Alma record., 1921-11-17
PROPOSALS BY
j. s. STARTLE
ENTIRE WORLD
LAYS HER CARDS ON
THE TABLE AT THE ARMA-
MENT CONFERENCE.
Biggest Step to
OutIalU Var Starts

The conference of the powers on
the limitation of armaments opened
in Washington Saturday, and this
conference, the largest ever held in
this country and one that may be the
most far reaching in the history of
the world, was started when Presi-
dent Harding and Secretary of State
Hughes put the cards of the United
States on the table, so to speak, in
their opening addresses to the confer
ence.
Never before have the representa-
tives Of the nations listened to pro-
posals that might have such far
reaching results, when the delegates
get down TO real business. Real linn
itation of armaments which may have
for its end the outlawing Of war was
the proposal of the United States,
which fairly took away the breath of
the delegates of the nations.
Following is President Harding's
address to the conference; which may
well be the beginning of new era
among the nations of the world:
"Mr. Secretary and members Of the
conference, ladies and gentlemen: 1t
Is great and happy privilege TO bid
the delegates to this conference a
cordial welcome to the capital Of the
United States Of America 1t is not
only a satisfaction to greet you be-
cause we were lately participants in
a common cause, i'm which shared sac
rifices and sorrows and triumphs
brought our nations more closely to-
gether, but it is gratifying to address
you as the spokesmen for nations
whose convictions and attending ac-
tions have SO much to DO with the
veal or woe Of all mankind.
at is not possible to over-appraise
the Importance of such conference.
It is no unseemly boast, no dsparage-
ment Of other nations which, though
not represented, are held in highest
respect, to declare that the conclu-
sions of this body will have a signal
influence on all human progression
the fortunes of the world
iltlt - d HlctllHSy 4 can well De-
lieve, which is an example of the
awakened conscience Of twentieth
century civilization. 1t is not a con-
vention Of rumors, nor session of
sorrow. 1t is not the conference of
Victors to define terms Of settlement.
Nor is it a council of nations seeking
to remake humankind. 1t is rather a
coming together from all parts of the
earth to apply the better attributes Of
mankind to minimize the faults in
our international relationships.
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 war-wearied world,
struggling for restoration, hungerine
and thirsting for better relationship
of humanity crying for relief and
craving assurances of lasting peace.
ut is easy to understand this
worldwide aspiration. The glory of
triumph, the rejoicing in achievement,
the love of liberty, the devotion TO
country, the pangs of sorrow, the bur-
dens 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 nation sorrowed while paying
him tribute.
Whether it was spoken or not, a
hundred millions of our people were
summarizing the inexcusable cause,
the incalculable cost, the unspeakable
sacrifices, and the unutterable sor-
rows, and there was the ever impel-
ling question: how can humanity JUS
tify or God forgive? Human hate de-
mands no such toll; ambition and
greed must be denied it. II misun-
derstanding must take the blame,
then let us Danish it, and let under
standing rule and make good will
reignant everywhere.
"All of us demand liberty and JUS
tice. There can not be one without
the other, and they must be held the
possession of all peo-
pi'S' Inherent fienlS are OF GOu ana
the tragedies of the world originate
in their attempted denial. The world
today is infringing their enjoyment
by arming to defend or deny, when
simple sanity calls for their recogni-
tion through common understanding.
"Out of the cataclysm of the world
war came new fellowships, new con-
victions, new aspirations. 1t is ours to
make the most of them. A world
staggering with debt needs its bur
den lifted. Humanity which has been
shocked by wanton destruction would
minimize the agencies of that de-
struction. Concentrating the meas