Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1921-11-17
President Tells Worlds States
men That U. S. Wants Less
Armament.
WARNS AGAINST INTRIGUE
Executive Voices Hope for Interna-
tional Peace and Better Under
standing Among Nations-Says
United States Has No Un-
worthy Designs.

Washington, Nov 14.-America took
leadership Saturday in the first
movement in history for the elimina-
I ton of International menaces that
+ threaten civilization with future war.
Reduced to simple terms, the United
/ States seeks:
First-To prevent competition among
the great powers in the construction Of
war maehinery-naval, land and air.
Second-To remove sources of inter-
national friction in the Pacific ocean
zone that may lead to future con
/ aict.
Recognizing the general belief that
the Far East is the new danger spot
America has sought the cooperation Of
eight other powers with vital interests
In the Orient to alay the danger of a
'neXt world war;
This is generally regarded as the
greatest humanitarian crusade in the
history Of mankind But it rs also a
practical schcme for material relief
from the overwhelming burden of taxa
ton and debt
Meeting Is Unique in History.
Tie veteran diplomats of Europe
who have participated in every impor-
tant international parley for the past
| half century characterized this meet
ing as unique in world history-a
meeting called in advance of war, de-
signed to prevent war, and voluntary
coming together of the great nations
to limit the size of each others armies
and navies
The President spoke from the head
of the great U-shaped table, around
which sat in rapt attention the states
men of Europe and Asia To the
right Of him sat France and Japan,
to the left Great Britain and Italy,
and down at the far end Of the horse
! shoe were the representatives of
China, Belgium and Portugal.
On either side of him at the head
of the table were the head of Amer
ica's representatives The galleries
were crowded with the entire mem
bership of house and senate members
of the cabinet, justices Of the Supreme
court and diplomats.
Text of Harding's Address.
President Harding delivered the fol-
! lowing address at the opening of the
| armament conference here:
Mr.. Secretary and Members of the
/ Conference, Ladies and Gentlemen:
1t is a great and happy privilege to
| bid the delegates to this conference a
| cordial welcome to the capital of the
| United States of America. 1t is not
| only satisfaction to greet you be-
cause we We're lately participants in a
| common cause, in which shared sac
ffficeS and sorrows and triumphs
| brought our nations more closely to-
gether, but it is gratifying to address
| you as the spokesman for nations
whose convictions and attending ac-
| lions have so much to do with the veal
or woe of all mankind
Will Influence Human Progress.
1t is not possible to over appraise
| the importance of such conference.
It is no unseemly boast, no disparage-
ment of other nations which, though
| not represented, are held in highest
respect, to declare that the conclu-
4 sions of tits body will have a signal
influence on all human progression
the fortunes of the world
Here is a meeting. | can well be-
| lieve, which is an earnest of the 4wak-
ened conscience of twentieth-century
/ civilization. 1t is not a convention of
| remofSe, nor a session of sorrow 1t
is not the conference of victors to de-
| fine terms of settlement. Nor is it a
| council of nations seeking to remake
| humankind. 1t is rather a coming to-
| gether. from all parts of the earth, to
apply the better attributes of mankind
| to minimize the faults in our inter
national relationships.
Call of War-Wearied World.
Speaking as official sponsor for the
| Invitation, | think | may say the call
| is not of the United States of America
alone, it is rather the spoken word of
! warwearied world, struggling for
restoration, hungering and thirsting
for better relationship; of humanity
crying for relief and craving assurance
OF lasting peace.
1t is easy to understand this world
wide aspiration. The glory of tri-
umph, the rejoicing in achievement,
the love Of liberty, the devotion of
country, the pangs Of sorrow, the bur
dens of debts, the desolation of ruin
all these are appraised alike in all
lands. Here in the United States we
are but freshly turned from the burial
! of an unknown American soldier,
when nation sorrowed while paying
I him tribute. Whether it was spoken
or not hundred millions of our
| people were summarizing the inexcus-
/ able causes the incalculabe cost, the
unspeakable sacrifices and the unut-
/ terable sorrows, and there was the
ever-impelling question: How can hui
manity justify or God. forgive? HUI
man hate demands no Sllch toll anbi-