Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-12-24
Mr.. HARD|NG'S
/. CHRISTMAS GIFT
TO THE COUNTRY
His Assurance That There Are
No EntangIements in
the Treaty.
ATTEMPT TO ALLAY
DOUBTFUL FEELINGS
His Statement Made Formal,
to Gathering OF News
paper Men.
INTENDED TO AID TREATY
ny Charles Brcwer' Farmer.

Washington, Dec. 24.President
rIarding's Christmas gift TO the Ma
tion is pledge that the Treaty Of
Washington contains no international
enlargement and that the arms
conference will negotiate none.
These sentiments. formally uttered
yesterday afternoon at the bi-weekly
conference with newspaper men, are
intended 90 allay the feeling Of sus-
picion toward the pact which has
been gaining momentum sincc the
President made his now-famous off
side diplomatic play last Tuesday
when he declared that tho Treaty did
not provide for the protection of ia
pan proper-a view contrary 10 that
Of all tho conference delegates, in.
Guiding Mr.. Hughes. who had signed
the treaty.
Tho Presidential statement was
nicely timed. as II viii appear in every
home town paper the country over
just a. the Senators alight from their
Christmas home going trains. II II
believed here in administration cir
eles that it may start 2 bsckflre
against the opposition TO the Treaty
which spring, Minerva-iike. fun grown
/ from the minds OF thoussn of
thoughtful people when It was dis
covered that the President and his
Premier did not agree on the treaty
provisions.
Tho healthy sentiment favorable q
the acceptance Of tho pact. which il
desired that Mr. Hardings statement
may arouse. is expected TO bolster-ur
the courage Of those senators in both
parties who tacitiy favored the Pacific
agreement until il was discovered that
/ differences of opinion had existed ir
Administrative quarters regarding ia
Interpretation. IL fs these men thai
must be held in line at all costs. The
rapidly forming battalion OF death.
with Senator Jim Reed in the com
rnanders saddle, cannot be entirely
stopped, byt recruiting in its rank,
may be discouraged If the people o.
america can he persuaded that tn,
ract is less dangerous than Reed anC
his satellites declare il to be.
This statement had been prepared
IL anticipation Of questions regarding
the pact. II reads in full:
The President will offer no COM
ment on the disputes which at
tempt to magnify the dinerihg
construction on the four-power
treaty. TO him these are un-im-
portant. The big things aimed at
are understandings OF peace, and
an agreement TO meet and discuss
the preservation of peace when
ever it is threatened.
No alliance or ENHANCEMENT is
thought Of; none will be negotiat-
ed. IL would be better TO rejoice
over things accomplished than to
dwell on differing views which
can be OF great consequence.
The President is unwilling that
the unjustified charge that tho
United States delegates are with
holding information shall go uu-
challenged. He has full confidence
now and is more than gratlfled
over their Efforts because they
are working out the greatest con-
trrbution to peace and good viii
which has ever marked the Christ
mas time in all the Christian era.
It Is one thing to talk about the
ideals of peace, but the bigger
thing is 10 seek the actualities.
This the Conference is doing in
harmony with an overwhelming
/ American sentiment and a world
sentiment, too, and in fun accord
with American traditions.
The President is desirous that h
views on this matter reach every ma
and woman in America. While no or
! in official circles today used the teri
j fair play" yet that is what is bein
called for by unofficial spokesme
! for the Administration who are tryin
To permeate some of the Christms
y spirit of charity and forbearance I'M
$ the coming treaty fight.
:. The President feels that the ey,
iof the nation should not be taken c
: the ball--to use an illustrative &c
: term. In this case the bali is the r
: moval OF the causes Of war in Il
Q Pacific. He holds that the Treaty
Washington is the first great step
hat direction
:. rhe Presidents view on this matt,
y. Continued on page 2.