The Washington herald., 1921-12-31

II lhE conference OIL washington, the Snicago
Evening Post sees only the opening of pro-
gram conceived by President Harding months ago
to bring about international cooperation for
peace. harmony and good WILL" an orderly series
of great efforts for the betterment of the world,
in way prompted by passing cmotionalism. That
this is an evident truth is borne out by reliable
and widespread reports that the President wants
another conference to follow the present one.
Mr.. Harding's purpose in summoning the dele
gates to the initial gathering, says the Post, was
the result of deep purpose expressed by him to
intimate friends during the campaign a year ago.
He said then that if he were~eected he would use
his best efforts to bring about more friendly re-
lationship with the nations and thus open the way
Tor suggestion of practical means to settle disputes
between nations without resortng to force This
was to be his chiefest contribution toward peace
earth and good will to men.
49, President Harding has steadfastly pursued his
Lhosen course since he was elected. The result has
been what Mr.. Hughes has called the longest step
ever taken in the world for peace
THE fear of extremists that the United States
through the conferences should break away from
George Wsshington's warning against entangling
alliances has no foundation. The fundamental prin-
ciple that Mr.. Harding is putting into the treaties
Is not ENHANCEMENT but good will. There is the
plain pledge that where disputes arise between these
friends they will meet to discuss their differences
b instead OF rushing to the battlefield.
"'All things arc possible for solution and ad-
justment when friends get together. Heretofore
conferences to adjust differences between nations
have been dominated by the spirit not of friendship
possibly not altogether of enmity, but largely of
sclhshness. Each nation endeavorcd to sd-
vantage for itself even if it the disadvantage
ri the other nations. We may really hope that
America may have struck in this conference the
Jos of the common instead of the individual well
: iare.
There arc surely many acts along this line
which we as nation can be proud of in our treat
mcnt in the past. In the Boxer outbreak an in
dcmnity OF 100000 was awarded the United
States and we returned it to China to be used for
educational purposes. When Gen. Weyler
tortnring Cuba the United States did not hesitate
70 send its army and navy protect the island
from his wanton cruelty. And when the recent war
was brought about by the selfish aims of domi-
nance by a great nation, we helped to bring about
a defeat of this purpose, and yet-while other
tions received territory other 'reparations-our
nation declined take either land gold from the
conquered.
The conference now in session in Washington,
with all its to date, is but the beginning of
d program that President Harding has had in mind
Tor many months to bring about international
cooperation for peace. harmony and good will
His hands must be upheld The Christian thought
of America as we'll as of the outside world must
stand behind his effort He has gone too far to fail
OF greater goal 1t is not too much to ask in this
eason OF peace that the prayers of his people go up
iOr him.