Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-08-13
TEXTOF INVITATION
To DISARMAMENT
col DIFFERENCE GIVEN

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12.-Presi-
dent Harding's formal invitation to
the great powers for conference
here, beginning November II, on dis
armament and Far Eastern problems,
We're made public Thursday by Sec
rotary Hughes.
The text of the communication
transmitted to Great Britain, France,
Italy, Japan and China, to participate
in the conference, placed no limita-
ton on the scope of the discussions
to be had
1t was suggested, however,, that the
question of naval ornaments may
naturally have first place." though
it had been thought best not to eX-
clude questions pertaining to other
armament from the subjects to be
considered by the conferees.
1t was not the purpose of the
United States government, the invi-
tation added, to define the scope to
the Pacific and Far Eastern discus
sions, "but rather to leave this to be
the subject of suggestions to be ex-
changed before The meeting of the
conference"
The communication to China did
not include an invitation to the dis
armament conference, but only re-
quest to participate in the Pacific
and Far Eastern discussions.
Secretary Hughes made public the
text of President Harding's formal
n IN
Washington conference. The text fol-
lows:
Text of Invitation
The president is deeply grati-
fled at the cordial response to
his suggestion that there should
be a conference on the subject
of limitation of armament, in
connection with which Pacific and
far eastern questions should also
be discussed.
Productive labor is staggering
under an economic burden too
heavy to be borne unless the
present vast public expenditures
are greatly reduced.
1t is idle to look for stability
or the assurance of social JUS
I, tice, or the security of peace,
while wasteful and unproductive
just reward and defeat the rea.
sonable expectation of progress.
The enormous disbursements
In the rivalries of ornaments
manifestly constitute the greater
part of the encumbrance upon
enterprise. and national prosper
ity; and avoidable or extravagant
expense of this nature is not
only without economic justifica.
ton, but is a constant menace to
the peace of the world rather
than an assurance of its preser-
walton. Yet there would seem
to be no, ground to expect the
hating of these increasing OUT
lays unless the powers most
largely concerned find a salts
factory basis for an agreement
to effect their limitation. The
time is believed to be opportune -
for these powers to approach this
subject directly and in confer-
ence; and while, in the discuss
sion of limitation of armament,
the questionEof naval armament
may naturally have first place,
it has been thought best not to
exclude questions pertaining to
other armament to the end that
all practical measures of relief
may have appropriate considera-
ton. 1t may also be found adj
visable to formulate proposals
by which in the interest of hui
manity, the use of new agencies
of warfare may be suitably con.
trolled.
Desire for Peace
1t is, however, quite clear that
there can be no final assurance
of the peace of the world in the
absence of the desire for peace,
and the prospect of reduced arr
maments is not a hopeful one
unless this desire finds express
sion in a practical effort to re-
move causes of misunderstand-
ings and to Seek ground for
agreement as to principles and
their application. fiji fiji fiji
1t is the earnest wish of this
government that through an in-
terchange of views with the fa-
cilities afforded by the confer.
a solution Of the Pacific and Far
Eastern problems, of unquestion-
ed Importance at this time, that
is, such common understandings
with respect. to matters which,
have been andNare of internation-
al concern as may serve to pro.
mote enduring friendship among
our peoples.
1t is not, the purpose OF, this
government to attempt to define
the scope of the discussion in
relation to Pacific and Far East,
but rather to leave this to be the
subject of suggestions to be ex-
changed before the meeting OF
the conference. in the expecta-
ton that the spirit of friendship
and cordial appreciation of the
Importance of the elimination of
sources of controversy will goy-
ern the final decision.
Accordingly, in pursuance OF
the proposal which has been
made, and in the light of the
gracious indication of it's accept
ance, the president invites the
government of Great Britain to
participate in a conference on
the subject of limitation of arma-
ment, in connection with which
Pacific and Far Eastern questions
will also be discussed, to be
held in Washington on the eley-