The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-10-19

Recent criticism of the National
Council for Limitation Of Armaments
did not originate with the state de-
partment, according to letter from
Secretary Hughes TO Miss Christina
Merriman, secretary of the foreign
policy association.
Much publicity had been given to
dispatches from Washington which
impugned the motives and personnel
OF the council and attacked its Tor
nation Miss Merriman wrote to Sec
rotary Hughes calling his attention TO
the dispatches and implying that they
represented the administration point
of view. She explained the objects of
the association and offered to confer
with Mr.. Hughes.
Mr.. Hughes replied on Oct. s in a
letter which is just being given to
the press, and copy of which is in
the possession of Prof. A. d. Hole Of
Earlham college, president of the
American Friends Peace association
and executive committee member or
the Friends Disarmament council
The Secretary of State,
Washington,
Oct s, 1921.
MY dear Miss Merriman
II have received your letter of Oct.
G You may rest assured that the
state department welcomes the aid OF
the objects of the conference on limi-
tation of armament and keenly desires
public spirited citizens in furtherlng
10 facilitate all who are engaged in the
effort to give accurate information and
10 develop sound opinion. ! am not
sufficiently informed as to the plans
OF your organization TO comment upon
hem. and certainly. do not wish to
be put in the position of criticising an
attempt, as you put 1T, to direct pubic
interest intelligently.
Being deply in earnest in this mat
tor and solicitous for the success of
negotiations which involve grave diff
ficulties and undoubtedly will afford
many opportunities for misunder-
standing, | am naturally anxious that
the American people should place con
fidence in the American delegation,
and that those who are most inter
ested in the objects to be attained
will permit us to attain them and to
perform our important work without
unnecessary embarrassment, 1t is
quite clear from your letter that you
share this view
II do not wish to put you to the
Inconvenience of coming to Washing
ton. but | shall be glad to see yoL
whenever you are here.
Very sincerely yours,
fSigned) CHARLES E. HUGHES
The National Council for Limitation
OF Arnaments has as its purpose etc
unite and make articulate through the
member organizations the overwhelm
ing sentiment of the people of the
United States in favor of reduction Of
ornaments" 1t aims TO coordinate
the efforts of its member organiZa
tions, maintaining an Information ser
vice in cooperation with them: CO
operate with similar organizations in
other countries; suggest to its mem
Der organizations possible lines of &C
ton based upon the findings of its
executive board, and maintain an ad
visory board of experts.
Frederick j. Libby, who spoke OF
limitations of ornaments in Richmond
this summer, and who is temporar,
executive secretary of the Nationa
Council, reports that the following OF
CARNATIONS have signified their pun
pose to participate in the work of III
Council: The National Grange, Ameri
can Farm Bureau Federation. Nation
al Board of Farm Organizations, Ma
tional Milk Producers Federation, In
ternational Association of Machinists
National Women's Trade Union Lea