New-York tribune., 1921-11-13

earnest OF the awakened conscience OF
twentieth century civilizations. 1t is
not a convention of rcmorse. nor ses-
sion Of sorrow It is not the confer
tlement. Nor is it council Of nations
seeking to rcmakc humankind It is
rather coming together, from all
parts of the earth, to apply the better
attributes of mankind to minimize the
faults in our international relation
ships"
MIR. Harding read along evenly. now
and again raising his head to look into
the faces of the delegates who watched
him intently.
"Gentlemen of the conference. the
United States welcomes you with un-
selfish hands" There the President
stretched forth his hand in friendly
gesture.
1--WE harbor no fears; we have no
sordid ends to serve; we suspect no
enemy; we contemplate or apprehend
no conquest Content with what we
have, we seek nothing which is an
others. We only wish to do with you
that finer, nobler thing which no ma
tion can do alone"
Shakes Head for Emphasis
In that section of the gallery re-
served for the Senators there was ap-
plause that spread to the Representa-
tives when Mr. Harding continues:
"All thoughtful peoples wish for real
limitation of armament and would like
war outlawed."
The President was shaking his head
for emphasis as he read now. Besides
his voice the only sound was that from
the rustlng of papers as those dele
gates who were reading French trans
lations of his speech turned pages. 1t
was eleven minutes to IL when Mr..
Harding said
IL can speak officially only for our
United States. Our hundred millions
frankly want less of armament and
none of war"
Now all the senators and the repre-
ssentatives were on their feet applaud
ing. The applause gained in volume.
Those in other galleries joined in and
the speaker was unable to continue for
half minute.
AS he finished Mr.. Harding bowed to
the delegates and in few seconds he
was gone from the room. Mr.. Hughes
said:
ut is understood to be agreeable to
the delegates that both French and
English shall be the official languages
OF the conference; and, in order that
time may be saved, as the address of
the President has already been dis
tributed IN both languages, it is as
sumed not to be necessary to have it
repeated in Interpretation.
lis that agreeable to you, Mr..
Briand?"
The Premier of France replied in
French briefly, and before he had sat
down NJ. Camerlynck, interpreter of
the League of Nations and the Supreme
Council of Ambassadors, who sat at
table inside the horseshoe, had trans
lated:
Il thank you, Mr.. Secretary. And
as you say, there has translation
been circulated. In order to save time
we shall not insist on having a French
translation of the speech
Gentlemen" said Mr.. Hughes, at is
IN order to proceed with the organiza-
ton Of the conference"
Balfour Speaks of Hughes
Mr.. Balfour, speaking in English,
said:
"The President of the United States
has, in his most noble and eloquent
address, given this conference a lead.
He has even provided it, if l may SO
say, with a motto in some of the last
~ NNS A'S SPoASs OIlupllClLy, honesty,
honor
There is we'll understood rule. per-
haps, SO far as I know universal, that
the nation which invites the conference,
the nation which offers that conference
hospitality, should also provide it with
its chairman and presiding genius.
That rule, I take it, would under any
circumstances be followed on the pres
eent occasion. But if I may do 50 in
his presence, | think that the Secretary
Of State has not only these technical
rights to our allegiance, but he also
has personal qualities which especi-
ally fit him to carry out the great and
responsible duties which fall to his lot
..-(There was applause there>-capac-
ity, character, courtesy, experience
all the great qualities required in
chairman presiding over a great as
sembly are his.
II therefore feel that l am not ex-
ceeding my privileges if I venture, on
behalf of my colleagues around this
table, to say that without going
through the vain and empty formality
Of resolution and a vote, we ask you,
Mr.. Secretary, to take the chair now,
and hereafter whenever this confer
ence meets, as on the present occasion,