The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1921-11-12
ADDRESS Of
HARDING AT
ARMS PARLEI
President Delivers Speech
at Opening Session
To-day
MEETING ON TIME
Great Applause VIII e n
Secretary Hughes and
Delegation Arrive

(Dy Associated PreSSl
WASHINGTON, Nov. 12.-Fresh
with the memories OF the soldier
dead, the conference on limitation
Of armament met in its first session
today to seek "thc rule under which
treason and Righteousness shall pre-
vail"
In Memorial Hall of the Daugh.
ters of the American Revolution the
statesmen Of five great powers and
the representatives OF four more
gathered to organize the way
through which they hoped to re
move causes which might lead to
war and then as q consequence re-
move the economic burden ano
waste the world suffers In prepare
tIon.
first session was set for 1o:3c
o'clock, the notabIes hegan arriV'
ing soon afLor 10 to hear the open'
ing address OF President Harding
and TO form the permanent cfgants
zation with Secretary Hughes as,
president OF the 6onteEeHc ce,.s
The meeting hall 'Was q picture
full Of color as the delegations and
spectators began to gather. IN the
center OF the big room WIS the con
ference table shaped as a square
u. The American delegation hac
chairs across the west end with the
French on the right and the British
tho left. To the right Of the French
wore the places allotted to the Jap.
anese, while the Italians had a cor
RESPONDING position directly oppo
site. At the foot OF the table and ct
tho smaller ones we're the Portu
gese, BelgIans, Dutch anil Chinese.
The first applause hearty and gen.
erous broke when Secretary Hughee
and the American delegation took
their seats. President Harding
came in at 1898 and Immediately
Secretary Hughes called he con
ference to order. Prayer was offer
ed by the Presidents pastor, the
Rev. W. s. Abernethy, OF Cavalry
Baptist church.
At the conclusion President
Harding arose and began delivery
OF his address, the text OF which
follows:
Mr.. Secretary and members of
the conference, ladies and gentle;
men: It Is n great and happy priv
ilege to bid the delegates to this
conference q cordial welcome to the
capitnl OF the United States OF
America. It is not only q sat.sfac
ton to greet you because we were
lately participants in common
cause, in which we shared sacrifices
and sorrows and trlumphs brought
out nations more closely together,
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
we2l or woe OF all mankind.
It Is not possible to over appraise
the Importance on such confer.
ence. It Is no unseemly boast, no
tisparagement Of other nations,
which, though not represented, are
held in highest respect, 10 declare
that the conclusions of this body
will have a signal influence on. all
human progression the fottunes OF
the world.
Here is meeting, can well be
lieve, which is an earnest OF tho
UWAhBA46us GCn6SA1AS0 VA G"SAbASS"
century civilization.
It Is snot a conyention OF re.
morse, nor a session Of sorrow. II
is not the conference OF victors to
define terms OF settlement. Nor is
It q council OF nations seeking to
remake humankind. It Is rather a
coming together, from all parts OF
the earth, to apply the bettor attrtb
utes Of mankind. to minimize the
faults In our international relation.
ships.
Speaking as official sponsor for
the invitation, think I may say
the call Is not of the United States
OF America nlone, it Is rather the
spoken word OF war-wearied
world, struggling for restoration,
hungertng and thirstinE for better
relationship; OF humanity crying for
relief and craving assurances OF
lasting peace.
It Is easy to understand this
world wide aspiration. The glory
OF triumph, tho rejoicing In achieve
nlent, tho love Of liberty the devo
tion to country, the .pangs Of sor
row, the burdens of debt, the desc
lation Of ruin all these are ap-
praised alike In NIL lands. Here IN
the United States we are but fresh
K ls-.HH tfSoI4f1D1NII ON 80 HFaFI t. -.