Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-08-12
8 powers INVITED
TO ARMS PARLEY
Allies and China Formally Re-
quested to Participate in
III Disarming Conference
TEXT OF NOTE MADE PUBLIC

Washington, Aug. 12.-Putting into
definite terms its proposal for us
armament conference, the United states
yesterday invited the great Powers to
nnite i'm "a practical effort TO remove
the causes Of misunderstanding and
90 facilitate reduction of the world 5
enormous outlay for the materials or
war.
In formal identic notes Of invitation
forwarded to Great Britain, France
Italy and japan the American Govern
ment pledged It's own unStintcd cooper
alton in such an effort and further de-
fined as follows its own conception OF
TIE principles involved:
That there can be no hope for peace
OF stability until the tax burden result
ing from heavy armaments has been re-
duced.
That such reduction is possible only
II troublesome international problems
ars solved by common consent.
That among these problems the Pa
cihc and Far Eastern questions occupy
position of 'unquCstiOned impOr-
tance."
That the question OF naval arma-
ments might well be considered first
though there should be no barrier 10
full consideration Of armemcntS of every
sort
Ask China to Participate
Coincident with the dispatch of
the invitations to the four great Powers.
China was asked TO send n delegation
to take part in those discussions Of the
conference which relate to the Pacific
and the Far East. All of the five ma
tions thus invited have Indicated in
formally that they would accept. and
formal responses are expected TO reach
Washington within Il few days. open
Ing the way for u more detailed pre-
liminary negotiation on the scope of the
conference
In every respect the note of invita-
tion follows the principles previously
defined by this Government in it's in
formal conversations with the other
Powers, but particular attention was
attracted by the suggestion that So
luton of the Far Eastern situation
should include common understand
Ing with respect to matters which have
been and are of international con
Germ.
State Department officials would not
interpret the text of the note. but the
general assumption here was that under
this definition a way would be found
10 discuss such questions as Yap and
Shantung, which "havc been" of in
ternational concern. but which Japan
now Is inclined to regard a. closed in
cidents
The text of the formal invitation to
the DiSarmng Conference is as follows /:
The President IS deeply gratitied at
the cordial response to his suggestion
that there should be a conference on
the subject of limitation of armament,
IN connection with which Pacific and
Far Eastern questions should be dis
cussed.
'Productive labor is staggering under
an economic burden too heavy to be
Dorne unless the present vast public
expenditures are greatly reduced. 1t is
idle to look for stability, or the assur-
ance OF social justice, or the security
OF peace, while wasrerui and unpro :
ductive Outlays deprive effort OF its just
reward and defeat the reasonable ex
pectation of progress The enormous
disbursements in the rvalries of arma
ments manfestly constitute the greater
part OF the enCumbrance upon enter
prise and national prosperity; and
aVoidable or eXtravagant expense of this
nature Is not only without economic
justification. but is a constant menace
to the peace of the world rather than
All assurance of its preservation.
Yet there would seem to be no
ground to expect the halting of these
increasing outlays unless the Powers
most largely concerned find a satisfac
cory basis for an agreement to effect
their limitation. The time Is believed
to be Opportunc for these Powers 10
approach this subject directly in con
ference; and while, in the discussion
OF limitation of armament, the Ques-
tion of naval armament may naturally
have first place. it has been thought best
not to exclude questions pertaining &c
other armament, to the end that al
practicable measures of relief may have
appropriate consideration. 1t may alsC
be found advisable to formulate pro
posals by which. in the interests OF hu-
manity, the use of new agencies Of war.
fare may be suitably controlled.
1T is. however, quite clear that there
can be no final assurance of the peace
of the world in the absence of the desir,
for peace, and the prospect OF reduced
armamcnts iS not a hopeful one unless
this desire fnds expression in praC
tical effort to remove causes OF mis-
understanding and to seek ground to
agreement as TO principals and thei
applications. 1t IS the earnest wish o
this Government that through an inter
change of views with the facilities af
forded by a conference, It may be- pos
sible TO find Il solution of PRcih,
and Far Eastern problems. Of unques
toned Importance Mt this time. that il
such common understandings with re
spect to matters which have been ant
are of international concern as ma,
serve to promote enduring friendship
among our peoples.
''lt is not the purpose Of this Gov
ernment to attempt 10 dem" the scrp'
OF the discussion in relation to the Pa
cifc and Far East, but rather to Icay,
this to be the subject Of suggestions I,
be exchanged before the meeting Of tn
conference in the expectation that III
spirit of friendship and a cordial ap
probation of the importance OF III
elimination of sources Of controversy
will govern the final decision
"AcCordingly, in pursuance Of IL
proposal which has been made, and IL
the light of the gracious indication o
its acceptance, the Prcslnent invites th
Government of Great Britain to par
ticipate in a conference on the sub
ject of Limitation of Armament. i
connection with which Pacific and Far
Eastern questions will be discussed, I
be held in Washington on the llth da
Of November, 1921"
Identical invitations wen
forward to Great Britain, France, Ital
and japan.