The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1921-08-26
ASKS POWERS
To FARLEY
Secretary Hughes Invites Allies
and China to Attend Dis
armament Conference.
IDENTlc TEXTS MADE PUBLIC
ga Practical Effort to Remove Causes
of Misunde rstanding" Is Given
as Purpose Arms Tax
Burden Cited.

Washington. Invitations to the
Washington conference on limitation
of ornaments and Pacific and Far
Eastern questions, to be held Novem.
Der II, were sent out by the State De-
partment.
Identic invitations were addressed
10 Great Britain, Japan, France and
to Italy. The invitation to China, tex
tually is the same, except that the sec
ond paragraph is eliminated because
of her status as a non-wartime nation.
The text of the invitation to the
four great powers follows
The President is deeply gratitied
at the cordial response to his sug-'
gestions that there should be a con-
ference on the subject of limitation
of ornaments, in connection with
which Pacific and Far Eastern ques-
lions should also be discussed.
Productive labor is staggering I'M
der an economic burden too heavy to
be borne unless the present vast pub
lie expenditures are greatly reduced.
1t Is idle to look for stability or the
assurance of social justice while waste
full and unproductive OUTLAWS deprive
effort of its just reward and defeat
the reasonable expectation of progress.
The enormous disbursements in the
riValries of ornaments manifestly con-
stltute the greater part of the encum-
brance upon enterprise and national
prosperity and avoidable or eXtrava-
giant expense of this nature is not only
without economic justification, but is
a constant menace to the peace of the
world, rather than an assurance of It's
preservation. Yet there would seem
TO be no ground to expect the hating
of these increasing OUTLAWS unless the
powers most largely concerned find
satisfactory basis for an agreement to
effect their limitation. The time Is be-
neved to be opportune for these powers
TO approach this subject directly and
in conference, and, while in the dis
cussion of limitation of armament, the
question of naval armament may
naturally have first place. 1t has been
thought best not to exclude questions
pertaining to other ornaments to the
end that all practicable measures OF
relief may have appropriate consid-
Grafton.
1t is, however, quite clear that there
can be no final assurance of the peace
of the world in the absence of the de-
sire for peace, and the prospect OF re-
duced ornaments is not hopeful one
unless the desire finds expression in a
practical effort to remove causes Of
misunderstanding and to seek ground
for agreement as to principles and
their application. 1t is the honest wish
.of this government that through an
interchange of views with the facili-
ties afforded by q conference, it may be
possible to find a solution of Pacific
and Far East problems, of unquestion-
ed Importance at this time. That is,
such common understandings with re-
spect TO matters which have been and
are of international concern, and may
serve TO promote enduring friendship
among our peoples.
IT is not the purpose of this govern
1nept 10 attempt to define the scope or
the discussion in relation to the Pa
cific and Far East, but, rather, to leave
this to be the subject of suggestions
TO be exchanged before the meeting OF
the conference, in the expectation that
the spirit of friendship and cordial
appreciation of the Importance of the
elimination of the sources of contro-
versy will govern the final decision.
Accordingly, in pursuance of the
proposal which has been made ana IN
the light of gracious indication OF lts
acceptance, the President invites the
Government of - 10 par
ticipate in a conference on the subject
of limitation of ornaments, In con
pection with which Pacific and Far
East questions will also be discussed
TO be held in Washington on the lltn
day of November, 1921
..---t Rt al Al " STATE