Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1921-11-17

apprehensions. Rather, we should act
together TO remove the causes of APP
prehensions. This is not to be done
in intrigue. Greater assurance is
found in the exchanges Of simpler
honesty and directness, among men
resolved d accomplish as becomes
leaders among nations, when civiliza-
ton itself has come to its crucial test
ut is not to be challenged that gov
eminent fails when the excess OF its
cost robs the people of the way to
happiness and the opportunity to
achieve. If the finer sentiments were
not urging, the cold, hard facts of ex-
cessive cost and the eloquence Of eco
Monies would urge us to reduce our
armaments. If the concept Of better
order does not appeal, then let us
ponder the burden and the blight Of
continued competition.
at is not to be denied that the
world has swung along throughout
the ages without needing this call
from the kindlier hearts of men. But
the same world never before was so
tragically brought to realization OF
the utter futility of passions sway
when reason and conscience and fell
lowship point a nobler way.
II can speak officially only for our
United States. Our hundred millions
want less of armament and none Of
war. Wholly free from guile. sure in
our minds that we harbor no un-
worthy designs, we accredit the world
with the same good intent. So l
welcome you, not alone in good will
and high purpose, but with high faith.
eve are met for a service to man.
kind. In all simplicity, in all honesty
and all honor, there may be written
here the avowals Of a world con-
science refined by the consuming
fires Of war, and made more sensitive
by the anxious Aftermath. ! will EN-
phasize the guarantees of peace, and
for commitments to less burdens and
a better order which will tranquilize
the world. In such an accomplish
ment there will be added glory to
your flags and ours, and the rejoicing
OF mankind will make the transcend
ing music Of all succeeding time"
1t remained for Secretary Of State
Hughes, who had been elected as the
chairman OF the conference, IN his
address to bring home the real start.
ling points with the American pro
posals, which in very brief form fol.
low:
All capital ships on building pro
grams, started or projected should be
abandoned;
Further reduction should be made
by the scrapping of certain of ths
older ships;
In general regard should be had t
the existing naval strength Of tho
powers concerned in the conference;
TIE capital ship tonnage should be
used as the measurement of strength
for nayies with proportionate al
lowance for auxiliary combatan
craft.
That the great conference will beai
good fruit is confidently expected a:
many of the countries involved arc
snow weighed down greatly by ex
cessive taxes. as the result Of the
scramble cf the past years for nava
supremacy. The nations most 'af
footed by the limitation of armament
are Great Britain, Japan and the
United States.
The expectation is that the pro
posed ten year period of limitation
suggested by the United States vii
be increased, or that some of The
countries, at least, will suggest {
greater length of time.
Other matters that are expected t
work out of the suggestions Of thu
United States in the address Of Sec
retary or State Hughes, will be sug
gestions from other countries regard
ing submarines, aircraft, fortified
tions in the Pacific, etc.
OBITUARY
Erhrain, Tohn Nelson was bor,