Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-11-12
President Harding's Address
at Opening of Arms Farley

WASHINGTON. Nov 12-Presidcnt
Harding delivered the following address
at the opening Of the Conference ON
Limitation of Armaments and the Far
Eastern Question here today:
: Mr. Secretary and Members of the
Conference, Ladies' and Gentlemen:
1t Is a. great and happy privilege to
bid the delegates TO this conference a cor
dial welcome to the capital of the United
States Of America 1t Is Aot only salts
faction TO greet you because We were late
ly participants in a common cause. in
which shared sacrifices and sorrows and
trinmphs brought our nations more close
~ together, but 1t is gratifying to ad-
dress You as tho spokesman for nations
whose convictions and attending actions
have so much TO do with the veal or woe
of all mankind.
1T is not possible to over -appraise the
importance of such q conference 1t is
no unseemly boast. no disparag cement on
other nations which. though not repre-
scented. are held in highest respect to de-
clare that the conclusions of this body
will have signal influence on all human
progression the fortunessOf the world
Here is meeting. ] can well believe.
which Is an earnest Of the awakened con
science Of twentieth century civilization.
1t ia not a convention Of remOrse. not a
session of sorrow. 1t is not the confer
et1ce Of victors to define terms of settle
1HNDt. NOT IL II POunClt OF NATIONS seek
ing 10 remake humankind It is rather a
coming together from all parts Of the
earth. to apply the better attributes of
mankind to minimize the faults in our
International relationships.
Speaking as official sponsor for the
invitation think | may say the call is
not of the United States Of America
alone. IL Is rather the spoken word Of
war-wearied world struggling for
restoration. huneering. and thirsting for
better relationship: Of humanity crying
for relief and craving assurances OF last
ing peace.
EASY TO UNDERSTAND
WORLDWIDE ASPIRATION.
1t is easy to understand this world
wide aspiration The glory of triumph,
the rejoicing in achievement. the love
of liberty. the devotion to country. the
pangs Of sorrow, the burdens of debt
the desolation OF ruin-~all these are ap
praised alike in all lands. Here in the
United States We are but freshly turned
from the burial Of an Unknown Ameri-
can Soldier. when a Nation sorrowed
while paying him tribute. Whether II
was spoken or not a hundred million OF
our people were summarizing the mex
cusable cause. the incalcuiable cost. the
Unspeakable sacrifices and the unutter
able sorrows and there was the ever
impelling question: How can humanity
Justify or God forgiven Human hate
ueman ms no SucO tolls AnDltlou ana
greed must be denied 1t. If misunder
standing must take the blame then lei
ma Danish IT, and let understanding rule
and make good win pregnant everywhere
All Of us demand liberty and justice
There cannot be one without the other
and they must be held the unquestioned
possession Of all peoples. Inherent rights
are Of God and the tragedies Of the
world originate In their attempted denial
The world today ~ Infringing their en-
joyment by arnng To defend or deny
when simple sanity calls for their recog
milton through common understanding.
"Out Of the caiacyiEm ~ the World
war came new fellowshtps, new convic-
tions. new aspirations, II is ours 90
make the most ~ them. \ world stag
gerine with debt needs Its burden lifted
Humanity which has been shocked by
wanton destruction would minimize the
agencies Of that destruction Contem-
plating the measureless cost Of war and
the continuing burden or armament all
Thoughtful people wish for real Ilmita