Newark post., 1921-11-16
Address of Welcome at Arms Con-
ference


greet you because we were lately participants
in a common cause, in which shared sacrifices
and sorrows and triumphs brought our ma
tions more closely together but it is gratify-
ing to address you as the spokesmen for
nations whose convictions and attending ac-
tions have SO much to do with the veal or woe
of all mankind.
1t is not possible to overapprase the i'm
portance of such conference 1t is no un-
seemly boast, no disparagement OF other ma
tions which, though not represented, are held
in highest respect, to declare that the con-
clusons of this body will have signal in
huence on all human progression the Tor
tunes of the world.
Here is meeting, l can we'll believe,
which is an earnest Of the awakened con-
science of twentieth century civilization. 1t
is not convention of remorse, nor session
of sorrow. 1t is not the conference OF vlctors
to define terms Of settlement Nor is 1T
council of nations seeking to renake human
kind. 1t is rather a coming together from all
parts of the earth, to apply the better tributes
of mankind to minimize the faults in our in
ternational relationships.
Speaking as official sponsor for the invita-
ton, I think may say the call is not OF the
United States of America alone, it is rather
the spoken word of a War-wearied world,
struggling for restoration, hungering and
thirsting for better relationship; of humanity
crying for relief and craving assurances OF
lasting peace.
It is easy to understand this worldwide
aspiration The glories of triumph, the re-
ioicing in achievement, the love Of liberty
the devotion to country, the pangs OF sorrow,
the burdens of debt the desolation of ruin
all these are appraised alike in all lands. Here
in the United States we are but freshly
turned from the burial of an unknown Amer
ican soldier, when nation sorroWed While
paving him tribute. Whether it was spoken
Of "a yInI
summarizing the ineXcuSable causes, the IN
calculable COST the unspeakable sacrifices, and
the unutterabe sorrows, and there was the
ever impelling question: How can humanity
Justify or God forgive? Human hate demands
no such toll; ambition and greed must be
denied it. If misunderstanding must take
the blame then let us Danish it, and let under
standing rule and make good will regnant
everywhere All of us demand liberty and
Justice. There can not be one without the
other, and they must be held the unquestioned
possession of all peoples Inherent rights are
of God and the tragedies of the world or1gl-
nate in their attempted denial. The world
today is infringing their enjoyment by arm
ing to defend or deny, when simple sanity
calls for their recognition through common
understanding.
Out of the catacysm of the World War
came new fellowships, new convictions, new
aspirations. It is ours to make the most OF
them. A world staggering with debt needs
it's burden lifted. Humanity which has been
shocked by wanton destruction would mini
mize the agencies of that destruction. Con-
formulating the measureless cost of war and
the continuing burden of armament, all
thoughtful peoples wish for real limitation OF
armament and would like war outlaWed. In
soberest reflection the worlds hundreds of
millions who pay in peace and die IN war
wish their statesmen to turn the expenditures
for destruction into means of construction,
aimed at higher state for those who live and
follow after.
It is not alone that the world can not re-
adjust itself and cast aside the excess burdens
without relief fr omthe leaders OF men. war
has grown progressively cruel and more de-
structive from the first recorded conflict to
this pregnant day, and the reverse order
would become our boasted civilization.
Gentlemen of the Conference the United
States welcomes you with unsel1lsh handS
We harbOr no fears; we have no Tears; we
have no sordid ends to serve; we suspect nc
enemy: we contemplate or apprehend no con-
quest Content with what we have, we seek
nothing which is another's. We only wish tc
do with YOU that finer, nobler thing which ne
nation can do alone.
We wish to sit with you at the table OF
international understanding and good Will
In good conscience we are eager to meet yol
frankly. and invite and offer cooperation
The world demands sober contemplation Of
the existing order and the realization tina
there can be no cure without sacrifice, not by
one of us, but by all Of u.s.
do not mean surrendered rights, or mar
rowed freedom, or denied aspirations, o.
ignored national necessities. Our Republl
Would no more ask for these than it woul
live. No pride need be humbled, no nation
ality submerged, but | would have a mer
gence of minds committing all OF us to les
preparation for war and more enjoyment o
future peace.