Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1921-11-24
HUGHES and HARDING
MAKE BIG HIT
PRACTICAL PLAN PRESENTED
MEETS WITH APPROVAL AT
OPENING CONFERENCE.

Believe me, he sure did tell 'em
exactly what ought to be DONE" said
i Jack, speaking of the opening of the
conference on the limitation of arm
ament, and the address made by
Secretary of State Hughes.
Yes, and the President made n
j 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 some
thing about the opening of the arms
conference.
| Riddles, 1t was a wonderful sight,
that opening of the greatest meet
| ing of the countries ever attempted
in the interest OF practical steps to-
ward peace. The whole meeting
was mighty impressive, particularly
so because OF the simplicity OF the
events. Usually when nations gath
er about the table of diplomacy there
must be lengthy speeches of welcome
and talk of all kinds, especially the
first day, with nothing accomplish
ed until later. IL then. But that In
NOT what happened at this meeting.
The entire gathering was greatly
surprised when Secretary Hughes,
| the temporary chairman, (who was
later chosen permanent chairmanD
arose and gave a definite program
/ for the Limitation OF naval arma-
ment. The program which was con-
else and to the point was positive ev-
idence OF the good faith of the Unit
ed States in calling the conference,
| for IL 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 ten
years the countries agree 20 naval
holiday when no more capital ships
| Chg ships) shall be built. That
would mean the saving OF millions OF
dollars that the people must now
pay in taxes. Further than that he
suggests that all capital shipbuild-
ing programs now in progress, that
is, ships either being built or plan
ned, shall be abandoned. In addi-
ton to this@he would reduce the ma
vies even further by scrapping (des-
troying) certain other older ships.
| All OF these suggestions had to do
4
ain and Japan and would leave the
navies in this order: Great Britain,
United States and then Japan. If
| this plan Is carried out the amount
Of tonnage to be destroyed by the
| United States would be S45,740.
that OF Great Britain 5S3,375, and OF
Japan, 44S,92S.
''Now children the best part of all
these plans as laid down by Mr..
Hughes, is, that the countries inter-
ested accept the principle OF the
plans. For example, here is what
J Prince Tolagawa. the head of the
Japanese delegation said: The prop
osition that was submitted to the
conference by Secretary Hughes, is
the most complete and logical that
| have heard When Arthur J. Bal
four, acting head OF the British deli
egation, spoke on the plan he stated
that no matter what might happen I'm
the natural discussions OF it, that
structure will remain as ii was pre-
sented by its original architects, for
the admiration and for the use OF
| mankind In addition TO these
bright signs of hope for real SET
| Element of this great question Is the
pledged support OF France and Italy
to the proposals, whose cases will be
| taken up later In che conference be-
cause 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
session with one of the finest talks
a President ever made. In many
ways to me. II was masterpiece.
want to read you something from It.
although you may have heard II be-
fore. yet II Is surely worth repeat
ing. Listen:
| Gentlemen Of the conference,
the United States welcomes you with
unselfish hands. We harbor NO
| fears: we have no sordid ends to
serve: we suspect no enemy: we
contemplate or apprehend no con-
quest Content with what we have.
we seek nothing which is another's-
We only wish to do with you that
finer. nobler thing which no nation
can do alone.
eve wish to sit with You at the
table of international understanding
and good will. In good conscienc6
we are eager to meet you frankly.
and invite and offer cooperation
The world demands sober contem-
plation OF the existing order and the
realization that there can be no cure
without sacrifice, not by one OF us.
BUT BY ALL OF u.s.
"That. children. tells MS the whole
story. II Is not necessary for any
nation to surrender any rights or cut
down its freedom All that Is nee
essary is to make, as the President
says, "a sober contemplation OF the
present status of things as they arc
today and to give up enough OF fight
ing machines to start on the road
which will lead TO the end of war
and the rainbow Of peace-PEACE
obtained sensibly and practically and
not peace in name at the expense OF
| fine phrases"