The commonwealth., 1921-11-16

WUElH 3 hAUHfEdH DA ihiliioH5 "ho P"s
in peace and die in war wish their
statesmen To turn the expenditures
for destruction into means Of con
gtf7IciiDn. aimed at a higher state for
those who live and follow after.
at is not alone that the world
cannot rpadiust itself and cast aside
excess burdens without relief from
the leaders Of men. War has grown
progressively cruel and more destruc7
tive from the first recorded conflict
to this present day, and the reverse
order would more become our boast
ed civilization.
Gentlemen of the conference, the
United States welcomes you with un~
selfish hands. We harbor no fears;
we have no sordid ends to serve; we
suspect no enemy; we contemplate or
apprahend no conquest. Content with
what we have we seek nothing which
is another's. We only wish to do with
you that finer, noh!er thing which no
nation can do alone.
I'VE wish to sit with you ut the
table of international understanding
and good viii. In good conscience We
are eager to meet YOU frankly, and
invite and offer cooperation. The
world demands sober contemplation
Of the existing order and the reali-
zation that there can be no cure
without sacrifice not by one of US
but by all Of us.
II do not mean surrendered rights
or narrowed freedom, or denied as
pirations or ignored national neces-
sities, Our republic would no more
ask these than 1t would, give. No
pride need be humbled, no nationality
but | would have mer-
eence Of minds committing all of us
TO less preparation for war and more
enioyments Of fortunate peace.
"The higher hopes come Of the
spirit of our coming together. 1t is
but Just TO recognize varying nesds
and peculiar positions, Nothing can
be accomplished in disregard Of nat
ional apprehensions Rather we should
act together to remove the causes of
apprehensions. This is not to be
done in intrigue. Greater assur-
ance is found in the exchanges of
simple honesty and directness, among
men resolved to accomplish as be-
comes leaders among nations, when
civilization itself has come to its
crucial test,
at is not to be challenged that gov
crnment fails when the excess of its
cost robs the people Of the way TO
happiness and the opportunity to
achieve, If the sentiments were not
urging, the cold, hard facts Of ex-
cessive cost and the eloquence of ec-
onomics would urge us to reduce our
ornaments. If the concept of a bet
ter order does not appeal, then let
us ponder the burden and the blight
continued competition.
at il not to be denied that the
world has swung along throughout
the ages without needing this call
from The kindlier hearts of men. But
the same world never before was so
tragicallp brought to realization of
tragically brought 10 realization of
when reason and conscience and fel-
lowship point nobler way.
II can speak officially only for
our United States, Our hundred mill
lions frankly want less Of armament
and none Of war. Wholly free from
guile, sure in our own minds that we
harhor no unworthy designs, we ac-
credit the world with the same good
intent So, | welcome you, moi alone
in good will and high purpose, but
with high faith.
"We are met for a service to man
kind, In all simplicity, in all hon
asty and all honor, there may be
written here the avowals of a world
refined by the consuming
fires of war, and made more sensi-
live by the anxious aftermath. ii
lope for that understanding which |
viii emphasize the guarantees of |
Deace and for commitments to less
BURDENS and better order which will !
the world. In such an
there will be added |
ylory to your flags and ours, and the |
'eioieing Of mankind will make the |
music of all succeeding |