Pueblo chieftain., 1921-04-13
President Harding's Message to Congress

human problems is the race question.
Congress ought to wipe the stain OF
barbaric lynching from the banners of
free free and orderly s re. representatiye sen tive
many millions of people of African de-
scent are numbered among our popu-
lAtion, and that in . number of states
they constitute very large proper
tion of the total population.
1t is Unnecessary to recount the diff
ficulties incident to this condition, not
to emphasize the TACT that 1t Is .
condition which cannot be removed.
There should be suggestion, however.
that somo of its difficulties might he
amcliorated by humane and on
lightened consideration Of tt-a study
of it's many aspects and an effort to
formulate, IL not policy. at least
national attitude OF mind calculated
to bring about tho most satisfactory
possible adjustment OF relations be-
tween tho races, and OF each race TO
creation Of commission embracing
representatives of both races to study
and report on tho entire subject the
proposal has real merit. 1 am con-
WINGED that in mutual tolerance, un-
derstanding charity, recognition OF the
Iinterdepcndence of the races, and the
maintenance of the rights of citizen
ship lies the road to righteous ad-
ljustmont
| Unfinished Business
ut is needless to call your attention
from the preceding congress. The ap-
preparation bills for army and navy
Twill have your early consideration.
Neither branch of the government
can be unmindful OF the call for re-
duccd expenditure for these depart
n
government Is in accord with the wish
to eliminate tho burdens OF heavy
armament The United States ever
Twill be in harmony with such move
,mcnt toward the higher attainmcnts of
poace. But we shall not entirely dis
card our agencies for defense until
therc is removed the need to defend.
We arc ready to cooperate with other
nations to approximate disarmament
but merest prudence forbidx that we
disarm alone.
THAT program which had It's begin
ming in what seemed the highest as
surances of peace can carry no threat
after the latest proof of our national
unsclfishness. Tho reasonable limita-
tions OF personnel may be combined
with economies OF administration to
Hit the burdens of excessive delay.
The war department b reducing
the personnel Of tho army from the
maximum provided by law in June.
1920, to the minimum directed by con-
Eress in subsequent enactment
When further reduction is compatible
with national security 1t may well
have tho sanction of congress SO that
a system of voluntary military train
inS may offer to our young mani, 'od
the advantages OF physical develop
ment. discipline and commitment to
service and constitute the army re-
serve In return for the training.
| Ending the War
'Ncar'' two and ono-half years ago
the world war came to an end, and
yet We find ourselves today In tho
technical state OF war, though actually
at peace, while Europe Is at technical
peace. far from tranquility and little
progressed toward tho hoped for
restoration.
1T i'll becomes US to express In
aro not in, full agreement, when we
yourselves have boon unable TO bring
oonstituted authority into accord in
our own relations to the formally pro-
claimed peace. Little avails in re-
citing tho causes OF delay In Europe
on our own failure to agree But there
is no longer excuse for uncertainty re-
lspecting some phases OF our foreign
Relationship.
I'm the existing league of nations.
world governing with its super powers
this republic will have no part. There
will bo no betrayal OF tho deliberate
expression of the American people IN
the recent election. and settled in our
decislon for ourselves. It Is only fair
to say to the world in general. and TO
our associates in war in particular
sanction by Us.
The aim TO associate nations to
prevent war. preserve peace promote
civilization our people most cordially
applaudcd. We yoarncd for this new
instrument OF justice. but VIC can hAve
no part in "a committAl to any agency
of force in forcc in unknown con-
tingcncee. We can recognize no super
authority.
"Manifestly tho highest purpose of
tho league OF nations wss defeated in
linking IL with tho treaty OF peace
q and making IL tho enforcing agency Of
the victories of tho war. International
association for permanent peace must
/ bc conceived solely as an instrumental
4 ity of Justice. unassociated with the
passions OF yesterday. and not 40 con-
stitutcd as to attempt tho dual func-
tons OF a political instrument OF the
| conqucrcrs and OF an agency OF peace.
There can bc no prosperity for the
\ fundamental purposos sought to be
achieved by any such association so
| long as II is an organization OF any
particular treaty or committed to at
tainment OF special arms OF any ma
| ton or group OF nations.
Tho American aspiration. indeed
| tho world aspiration. WAS an aesocia-
tion of nations based upon the appli-
cation OF nations. based upon tho ap-
plication OF Justice and right. bind
ing us In conference and cooperation
for tho prevention OF war and point
| Ing tho way to a higher civilization and
| international fraternity in which all
tho world might share. In rejecting
tho league covenant and uttcring that
| rejection to our own people and to tho
world wo mako no surrender OF our
hopo and aim for an association to
promote peace in which We would most
heartily Join. We wish IL to be con-
! ocivod In peace and dedicated to peace.
and will rclinquish no effort to bring
tho rations OF tho world into such fell