The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-11-02
BRITAIN WILL GO AS FAR AS OTHER
 NATIONS AT MEET
Will Go Almost Any Length in Proportionate Effort to Re- lieve People of Arma-
 ment Burden
By Associated Press

proportionate effort to relieve their people from the burden of competitive armament.
 This declaration was made today by Lord Lee of Fareham. first lord of the British admiralty, and one of the official delegates of his country, who arrived on the Olympic with other delegates to the conference from Italy, China and Japan.
 Referring 10 the World war, Lord Lee said he had been convinced for years that Germany meant mischief ,and added that the lessons learned from that war were not confined to those learned from Germany.
 "The world" he asserted In a pre- pared statement, "has learned n wider lesson still--that militarism, wherever situated and however in- trenched. Is menace to civilization and must be given notice to quit
 That is what brings us to Wash ington, and. as l trust, we all go there in a spirit not merely of hope and sincerity but of fixed determina- ton to convert the Presidents lofty aspiration into a practical working agreement. the war will not have been fought in vain.
 Failure Impossible
 'So far as l am concerned. and here l speak not only as the respon- sible head of the British Admiralty but as one of the official delegates, I come in a spirit of quiet confidence that the results of this conference will be such as amply to Justify Pres ldent Harding's far-seeing initiative and, personally. I am not prepared even to contemplate the possibilities of failure. To do so would be to as- sume that the world was afflicted with an incnrable insanity and could not be restrained from suicide.
 The greatest needs of mankind to- day and for the future are peace and that relief from the burdens of war which peace ought to bring. No one recognizes this more clearly and fully than the British government and people and none has given greater proofs of sincerity In the pursuit Of those nigh objects. By their bold. and, so far lonely. lead in reduction of naval armaments, by .heir frank acceptance of the principle of edua f ; ty with America in the matter of naval strength, and also by the pres ent policy of conciliation and conces- sion in Ireland they made 1t clear to the world that they not only seek peace, but ensue it.
 Will Go Any Length
 It is in this same spirit of practi- cal endeavor that the British dele- gates come to Washington resolved that-short of compromising the safety of the empire or the sea se- curity upon which its very existence depends, betrayal of our ancient heritage of which they will never be guilty-they will go to almost any length to meet the otoher great naval powers in a mutual and proportion- ate effort to relieve our respective peoples from the intolerable burden of competitive armament"
 Italy according to Senator Carlo Schanzer. in statement issued on landing. has accepted most willing ly the invitation from the United States to take part in the confere- nee"
 "The undertaking of President Harding" he added, Constitutes an historical fact. the importance of which has not been misunderstood by any one.
 America, calling together the peoples of Europe ana Asia to dis cuss questions of world interest proclaims the principle that all man. kind constitutes one great organiza- ton and that If we want to enable this great organization to realize It's historical destiny. we must consider the question concerning the differ ent peoples not one e-sidediy, but from a general point of view, remembering that all peoples have an euqal right to develop themselves and progress.
 Real Place Guarantee
 The Washington conference will help toward the establishment Of such international relations as will be the real guarantee of peace among nations.
 Italy is inspired by the most loyal intentions. Our supreme ideals are the peace of the world and the re- construction of our national economy which. though disturbed by the con sequences of the war, Eys not been irretrievably ruined
 The Italian delegation goes to Washington with a sincere hope that complete agreement of ideals and sentiments with the American dele gation will help toward the success of the conference"
 Dr. V. K. Wellington Roo. Chinese minister to Great Britain, who heads the Chinese delegation, declared China would do it's share toward making the conference the success that the entire world hoped it would be.
 "One of it sobejcts." Dr. Roo said, lis peace and peace is the utmost de- sire of the Far East
 "Stablliaztion of China and recog- milton of her rights and liberties must be obtained" he added. and we appreciate the importance of the out come of this conference"
 Other delegates voicing confidence in the outcome of the conference were Count Constantini of Italy. the Right Hon. V. R. Sastri of India. a member of the British delegation, and General Otake. miiSary expert to the Japanese delegation.
 Steps Are welcomed
 We welcome with all our hearts any steps which may be taken to- ward a reduction of armaments," MT. Sartri said. Our own taxes, as a result of the burdens of war. have become intolerable, and our govern ment Is faced with heavy deficit and greatly restricted national re- sources"
 The delegations were met at quar- antine by representatives of the state department and officers of the army and navy.
 At the pier delegations from Itai- ian. British. Chinese and Japanese societies greeted the nations guests.
 tContinued on Page Twelve)