The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-12-24
lBy Associated Prcssn

WASHINGTON. Dec. 24-The sub
marine problem and the new four
power treaty, the one constituting the
unfinished business of the arms con-
ferences and the other attracting in
creaslng interest because of the differ
ence in views between President Hard
ing and the American delegation, to-
night divided the attention of the
plenipotentiaries of the powers as
sembled in Washington
New prominence was given the
treaty discussion during the day BY a
public statement by the president,
eharacterlzing the difference over in
| depreciation of the pact as "unimport-
ant and declaring the American dele
gates had the full confidence" of the
White House
Mr.. harding added that the treaty
contemplated no alliance or entangle.
/ ments" and asked that lesser ques-
! tons of difference be not permitted to
/ obscure the central purpose of the
/ agreement to preserve peace and pro,
| vide means for friendly consultation
! as a means of settling international
! controversies.
Statement by President
| The presidents statement, which
! was delivered orally and then formally
given out, follows:
| THE president will offer no com
ment on disputes which attempt tc
| magnify the differing constructions or
the four-party treaty. To him these
are unimportant. The big things aim
ed at are understandings for peace ant
an agreement to meet and discuss the
preservation of peace whenever it i.
! threatened.
No alliance or ENHANCEMENT /:
thought of; none will be negotiated
1t would be better to rejoice owe,
things accomplished than to dwell OF
differing views which can be of NJ
great consequence. The president i:
unwilling that the unjustified charge
that the United States delegates ar,
Withholding information shall go un
challenged. He had full confidence
else he had not chosen them, and hC
has full confidence now, and is more
than gratified over their efforts, be
cause they are working out the great
est contribution to peace and gooC
Will which has ever marked thu
Christmas time in all the Christian
era.
ut is one thing to talk about tn
ideals of peace, but the biggest thinj
is to seek the actually. This the cor
: ference is doing. in harmony with a.
overwhelming American sentiment an,
. a world sentiment, too, and in full az
cord with cherished American trad
tons"
Believe Progress Made.
=, Replying to the question: DO 20
feel that the world has made grea
progress in the direction of peace an
: good will?" President Harding said
Il think l made some such reply t
: similar uestion at the last interview
; | do think so. l believe it with a
my heart. | do not say that with tn
4 thought of arrogating to the Unite
5 States of America any greater PAL
\ of the contribution than that whic
2 has been made by other nations of Xix
: Importance and civilization.
5 But it seems to me that in 1921, a
r we have come to know more fully tn
| aftermath of the war, as we hay
come to appraise the unsp~~kable cos
of it all, there is a new conviction
the hearts of men that that sort c
r appeal-the appeal to arms-tO settl
, the international questions is a fulfil
: thing, and that we are unworthy {