New-York tribune., 1921-10-13
Coolidge " arms r
OF Undue Hope
I'm Arms farley
Reminds Public Object OF
Council Is Limitation
in Na';ons' Competition,
Not Full Disarmament
Specia, Dispatch to The Tribune

SD1ciGs UiSpQtch 20 Ihc tribune
SPRINGFIELD, Mass, Oct. IA
warning to the American people against
undue optimism concerning the Con-
ference on the Limitation Of Armament.
which opens at Washington or Armis-
tice Day, was sounded by Nice-Presi-
dent Coolidge during his visit here to
open the Community Chest campaign
He declared that the public must not
underestimate the difficulties of the
situation confronting the conference,
and that they must bear in mind that
the object of the assembling of the
powers is to obtain a limitation of
armament, not total disarmament.
Mr.. Coolidge in statement en-
phasized that the gathering Of the ma
tions' representatives was not, properly
speaking, disarmament conference,
but 4 meeting to try to find basis for
q mutual reduction or limitation of
land and sea forces. Every well-in-
formed person knows" said the Vice
President, that it is impo ssible to do
away with a sufficient military estab-
lishment, both on land and sea, to pro-
tect the domestic peace of the nation"
He said that it was recognized that our
national rights must be protected, and
that force sufficient for this purpose
would not be "a great burden"
Fear Effect of Demonstrations
The Nice-Pres dents statement was
lnteres sting in view of the reports COM
ing from Washington that demonstra-
tions calling for disarmament are
being organized. Competent observers
at the nations capital are of the opn-
ION that such demonstrations may Civ
the foreign delegates the impression
that the United' States is hysterical
upon the subject Of disarmament, and
is anxious TO strip herself of her de-
fenslve strength at any price. His
statement follows:
"There is a distinct feeling of salts
faction in Washington over the sue
cess which has attended the plan pro-
posed by President Harding to call
conference for limitation of arma-
monts- Whatever obstacles the plan
first met on its presentation 20 the
ether powers appear to have been ad-
iusted. The four men chosen to rep
resent American views. Secretary
Hughes. Senator Lodge. Senator I'M
derwood and former Secretary Root,
have strengthened the belief that the
conference will be success.
at is happy circumsta tance that il
is meeting on the 18th day Of No
vember. The public shoNld
bear in mind that the gathering of the
conference is solemn occasion, that
il has q most irnportant purpose and
that nothing should be done to de-
tract from the freedom Of its delibera-
tions. 1t is the realization Of a great
need in the expression of great hope.
II ought to De permitted to proceed
without ANY attempt at officious
meddling and without any distortion
of the reports of its actione. The men
intrusted with the grave responsibility
which rests on the American delega-
tior know what the people desire and
what the necessary safeguards of our
freedom are. They can be trusted to
do all that can sbe done to secure these
objects.
Difficulties in Situation
"The difficulties Of the situation
should not be upderestimated. MANY
times there have been proposals for a
limitation of armament and several
times conferences have met for a like
purpose. 1t is not to be understood that
they failed to make progress because
they Did not 10 all that some had
hoped. Some Of the old difficulties
have passed away. The sentiment of
the world against war and in favor of
peace is very strong. There is every