of the nations
is possible or advisable.
There has been growing impress
sion throughout this country. and in
many other countries, that the con-
ference called for armistice day was
designed TO bring about a disarming
of the nations and an assured plan for
world peace. The President, in answer.
deliberately expressed the thought that
the conference was designed only to
call a halt 10 ambitious military and
naval programmes that threatened TO
put too great burden on the people
of this and other nations. 1t is real
lied that popular belief that the con-
ference was designed to effect dis
armament would breed disappoint-
mcnts. no matter how great an efrort
was made TO limit or reduce to rea-
sonable bounds the great rivalry in the
building of navies so that one or
group of countries might overshadow
in power the rest of the world.
Address Is Unexpected.
The Presidents address was unex-
pected. The advance notice had been
given that he would address the Army
War College class. but the speech was
unusually significant in view OF the
plans for the coming conference. The
President said
'T think I will relieve my embarrass-
ment by telling you n Cabinet secret
which came to my mind while the Secre-
tary OF War was emphasizing his duty
as a civil agent of the Government. In
the Cabinet, where We sometimes are
familiar. as all men like TO be at times.
the Secretary OF War Is called Mars
Frankly, l should feel a continued en-
barrassment in this presence we're II
not for the fact that I am glad 70
come and express the interest. the en-
couragemcnt and the good will of one
who ls, by virtue Of his office. for a
period commandments.
II have to emile sometimes at the
term conscious as ] am OF my own
inability to understand all the things
for which the Executive is responsible.
This conviction and realization comes
to me every day. but ] have come to
know and am satisfied to believe that
the President. after all. IL just the
agency employed in focusing the judg-
ment, the conviction and the knowl-
edge or those IN America whose minds
and experience must Of necessity direct
the trend OF government. There would
not be a man IN America, even were he
a superman. who could fittingly serve
az President Of the United States IL II
were otherwise 7 have come TO feel
new confidence in myself because OF
the capable men 7 find everywhere
about me who can take upon their
shoulders q part OF the great load that
comes 10 any executive. ] feel so con-
corning the Secretary OF War: I feel
SO concerning Gen. pershing. and all
men with whom ! have come in contact
and who are in authority.
blends Theory with Practice.
There Is little that could say par
tlcularly appropriate 10 this occasion.
can, from my own experience, remind
Won that II the War College Is the in
stitution which brings the knowledge OF
experience into blend with theory. Il
Is one great institution Of practical
value. Tho trouble with the world to-
day Is that too many theorists know
nothing about actualities and have
learned nothing OF experience, and who
ever In this life brings the wisdom OF
experience into a blend with the teach
ings OF theory makes contribution 20
real progress.
said about yonr profession for the IN
ture. but. men OF the army. no matter
where the best aspirations OF the world
Continued on Ninth Page.