Evening star., 1921-11-12
president POINTS
!; !, OUT WAY CLEARLY
Not Once Does He Mention
d an Association of
- Nations.
NO YIELDING OF RIGHTS
Problem of Far East and Pacific
Also Left Out of Open
:, ing Address.
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.

Without once mentioning an "asso-
citation of nations" President Harding
in opening the Washington confer
ence on limitation of armement3 to-
day clearly pointed the way, and eX-
pressed the hope that some well de-
fined understanding be entered into
by the nations involved which will
lead to less preparation for war and
more enjoyment of fortunate peace"
His address may be interpreted as
an opening for an international agree
ment such as that suggested in his
campaign speeches year ago. He
made no suggestion with regard to
the details of such an agreement
Chief emphasis inlhis remarks today
is laid upon the necessity of the cur
tailment of armament by the great
powers of the world. In fact. the limi-
tation of armament is to be key
lng-which may take the form
perhaps of an association of nations
No Mention of League.
No mention was made by the Presi-
dent of the league of nations, of which
all the powers attending the pres
ent conference are members with the
exception of the United States and
China: Yet his words; Nor it is a
council of nations seeking to re-
make mankind" may be considered
significant in view of the criticisms
of the league which have been made
in the United States.
That any association of nations
which might grow out of the present
conference would not go the lengths
of the league of nations covenant in
guaranteeing it's members allegiance
TO a kind of supergovernment, as
has been charged of the league, is
made clear by the President. He
the table of international understand
ing and good will. In good con-
science we are eager to meet you
frankly, and invite and offer CO.
operation. The world demands a
sober contemplation of the existing
can be no cure without sacrifice, not
by one of us. but by all of u.s.
Means No Surrender.
And then the President continued,
with emphasis: Il do not mean sur
rendered rights (no article X "or
narrowed freedom or denied aSpera-
tions or ignored national necessities.
Our republic would no more ask for
these than it would give
President Harding spoke directly
and. repeatedly of the demand of the
peoples of the world for relief from
( the burdens one taxation due to war
and preparations for war. the need of
limitation of ornaments.
The United States has shown itself
with large political powers, but the
United States has always been inter-
ested in any proposal looking to in
ternational peace and the reduction
of ornaments. 1t was not long after
the rejection of the Versailles treaty
and league covenant and the sweep
ing victory of Mr.. Harding at the
polls that the idea of an interna-
tional agreement for the limitation of
armamepts. in which the United
States could take part, thrust itself
to the fore. 1t offered itself-in
measure-as substitute for the
league as a possible basis upon which
the Harding Association of nations"
might be erected.
Apprehension Kept in Mind.
The problems of the far east and
the Pacific, named in the call for the
conference as subjects to be c6nsid-
cred here; were not mentioned by the
President in his opening address in