The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-11-10
ARMAMENT FARLEY
RAINBOW IN THE SKY
SAYS LLOYD GEORGE
Premier Discusses Washing
ton Conference and Irish
Question at Lord May
or'S Banquet


mayors banquet this evening as
sumed more than national Importance
when the prime minister replying to
the mayors toast to the cabinet min
listers followed the custom of such
gatherings at the historic Guild Hall
of speaking his mind regarding for
eign affairs
The tradition has been that the
prime minister must touch only on
foreign policies in his annual Guild
Hall speech. but in response to the
lord mayors suggestion that the
guests anxiously awaited news of the
Irish conference. Mr.. Lloyd George
quickly explained the statement made
early in his speech that ''the Wash
ington conference is like a rainbow
in the sky" and then passed to the
question OF Ireland.
He declared that there was a bet
ter prospect OF Great Britain's pro-
posals to Ireland being needed today |
and OF Ireland accepting the invita-
tion to enter the British common
wealth as an equal than for years,
but that the conference was still in a
critical stage. Beyond this he care
fully refrained from diyulging the |
results or the possibilities of the con-
ferences which are now being held
with the Irish representatives.
In his opening remarks, the pre-
mier alluded to the economic troubles
affecting the world, such as followed
the Napoleonic wars. He expressed
the conviction that the force of the
cyclone was already spent. and fol-
lowed with a recital of numerous
symptoms indicating that a revival
was coming, particularly the fact
that lin every land the slackness that
seemed to overcome labor is passing
away"
Settle Down to Work
"Thc world is settling down to |
work," said Lloyd George, and it is
work alone that will fill the depleted
tills which will enable purchasers to
come to the markets. The blue sky
is beginning to emerge; the Washing
ton conference summoned by Pres |
ident Harding is like a rainbow in |
the sky. For, without the assurance
of peace, restoration of business is
$ impossible. This conference comes
none too soon. So far the war has
not had the effect every sane man !
anticipated from, IL in arresting the |
growths of ornaments.
Nan Is the most unleaCndDle OF /
all animals. If you inflict punishment
upon any other animal he quickly |
learns the lesson. But, take the late
war, it was the most terrible destruc-
ton in the history of the world. For
that devastation competition in arms
is largely responsible. That lesson
was scourged deep into the flesh of
the world, and yet no sooner are we
out of 1t than the nations spend their |
c11h n eli mr. q ms cqir o
fresh engines for war; fresh subjects
spring up everywhere to justify war.
You might ina CINE that the one pur- |
pose and glory of national organiza-
tion was human slaughter.
ornaments today are thrice as
expensive in men and material as
they were before the great war; at
the present rate they will soon be leo /
times as destructive and terrible. In
peace the burden was crushing; in
war the effect will be too terrible to
contemplate.
Road to Human Safety
Disarmament is the only road to
safety to the human race. Suspi-
cions, fears, MISUNDERSTANDING even
quarreis, are as inevitable among ma
tons as among individuals. and. il
deadly weapon Is ready. at hand one
day they will strike. The American
conference has the future of civili-
zation in it's charge; therefore / ear
nestly pray for its success.
twenty-five years ago Lord Sal
isbury, in this room. expressed the
satisfaction which the people of this
country felt at the peaceful solution
which had just been reported of our
last serious difficulty with the
United States of America Every
man who is man of British blood
has been taught to regard a serious
quarrel with America as unthink
able. That attitude of mind is in
itself a guarantee of peace between
the two countries.
But this conference held under !
the auspices of America ought to
carry stage further; it is the ncui
cation of similar attitude toward
and between all other peoples. II
that is achieved at this assembly the
Washington conference will be the
greatest event of the last 1900
years"
OF the Irish negotiations he SAID !
In conclusion:
II cannot reveal any secrets of Tho
conference. room; that is the way to
bring a conference to nought. All I
can say Is that there is better pros
pect of our invitation to the peopl1
of Ireland to come into free partner ;
ship In the British empire as equals
being needed today than at any time
for years.
I'VE are not at the most critical
stage of the conference. There have
been many faults-not all on one
side. But 1 shall say nothing that
would make it difficult for us to ar
rive at an agreement. There are
three parties to the conference, all
with their own susceptibilities
Success depends on the extent you
can reconcile and accommodate those
differences of temperament of tradi-
ton and Of interests. In order to do
that all parties must be prepared TO
give and take"
Necessity for Peace
He repeatedly emphasized the ne
cessity OF peace. saying that it was
needed for the welfare of the en-
pire, as well as for the good relations
of the British Isles. The worst as
pect of "a family quarrel. he added.
was not only that 1t caused unhappi-
ness within the family but attracted
the attention of neighbors.
Declaring that there could be no
peace and that a great opportunity
would be lost If each party APP
preached the tangled problem deter
mined not to bulge an inch. he ex-
claimed: I'VE who are in tile confer
ence in behalf-of the British gov
eminent and people regard ourselves
there as the trustees of the empire,
the guardians of its honor and secu-
rity. 1t is a high trust; We promise
you we will not betray it."
The American amba ssador. Mr.. Har-
vey participated in the ancient GUS
tom of drinking from the lord may
or's loving cup and passed 1t to Lord