Vernon Parish Democrat. (Leesville, La.) 1917-193?, 1921-11-24
HARDING OPENS
ARMS MEETING
AT WASHINGTON
Worlds Diplomats Hear Presi.
dents Plea for Limitation
'Of Armaments.
U. S. WANTS LESS ARMAMENT
sour Hundred Millions Frankly Want
Less Of Armament and None Of War;
Declares 1--WE Rarbor No IN
worthy Designs and AccredIt
the World With the Same
Good Intent"

the World With the Same
Good Intent"
Washington, Nov. 14.-America took
leadership Saturday in the first
movement in history for the elimina-
ton Of international menaces that
threaten civilization with future war.
Reduced to simple terms, the United
States seeks:
F1rst-TO prevent competition among
the great powers in the construction Of
war maehinery-naval, land and air.
Second-TO remove sources Of inter
national friction in the Pacific ocean
zone that may lead to future con-
11ict.
Recognizing the general belief that
the Far East is the new danger SPOT,
America has sought the cooperation Of
eight other powers with vital interests
IN the Orient to allay the danger Of a
next world war"
This is generally regarded as the
greatest humanitarian crusade in the
history Of mankind. But it is also a
practical scheme for material relief
from the overwhelming burden of taxa
ton and debt.
Meeting ls Unique in History.
The veteran diplomats Of Europe
who have participated in every impor-
tant international parley for the past
half century characterized this meet
ing as unique in world history--a
meeting called in advance of war, de-
signed to prevent war, and voluntary
coming together Of the great nations
to limit the size Of each others armies
and navies.
Text Of HardIng's Address.
President Harding delivered the fol-
lowing address at the opening Of the
armament conference here:
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
cordial welcome to the capital Of the
United States Of America. It is not
only satisfaction to greet you be-
cause we were lately participants in a
common cause, in which shared sac
rifces and sorrows and triumphs
brought our nations more closely to-
gether, but it is gratifying to address
you as the spokesman for nations
whose convictions and attending &C
tons have much to do with the veal
or woe Of all mankind.
viii Influence Human Progress.
1t is not possible to over appraise
the Importance of such a conference.
1t is no unseemly boast, no disparage-
ment Of other nations which, though
not represented, are held in highest
respect, to declare that the conclu-
sions Of this body will have a signal
influence on all human progression
the fortunes of the world.
Here is a meeting, / can we'll be-
lieve, which is an earnest Of the awak-
ened conscience Of Notwithstanding
civilization. It is not a convention of
remorse, nor a session of sorrow. 1t
is not the conference Of victors to de-
fine terms of settlement. Nor Is 1t a
council Of nations seeking to remake
humankind. 1t is rather a coming to-
gether, from all parts of the earth, to
apply the better attributes Of mankind
to minimize the faults in our inter-
national relationships.
Call of War-WearIed World.
Speaking as official sponsor for the
invitation, l think may say the call
is not Of the United States of America
alone, it is rather the spoken word Of
war-wearied world, struggling for
restoration, hungering and thirsting
for better relationship; of humanity
crying for relief and craving assurance
of lasting peace.
It is easy to understand this world
wide aspiration. The glory Of tri-
umph, the rejoicing in achievement,
the love of liberty, the devotion Of
country, the pangs Of sorrow, the bur
dens of debts, the desolatiOn Of ruin
all these are appraised alike in all
lands. Here in the United States we
are but freshly turned from the burial
of an unknown American soldier,
when q nation sOrrOwed while paying
him tribute. Whether it was spoken
or not, a hundred millions Of our
people were summarizing the inexcus-
able causes, the incalculable cost, the
unspeakable sacrifices and the unut-
terable sorrows, and there was the
ever-impelling question: How can hui
mainly justify or God forgiven HUI
man hoto doroondr no s,1en foil. aVnh{