New-York tribune., 1921-11-13


many mavGl u,aits by the powcrs +
ut is with a deep sense of
privilege and responsibility that
accept the honor you have conferred.
Permit me to express the most
cordial appreciation Of the assu-
RANGES Of friendly cooperation which
have been generously expressed by
the representatives of all the in
vited governments. The earnest de-
sire and purpose, manifested in every
step in the approach to this meet
ing, that we should meet the reason
able expectation of watching world
BY effective action suited to the op-
portunity are the best augury for the
success Of the conference.
"The President invited the govern
ments of. the British Empire, France,
Italy and Japan to participate in
tion of armament, in connection with
which Pacific and Far Eastern ques-
tions also would be discussed. It
would have been most agreeable to
the President to have invited all the
powers to take part in this con-
ference, but it was thought to be a
time when other considerations
should yield to the practical require
ments of the existing exigency, and
in this view the invitation was ex-
tended to the group known as the
principal allied and associated
powers, which, by reason Of the con-
ditions produced by the war, control
in the main the armament of the
world. The opportunity to limit
armament lies within their grasp.
interests in Far East
Get Full Representation
"It was recognized. however, that
the interests Of other powers in the
Far East made it appropriate that
they should be invited to participate
in the discussion of Pacific and Far
Eastern problems, and with the ap-
proval Of the five powers an invita-
ton to take part in the discussion of
those questions has been extended
to Belgium, China, The Netherlands
and Portugal.
"The inclusion of the proposal for
the discussion of Pacific and Far
Eastern questions was not for the
purpose Of embarrassing or delaying
an agreement for limitation of arma-
ment, but rather to support. that
undertaking by availing ourselves Of
this meeting to endcavor to reach
common understanding as to the
principles and policies to be followed
in the Far East and thus greatly to
diminish and, if possible, wholly to
remove, discernible sources of con-
troversy. 1t is believed that by in
terchanges of views at this opportune
time the governments represented
here may find basis of accord and
thus give expression to their desire
to assure enduring friendship.
"In the public discussions which
have preceded the conference there
have been apparently two competing
views; one. that the consideration of
armament should await the result of
the discussion of Far Eastern ques-
tions, and another, that the latter
discussion should be postponed un-
til an agreement for Limitation of
armament has been reached. l am
unable to find sufficient reason for
adopting either Of these extreme
views. think that it would be most
unfortunate If we should disappoint
the hopes which have attached to this
meeting by postponement Of the
consideration of the first subject.
"The world looks to this confer
ence to relieve humanity of the
crushing burden created by competi-
tion in armament, and it is the view
of the American government that we
should meet that expectation with
out any unnecessary delay. 1t is
therefore proposed that the confer
ence should proceed at once to con-
slider the question of the limitation
Of armament.
Russia Made World Plan
To Disarm 23 Years Ago
"This, however, does not mean that
we must postpone the examination Of
the Far Eastern questions. These
questions of vast Importance press
for solution. 1t is hoped that imme-
diate provision may be made to deal
with them adequately, and it is sug-
gested that it may be found to be
entirely practicable through the dis
tribution Of the work among desig-
mated committees to make progress
to the ends sought to be achieved
without either subject being treated
as a hindrance to the proper con-
sideration and disposition of the
other.
"The proposal to limit armament
by agreement Of the powers is not
new one, and we are admon;shad