The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1921-11-21
UNCLE TED'S G
BEDTIME STORIES. G
Hughes and Harding Make Big Hi
At Opening Of Conference.

| nv VpS"S Va SVhhV'c"''
Believe me, he sure did tell them
exactly what ought to be done" said
Jack, speaking of the opening Of the
conference on the limitation of arma-
ment, and the address made by Secre-
tary Of State Hughes.
Eyes, and our President made a
wonderful talk, too, so Uncle Ted told
me-" said Ruth.
Lets get him to tell us about those
talks" said Jack.
After the usual teasing, Uncle Ted
consented to tell them something
about the opening of the arms confer
ence.
Riddles, it was wonderful sight
that opening of the greatest meeting
of countries ever attempted in the in
terest of practical steps toward peoce
The whole meeting was mighty i'm
pressive, particularly so because OF
the simplicity of the events. Usually
when nations gather about the table
of diplomacy there must be lengthy
speeches of welcome and talk og all
kinds, especially the first day, with
nothing accomplished until later, if
then. But that is NOT what happened
at this meeting. The entire gathering
was greatly surprised when Secre-
tary Hughes, the temporary chair
man, (who was later chosen perman-
ent chairman) arose and gave def
mite program for the limitation of ma
val armament. The program which
was concise and to the point was posi-
tive evidence of the good faith of the
United States in calling the confer
ence, for it shows that we are ready
to act toward actually reducing arma-
ment."
Can you tell us what Mr.. Hughes
suggested be done?" asked Jack
Just this: That for at least ter
years the countries agree to naval
holiday when no more capital ships
(big ships) shall be built. That would
mean the saving of millions of dol
lars that the people must now pay in
taxes. Further than that he suggest
that all capital shipbuilding programs
now in progress, that is, ships either
being built or planned, shall be aban-
doned. In addition to this he would
reduce the navies even further by
scrapping (destroying) certain other
older ships. All of these suggestion
had to do with the United States
Great Britain and Japan and would
leave the navies in this order: Great
Britain, United States and then Japan
If this plan is carried out the amour,
Of tonnage to be destroyed by the
United States would be S45,74O. Tha
of Great Britain, 53S,375. and O
Japan, 44S,92S.
"Now children the best part of al
these plans as laid down by Mr.
Hughes, is, that the countries interest
ed accept the principle Of the plans
|, For example here is what Prince
Tokugawa, the head fthe japanese
delegation said: The proposition tina
was submitted to the conference by
Secretary Hughes, is the most com
plete and logical that l have evel
heard When Arthur J. Balfour, act.
ing head Of the British delegation
spoke on the plan he stated that nc
matter what might happen in the nat,
ural discussions of it, that structure
will remain as 1t was presented by its
original architects, for the admiration
and for the use Of mankind In addi-
ton to these bright signs Of hope for
a real settlement of this great ques-
ton is the pledged support of France
and Italy to the proposals, whose
cases will be taken up later in the
conference because of the peculiar
condition as a result of the war with
Germany"
Didn't President Harding make a
talk, too% asked Ruth.
Eyes, indeed he did," answered
Uncle Ted. "He opened the first SEES
sion with one Of the finest talks a
President ever made. In many ways
to me, 1t Is a masterpiece. I want TO
read you something from 1t, although
you may have heard 1t before, yet 1t
is surely worth repeating. Listen:
Gentlemen of the conference, the
United States welcomes you with I'M
selfish hands. We harbor no fears |;
we have no sordis ends to serve; we
suspect no enemy; we contemplate or
apprehend no conquest. Content with
what we have, we seek nothing which
is another's. We only wish TO do
with you that finer, noble thing
which no nation can do alone.
1--WE wish TO sit with you at the ia
BILE Of international understanding
and good will. In good conscience we
lare eager to meet you frankly, and In
yite and offer co-operatIon. The world