Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1921-11-13
Rivalry In
Arn1annents
Must Stop
-SECRETARY HIYGHES
Permanent Chairman Says
World Looks to Conference
For Relief From Crush.
ing Burden.
Are Necessary


Washington, Nov. l2.-Secretary
Hughes, in his address accepting the
permanent craftsmanship OF the con-
ference on limitation OF armaments
spoke in part as follows:
Permit me to express the most
cordial appreciation of the assurances
of friendly cooperation which have
been generously expressed by the
representatives of all the invited gov.
ernments. The earnest desire and
purpose, manifested in every step in
the approach to this meeting, that we
should meet the reasonable expecta-
ton of a watching world by effec-
tive action suited by the opportunity,
is 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 a
conference on the subject of limita-
ton of armament in connection with
which Pacific and far eastern ques-
tions also would be discussed. The
opportunity to limit armament lies
within their grasp.
1t 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.
World Looks for Relief.
The world looks to this confer.
ence to relieve humanity of the
crushing burden created by COMPETE
ton in armament and it is the view
of the american government that we
should meet that expectation With
out auy unnecessary delay. 1t is
therefore proposed that the confer
ence should proceed at once 70 con.
slider the question of the limitation
of armament.
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 through the
distribution of work among deslg-
mated committees to make progress
to the ends sought to be achieved
without either subject being treated
as hindrance to the proper con-
and disposition OF the
Proposal Not New.
The proposal to limit armament
by agreement of the powers is not
A new one and we are admonished
bv the futility of earlier effort. IoI
put an end to these incessant arma--
ments and to seek the means OF
warding off the calamities which are
the whole word-such, is
the supreme duty which is today
imposed on all states.
it was with this sense OF obliga7
ton that his majesty, the emperor
Of Russia, proposed the conference
which was ito occupy itself with
his grave problem and which met
1t The Hague i, the year 1872.
1t was seven years later that the
secretary OF state of the United
States, Mr.. Elihu Root, in answer
nc note of the Russian ambassa-
ior suggesting in outline a program
If the second peace conference, said;
"The government OF the United
States therefore feels it to be its
iuty to reserve the liberty to pro-
,ose to the second peace conference
IS one of the subjects for considera-
ion the reduction or limitation OF
in the hope, that if moth
ng further can be accomplished,
ome slight advance may be made
oward the realization of the lofty
which actuated the en-
,eror of Russia in calling the first
onference."
Germany Opposed Plan.
II is significant that the imperial
German government expressed it.
elf as absolutely opposed to the
question of disarmament" and that
he emperor of Germany threatened
o decline to send delegates if the
ubject of disarmament was to be
discussed"
But by the reason of the obstacles
which the subject had encountered,
he second peace conference at The
Iague. although it made notable
rogress in provision for the peace
ul settlement of controversies, was
nable to deal with limitation of
except by resolution in
eneral terms.
This was the fruition of the ef-
orts of eight years. Although the
feet was clearly perceived, the race
preparation of ornaments, wholly
naffected by these futile sugges
ons. went on until it fittingly cul-
linated in the greatest war of his
Dry, and we are now suffering from /;
le unparalleled loss of life, the de-
.ruction of hopes, the economic dis. .
,cations, and the widespread i'm
overishment which measure the cost
the victory over the brutal pre-
.nsions Of military force.
But if we are warned by the I
adequacy of earlier endeavors for
OF armament, we cannot |
Ill to recognize the extraordinary I
oportunity now presented. S
We not only have the lessons Of
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