The New York herald., 1921-01-09
Tribute to Harding.

do the same.
Tribute 10 Harding.
Mr.. schurman began his address by a
warm tribute to Senator Harding.
What America is TO do in maintain
ing the peace of the world" he said,
will be settled by leader out in Ohio
He's a leader who has grown greatly in
the public's confidence largely because
of his capacity for consultation and his
nodesty and courage.
There are ideals Of human nature
that VIII be very potent factors in con-
slderation Of peace programme, but
there are also actualities that must be
taken into consideration. We must re-
member the fact that the European war
burst upon the world without American
statesmen being given a chance TO voice
a protest. Our diplomacy takes no part
in discussion of the affairs of other ma
tions, even although those discussions
may eventuate In war in which the
United States may become involved. j
believe the time has come when our
Ambassadors and other diplomatic
agents abroad must take the same in
terest in the affairs of other nations
that other diplomatists take. In the flu
ture any mistake of diplomacy by for-
is certain to involve the United States.
and for this reason our diplomatic SER
vice should be broadened."
DR. Schurman, who was once Ameri-
can Minister to Greece and Montenegro,
cited instances of international disputes
that came under his observation where
he believed, actual hostilities could hake
been avoided had there been present an
American diplomatic representative with
authority to express what Americas at
tltude toward the controversy would be.
On Disarmament.
On the question os disarmament DIR.
Schurman reminded his audience that it
was fundamental policy with the
United States.
But" he continued. never before
has America been in such a favorable
position to urge international disarma-
ment We are told shat we must have
an adequate navy. Adequate against
whom? Germany's navy is annihilated.
Russia's is gone. Those of France and
Italy cannot be regarded as menace.
That leaves only two other Powers,
Great Britain ard japan.
II share the sentiment expressed by
Senator Steling that war between Great
Britain and the United States is incon-
celNaDIe. L snare the opinion expressed
by Theodore Roosevelt that any dispute
that should arise between Great Britain
and the United States can be settled by
pacific means and the rule of reason.
That leaves Japan / was in Japan
eight months ago, and I want to say
that Japan is intensely desirous OF set
Ting any outstanding disputes with the
United States by peaceful means. There
is absolutely no doubt about that.
But there is another consideration
with regard to Japan. Competition in
naval armament between the United
States and Japan would be expensive for
US. But il would be absolutely ruinous
for Japan. and the japanese know It.
''I don't ask for naval disarmament
that would leave us with an inadequate
navy. But l ask from the point of view
Of actualitles if We should spend mill
ions just for the sake of having the
largest navy when there is nothing to
fear from other naval Powers, and those
Powers themselves are anxious to join
us in a programme of limitation OF
armaments. Now the time has come
when we may decrease our naval arma-
ments, and l believe 1t is the duty Of
the Government to do It,"
DIR. Holt, who was the representative
OF the League to Enforce Peace at the
Versailles conferences, outlined the ac-
complishments of the council, ass" nbiy .
secretariat and labor bureau cf le
league in the one year of its existent.