The Washington times., 1921-03-08
HARDING ASKS
ARMED NATION
Insists on Adequate Defense,
But Will Join World in Cutting
Excessive Disarmament.
BY J. BART CAMPBELL.
International News Service.


Approximate disarmament" will
be the proffer of President Warren
G. Harding for world peace.
The phrase was carefully chosen
by the President as he stood upon
the threshold Of the main doorway
Of the White House early this morn
ing.
The President stressed the adjec-
tive, approximate" with special
emphasis, as, bareheaded and smil-
ing he faced the newspaper corre-
spondents pressing him for COM
mitment on disarmament.
MEANING Is CLEAR.
The infection he bestowed upon it
left no doubt as to his meaning.
What he said was brief and pointed.
but in an instant he conjured up the
American nation. unwilling to be dis
armed or unprepared for defense, but
willing to join with other nations in
abolishing excessive armament.
Republican leaders of Congress
were still rolling away in well-pol-
ished limousines from the brilliantly
Illuminated portico as the President
frankly discussed the long confer
ence he had had with them since early
evening.
There had been differences of opin-
ion between the Republican leaders
with whom he had conferred at
dinner and afterwards. He made no
attempt at concealment of the fact
Ranuh1inan ma -
Senate Finance Committee and the
House Ways and Means COMMITTEE
had differed as to whether tariff
duties or domestic taxation should
be revised first when the new Con-
gress convenes. But he indicated
he was hopeful that an agreement
would be reached after a careful
canvass Of the Senate and House Is
made.
WANTS FULL SENTIMENT.
The President made it plain he
did not desire that the impression
should go forth that it was his pur-
pose to consult only a small group
OF men who are the recognized Re-
publican leaders OF Congress. He
wanted to sound out the sentiment
OF the full Republican majority of
Congress. to ascertain the views of
other Senators and Congressman as
to what should be done to meet the
grave domestic problems confront
ing the country.
The conference was only a be-
ginning" the President said, "a be-
ginning In the touching of elbows
between the executive and legislative
branches OF our Government in a
determined effort. to solve the many
problems we face"
THE discussion was pleasing and
Interesting" he continued "It will
lead, L am sure, to good results. II
was not determined whether there
should be an emergency tariff at the
outset OF the new Congress, or
whether the question of revenue re-
vision should be first taken up. There
was wide divergence Of opinion as
tc that.
without committing ourselves to
details. we started upon the formul-
lation of a legislative program by
which we hope there will be much
progress made when the new Con-
gress is convened and which will lead
to the fullest cooperation between
the Executive and Congress
GOOD START MADE.
at is too early now to anticipate
Wnat the nrst steps VIII be when
Congress meets. We only discussed
domestic problems. Foreign questions
were by common assent left to future
discussion. There will be other con-
ferences. 1t is my purpose to keep in
close touch with Congress and it's
members as well as it's leaders. We
have made a good start"
Was there any proposal for one
bill combining tariff and the tax re-
vision discussed?" the President was
asked.
There was not" he replied. 1--WE
discussed both the tariff and taxation,
and the form the revision Of each
would probably take. That was all.
Without going into details, we
mapped out a program which we ex-
pect to see take definite and final
form satisfactorily. There Is much
to be done. but we believe it will
all be accomplished successfully.
I'VE believe the conference was an
important step toward the fulfillment
of that type of government, \of that
cooperation between the executive
and legislative branches. which we
regard as most likely to render good
service to the country. We have but
begun, hopeful that all will end WELL"
FORDNEY CALLS COMMITTEE.
80