Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1921-11-18
ENJOYS To ARMS
CONFERENCE HEAd
HARDING s PLEA
President Tells Worlds States
men That U. S. Wants Less
Armament.
WARNS AGAINST INTRIGUE
Executive Voices Hope for lnterna.
tiona Peace and a Better Under.
standing Among Natlons-Says
United States Has No Un-
worthy Designs.

worthy designs.
Washington, Nov. 14.-Amerlca tool;
leadership Saturday In the first
movement In history for the ellmlna-
tion OF international menaces that
threaten civilization with future war
Reduced to simple terms, the United
States seeks
First--To prevent competition among
the great powers In the construction Of
war machlnery--naval, land and mir.
Seconl--To remove sources of inter-
national friction In the Pacific ocean
zone that may lead to future con-
flict.
Recognizing the general belief that
the Far East Is the new danger spot,
America has sought the cooperation Of
eight other powers with vital interests
In the Orient to allay the danger Of q
next world war"
This Is generally regarded as the
greatest humanitarian crusade In the
history of mankind. But 1t is also a
practical scheme for material relief
from the overwhelming burden Of taxa
ton and debt.
Meeting Is Unique In History.
The veteran diplomats of Europe
who have participated In every impor-
tant international parley for the past
half century characterized this meet
Ing as unique in world history--a
meeting called in advance of war de-
signed to prevent war, and voluntary
coming together Of the great nations
to limit the size of each others armies
and navles.
The President spoke from the head
Of the great U-shaped table, around
which sat in rapt attention the states
men of Europe and Asia. To the
right Of him sat France and Japan,
to the left Great Britain and Italy,
and down at the far end of the horse
shoe were the representatives of
China. Belgium and Portugal.
On either side Of him at the head
Of the table were the head Of Amer
lca's representatives. The galleries
were crowded with the entire mem
bershlp Of house and senate, members
Of the cabinet, justices Of the Supreme
court and diplomats.
Text Of Hardine's Address.
President Harding delivered the fol-
lowing address at the opening of the
armament conference here:
Mr. Secretary and Members of the
Conference, Ladies and Gentlemen:
II is Il great and happy privilege to
bid the delegates to this conference a
cordial welcome to the capital of the
United States of America. II Is not
only a satisfaction TO greet you be-
cause we were lately participants In a
common cause, in which shared sac
riires and sorrows and triumphs
brought our nations more closely to-
gether. but IT Is gratifying to address
you rs the spokesman for nations
whose convictions and attending, &C.
lions have so much to do with the veal
or woe Of all mankind.
viii Influence Human Progress.
1t is not possible to over appraise
the Importance of such a conference.
II Is no unseemly boast, no disparage-
ment Of other nations which, though
not represented, are held in highest
respect. to declare that the conclu-
sions of this body will have a signal
influence on all human progression
the fortunes of the world.
Here is meeting, / can well be-
lieve. which is an earnest Of the awak-
ened conscience of twentleth-century
civilization. 1t is not convention of
remorse, nor a session of sorrow. II
is not the conference of victors to de-
fine terms of settlement. Nor Is 1t
council Of nations seeking to remake
humankind. 1t is rather coming to-
gether, from all parts of the earth, to
apply the better attributes of mankind
10 minimize the faults In our inter-
national relationships.
Call of War.WearIed World.
Speaking as official sponsor for the
Invitation, think | may say the call
Is not of the United States Of America
alone, II Is rather the spoken word Of
war-wearled world, struggling for
restoration, hungering and thirsting
for better relationship; of humanity
crying for relief and craving assurance
of lasting pence.
II Is easy to understand this world
wide aspiration. The glory of tri-
umph, the rejoicing In achievement,
the love of liberty, the devotion of
country, the pangs Of sorrow, the bur-
dens OF debts, the desolation of ruin
all these are appraised alike in all
lands, Here In the United States we
are but freshly turned from the burial
Of an unknown American soldier,
when nation sorrowed while paying
him tribute. Whether II was spoken
or not, a hundred millions Of our
people were summarizing the inexcus-
able causes, the incalculable cost. the
unspeakable sacrifices and the unut-
terable sorrows, and there was the
ever-lmpelllng question: How can hui
mainly justify or God forgive? HUI
man hate demands no such toll; ambi-