Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1921-07-17


to get thing done is to call together
the persons capable of doing it and
setting them to their task He believes
that if the great powers cannot agree
upon satisfactory terms, then the
presence of all the other nations of
the world at the conference could not
change the result
No Sudden Impulse.
The conference on disarmament was
not the outgrowth of sudden impulse
by Mr.. Harding. nor was it superin-
duced by the Borah amendment to the
naval bill requesting conference with
Great Britain and Japan.
President Harding has had in mind
ever since the election the plan he
has now placed in operation. He was
rather annoyed that the matter should
have come into controversy in the sem
ate and it was because of his own plans
on the subject that he at first sug-
gested to senator's that they might
well leave the matter in the hands Of
the executive. The plans the presi-
dent was working out called for a
conference of wider scope than the
one contemplated by Senator Borah.
President Harding specifically out
lined his own plans in his inaugural
address little more than four months
ago. Washington, it must be admitted,
has been slow in appreciating the true
significance of what the chief execu-
tive then said.
Made His Idea Clear.
1t was then that he made clear his
idea of associating the United States
with the other nations rather than 60
ing into an association Of nations as
a fixed and continuing organization.
The first fixed plan however. was of
getting other nations to bring about
disarmament. The presidents inaugur-
al words make interesting reading now
in the light of subsequent events. The
president has just turned his back for
the third and last time upon the League
Of Nations when he said:
Il am sure our own people will not
nor will the world mis-
We have no thought to i'm
oede the paths to closer relationship.
We want to do our part in making of
.enslve warfare SO hateful that gov
arnments and peoples who resort to it
must prove the righteousness of their
'ause or stand as outlaws before the
'ar of civilization.
Ready to Confer.
We are ready to associate our-
selves with the nations of the world.
.reat and small, for conference. for
.ounsel to seek the expressed views Of
he world opinion, to recommend a
way to approximate disarmament and
efleve the crushing burdens of mill
airy and naval establishment.
In expressing aspirations, in seek
ng practical plans, in translating hu-
aanity's new concept of righteousness
md justice in its hatred of war into
recommended action, we are ready
aost heartily to unite, but every com
nittment must be made in the exer-
Use of our national sovereignty
President Harding has wanted the a
7erd to understand that the United N
'tafes is ready and willing to take up
$ share of the legitimate burden Of i
ivilization and is willing to consult
nth the other nations at any time
onsultation is deemed necessary.
Does Not Stand Aloof
He has wanted the world to know
nat the United States does not stand
loot and is not selfish. In fact he
eleves the unselfishness of the Unit,
- waves 10 q tniAS p1oNeu.
The president has emphasized time
nd time again that the United States
ould be willing to associate with tile
ther nations for counsel Despite
lese many statements there still ex-
is the notion that he has mad in
ind the creation of an association Of
ations in opposition to the League Of
atoms, using the term association
erely as synonym for league. Eu-
,pe during the past week has been
wing to figure ont il the disarmament
inference was to be the beginning of
lis RIVAL organization and some of
e stauncher supporters of the league
I'VE looked somewhat askance at the
opposition.
The disarmament conference is just
hat it purnorts to be and nothing
Sc. II may result in new world un-
it is true, but it viii be
understanding that the United
ates fully realisss. her paramount po-
lion in the world and has demon
rated her willingness 10 associate
til the other nations for TIE al i
ncement d the aspirations . hu-
auity.