New-York tribune., 1921-12-08
Parley Sure
TO Succeed,
Harding Says
| Speak,
He Tells Heads of Red
Cross, Predicting Step
to Avert Need for War


From The Tribune's Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, Dec. Tin two brief
addresses to-day the President de-
clared his confidence that the arma-
ment conference would succeed "be-
yond our fondest hopes" His audi
cnces were the general board Of the
American Red Cross, over which he
presided as president of the Red Cross,
and delegation representing the Ma
tional Board of Farm Organizations.
ut will be a wonderful thing" he
said to the Red Cross leaders, "for
you and for me to have lived in a pc
riod in which we have brought the
conscience of mankind into that under
standing where we shall have done
something tangible to prevens calling
upon you again for war service.
"And | like to say it to you, because
know whereof I speak," the Presi-
dent continued significantly, his voice
rising in emphasis. "We are going to
succeed beyond our fondest hopes"
The statement was greeted with ap-
plause.
Earlier in the day at the White
House the President told the farmers
delegation that the conference would
demonstrate the wisdom of interna-
tionally getting together. II don't
claim any special merit in calling the
conference" said the President. Glow
ever, it is happy augury to find that
just as much in favor of limitation as
farmers"
4 Grateful for Farmers Help
II cannot speak of the conference
other than to say that I expect very
gratifying results from it's delibera-
tions," the President continued
Moreover, this conference will demon
strate the wisdom of internationally
coming gether-nations facing each
other and settling problems without
resort to arms. 1t is. exceedingly
keartening during all Of the heavy
Executive to have the assurance that
the farmers Of the United States will
give hearty support to me in my efforts
to limit armament"
President Harding's speech to the
Red Gross officials was wholly unex-
pected, and to those who heard him it
was revelation of what has been
done.
"The Red Cross" said the President,
"is one of the finest manifestations of
the better side of America that have
ever been shown to ourselves or to the
world. l hope with all my heart that
much of the big work which has been
yours in the past will never be asked
Of you again. 1t will be a wonderful
thing for me and for you to have lived
iCH Vxyho !, tho
conscience of mankind into an under
standing where we shall have done
something tangible to prevent calling
upon you again for war service.
"And l like to say it to you, because
know whereof l speak. We are going
to succeed beyond our fondest hopes
it is going to be SO pleasant to be able
to say that because of things never
done before that we can do it now,
There isn't anything impossible when
the conscience of present-day civiliza-
tion is fixed on that accomplishment.
"And quite apart from our contribu-
tion to this new consciousness in the
world, quite apart from the immediate
to us, what a wonderful thing it is to
have lived and thought and acted in such
a way as to bring the deliberate in
telligent public opinion Of the world
to this conclusion. l am so proud OF
America. l don't mean in the sense
that we have heretofore boasted be-
comingly; don't mean in any mate
rialistic way, or in that magic accom-
plishment which is justly the pride OF
Americans, but l am proud of America
because have been the witness to the
radiation of American conscience and
American public sentiment to the
furthermost parts of the world.
Attitude Worldwide Influence
"You haven't any idea the influence
which the state of mind of this Re-
public has had on the other nations OF
The world in this very crucial and i'm
portant time. And it is so fine to know
that the rest of mankind accepts the
attitude of this great, powerful nation
much abler to 60 on in competition
for armament, much stronger to assert
it's demands through physical might
than. anybody else in the world to-day
and yet, notwithstanding that more
fortunate position of physical might
and financial strength, here is our Re
public asking nothing of anybody else
in the world except to join US in the
would wish and for which humanity
must rejoice.
"While have found many salts
faction in the knowledge of the tender
things and sympathetic things ane
helpful things and Christlike things
which you have done, it is a pleasure
to say that l hope your sympathies ant
your humanities and your gentler anG
sympathetic ministrations and your
generosity from this time on shall
more largely be applied to those inev
table nlisfortunes and those inescapa
Bile sufferings which come to people!
now and then in the peaceful cours,
of human affairs.
"There will never be time wher
there is not work to do. But how
much more comforting it is going t.
be to have the consciousness that yo,
are contributing to the alleviation O.
these inescapable sufferings of peace
rather than to be called upon in tn,
greater way as an agency to relieve tn,
sufFerings deliberately caused by war
If there is aught that can do in m.
titular connection with the order,
want the vice-presidents and the chair
man of the committee to call on m,
whenever am needed, because it vii
be a pleasure and comfort and com
pe3xation to serve with you on ever,
poEsfble occasion"