Evening star., 1921-11-11
BY \. O. MESSENGER.


woild, to the end of lessening the
crushing burden of preparedness for
war upon the taxpayers of the nation;
removal by common agreement OF
possible causes of international fric-
ton in the Pacific and the far east
which might otherwise seemingly
render necessary maintenance of ar
mics and navies
This is the plain matter-of-fact
common-SenSe end i'll view OF the con-
ferenca now assembled IN the capi-
tai of the United States upon the In
vifation of President Harding; an
end which. while utilftarian. is also
humanitarian to the last degree. 1t Is
an object SO obviously necessary. so
conformable to the dictates Of justice
and right as well as Ordinary pru-
dence and Judgment as would seem TO
call for no argument in elucidation OF
it and to render failure IN achie'e-
ment unthinkable.
No Fine Words Needed.
No fine phrasing or intricate word
weaving should be necessary IN se'-
ting forth the purpose OF the con-
florence or justification therefor
There is nothing occult. mysterious
or superhuman Iii the propose
That is to say. it should not be be-
You'd human effectuation, aithoush II
:,
stacles incumber the road 10 h''a'
agreement.
But when the alternative of success
is considered it is 50 monstrous as
to minimize the gravity or the III I'M
pediments to an understanding. lhe
alternative is recognized by states
meh to be the likelihood OF IA riNaltS
among the nations for equailZat'oh
and supremacy of armament ehtali-
ing a burden upon INDUSTRY ana pi"f
duetivity in the leading nations ~
the world that will menace ciflliZa-
tion.
Let it be recognized that while the I'M
pulse for the conference comes from the
governments OF the powers, its motive
power and what created the govern
mental impulse rests with the peopiss
Of the lands whose governments are
participating; the untold millions OBJ
scure, struggling, striving for mere eN-
istance or reaching upward and onward
forebeeter things than they have.
should Assure Success.
TfaAsfact should assure the success OF
the,S3nference. What government or
groifp of delegates will dare to take a
position negative or aggressive which
woHHdefeat the end in view; who, IN
the luce of this world demand. will
havSSjhe temerity to present demands
or &Gfesist compromises which VIII de-
feat agreementc Who would assume
such responsibility to humanity and civ
iiZatton?
Secretary of State Hughes has fire.
quently emphasize the admonition that
this Is a conference. not court nor
jury. No nation or peoples are on
trial. No majority vote. with one or
more nations dissenting or protest
ing Shall determine the policy
finally decided upon. 1t must be
by unanimous consent which ma
turally will involve concessions,
sacrifice perhaps; forbearance and the
principle Of give and take.
The participating powers have chosen
their delegates from among their
greatest men, in recognition of the i'm
portance of the event and of the ques-
tions to be dealt with in the proceed
ings and final resolve of the confer
ence. The principal delegates com
mand the services of technical ad-
yisers in law, diplomacy and naval
and military warfare OF scores of the
best equipped officials of the nations
in their respective fields of endeavOl
and life work.
Steps to BE Recorded.
1t is noteworthy that the happiest
auguries attended the preliminaries
to the conference. indicated In the
cordial expressions of acceptance OF
this governments invitation, and en-
phasized by the pre-conference utter
ances of oncoming delegations pre-
dieting success of the enterprise and
pledging sincere and earnest cooper
alton in it's achievement.
1t is the purpose of this chapter to-
record the successive steps which
marked the calling and led up to the
assembling of the conference. and to
note their chronology. The world
promptly and enthusiastically re-
ceived President Harding's suggestion
for the meeting, and as it's possibili-
ties were revealed interest in the
event grew with each day.
1t was July 10. 1921, that official an
nouncemet was made of the first
move to bring about the conference.
There had been much talk the world
over of some international effort to
limit armament. President Harding
foresaw the advisability and neces-
sity of going further than efforts to
reduce military preparedness: he
would at the same time remove. as !
far as possible, the most immediately
threatening cause for their upkeep.
First U. y. Announcement.
The first public announcement of ,
the Department of State. under thai
date. declared that
The President, in view of the far
reaching Importance of the question
OF limitation of armament, has ap-
preached, with informal but definite
inquiries. the group of powers here
tofore known as the principal allied
and associated powers--that is, Great
Britain, France, Italy and Japan-to
ascertain whether 1t would be agree
able to them to take part in a con-
ference On this subject, to be held in
washington at a time.to be mutually
agreed upon. II the proposal is found /,
to be acceptable. formal invitations
for such a conference will be issued.
1T Is manifest that the question Of
limitation Of armament has close
relation to Pacific and far eastern
problems. and the President has sug-
gested that the powers especially in !
terested in these problems should un-
dertake in connection with this con-
ference tho consideration of all mat
ters bearing upon their solution with
q view to reaching a common under
standing with respect to principles
and policies In the far east. Thi.
has been communicated to the powers |
concerned. and China also has, been |
invited to take part in the discussion |
relating to far eastern 0rohlems" |
Nations Are willing.
By July 81 it was possible for the
Department of State to announce that |
Great Britain. France and Italy had |
expressed their approval and their !
readiness to receive the Presidents Z,
suggested invitation. Japan~was will |
ing to accept the invitation. but |
and nature Of subjects to be discussed
In connection with Pacific and far |
eaysefn questions. After conversa- :
tinasbet~een Secretary Hughes and !
theApaness ambassador at Wash |
tn1fA6 the charge d'affaires of the |
on MY % the following memorandum !
toxt9& imperial government |
government of the United
sfeMS dseply appreciates the readi- !