New-York tribune., 1921-11-04
u. S. and Britain
Control World.
Borden Asserts
Canadian Delegate to the
Disarmament Conference
Calls National Autonomy
Life of British Empire
Harding Aims Praised
Covenant to Insure Peace
Termed Essential to the
Welfare of All Countries

Sir Robert Laird Borden. Canad;aY
delegate to the disarmament confer
ence at Washington, said in an address,
at the Lawyers Club yesterday tina,
'he United States and England com
blned have a power unequalled ir
world affairs and that they cannot es
cape the solemn responsibility resting
on them.
Sir Robert said he recognized the
covenant OF the League of Nations tc
be defective in form, but he was con.
vlnced that it's purpose commanded the
intense support of the American peo.
pie. The speaker outlined the growth
OF representative government among
the nations that compose the British
Empire and said he disagreed with
those who believed autonomy OF the
dominions tended toward disintcgra.
ton Of the empire.
Covenant Is Praised
Whatever may be the defects OF
the covenant" said Sir Robert. ait is
surely a great thing that more than
thirty nations represented at the Paris
conference consecrated their futur.
endeavor to that supreme purpose
the enthronement Of public right and
maintenance Of the worlds peace.
Colonial rather than British states
men," the speaker proceeded. "6rst
saw that security and strength for the
British Umpire were to be found in
the complete autonomy and full liberty
that are the birthright of British self
governing nations. The Cabinet sys-
tenn or government which prevails in
the United Kingdom and in the self
governing dominions is wholly un-
Known to formal enactments of the
law. Unfettered by such enactments,
inc system admits Of fexibility and
aoaPtaolllty to new conditions and
needs as they may develop from time
to time.
"There are those in nv own country
who believe that these events tend
toward disintegration of the empire. I
affirm, on the contrary, that by this de-
velopment the integrity and security
or the British commonwealth can hast
be assured.
"The voice of that commonwealth in
world affairs must not be the voice Of
the United Kingdom alone. but the
voice OF all the British self-povern;nr
nations. This principle has been
wholly accepted both in the United
Kingdom and in the dominions. The
precise method by which it shall he
worked out in actual practice has not
yet been fully developed. 1t is con-
fronted with difficulties of undoubted
gravity, but none that are incapable Of
solution.
Solemn Duty Defined
wealths Of the world, the United States
and the British Empire, there rests
to-day solemn ponsibillty-solemn
as was ever imposed on any nations
1t was entirely for you to deter.
mine whether or not you should
enter the Covenant of the League Of
Nations. No one realizes more fuIlv
than myself that there were serious
defects in it's form, but am com
vineed that its purpose commands
the intense sympathy and full support
OF the American people.
The same high ideal has ;nsn;red
your President to convene the approach
ing conference at Washington. His
action has been welcomed throughout
the world and the nations join their
prayers Tor fulfil]ment of his cndeayor