Evening star., 1921-11-12
Call of World
Resounds, Says
Mr.. Harding.
HUGHES CHOSEN
TO BE CHAIRMAN
Lack of Formally
on Occasion Adds
to Frankness.
BY N. O. MESSENGER.


Profoundly impressive. in a setting
dignifledly beautiful. were the cere-
monies attending the opening in Me-
mortal Continental Hall this morning
Of the conference Of the nations on
Limitation OF armament and for con-
sideration of Pacific and far eastern
questions.
The impressiveness of the occasion
was accentuated by the simplicity Of
the proceedings. the lack of formality
and by the atmosphere of frankness
and sincerity with which the object
Of the conference was invested by the
remarks Of President Harding and
Secretary Hughes.
To the surprise of the delegates
and the assembled off1cia1s. the Ameri-
can program for the Limitation of
very outset of the conference by the
head Of the American delegation, Sec
retary Hughes, who had also been
unanimously chosen as permanent
presiding oh1cer Of the conference.
- Evidence Of Good Faith.
This presentation of a concrete,
concise, readily understood program
for accomplishing the primary object
Of the conference-limitati of
armament-was overwhelming evil
dence of the good faith Of the United
States in calling the conference and
a practical demonstration Of the
willingness Of the United States to
offer the initiative in limitation
which will limit in fact and not in
theory-of naval construction.
President Harding, in his address to
the conference, dealt with the spirit
Of the great international meeting.
He voiced its aims as breathing the
wish of millions of peoples Of the
earth, and stated the hope of the
American people to be "less Of arma-
ment and none of war"
Proposal Put to Practice.
Secretary Hughes followed imme-
diately with a practical proposal to
carry out the object Of the confer
ence and to answer in part the pray
ers of civilization.
The President told what it was
hoped to accomplish. The head Of the
American delegation and presiding
officer of the conference followed with
q elear-cut proposition of how to set
about accomplishment.
It was a dramatic blending. The
audience. which had applauded and
Of objectives and purposes, deeply
appreciated the almost instantaneous
following up by Secretary Hughes
with Americas plan Of operation to
make good Americas professions OF
intent. Reading of the plan was vo-
ciferously applauded.
While frankly and in a spirit Of sac
rifice. suggesting what the United
States Is willing to do to lessen naval
armament, the plan of the American
delegates also made demands upon
Great Britain and Japan.
England Asked to Halt.
Great Britain was asked to stop
further construction on the four new
! ships of the Hood type, the new capi-
] tai ships not laid down, but upon
which money has been spent, with
further restrictions.
Japan was asked to abandon her
program of ships not yet laid down,
seven in number, the construction OF
mono Of these ships having begun. and
to make other concessions.
The center Of interest in the arma-
ment conference will turn to the an
| swer Of the countries thus challenged
by the United States to their definite
! program of armament reduction and
| Limitation.
What will be the answer? The par
T., ticipating delegations to the confer
| ence have been requesting to know
what the United States has to pro-
pose. The reply has been given in
| terms specific and technical, and it
| is noted that they are get forth before
| any phase Of the far eastern questions
! have been taken up. Secretary
! Hughes pointed out in his speech that
/ 1t will be possible to consider. the
latter concurrently through COM
| nniffAaa