The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1922-02-07

enough removed FROM wars bitter-
ness, yet near enough to wars hor-
rors. to gain the benefit Of both the
hatred Of war and the yearning for
peace Too often, heretofore. the
decades following such gatherings
have been marked by the difacult
undoing Of their decisions, But
your. achievement supreme be-
cause no seed OF connict has been
sown. no reaction In regret or re-
sentiment ever can justify resort to
arms.
It little matters what we appraise
as the outstanding accomplish
ment- Any one of them alone
would have justified the conference.
But the whole achievement has so
cleared the atmosphere that It will
seem like breathing the refreshing
air OF a new morn Of promise.
First Deliberate Repression.
You have written the first de-
liberate and effective expression of
great powers, in the consciousness
of peace, Of wars utter futility, and
challenged the sanity of competi-
tive preparation for each others
destruction You have halted folly
and lifted burdens. and revealed to
the world that the one sure way
to recover from the sorrow and
ruin and. staggering obligations of
a world war is to end the strife in
preparation for more of 1t, and
turn human energies to the con-
structlveness of peace.
Not all the world is yet tran.
quilted. But here is the example,
to Undue with new hope all who
dwell in apprehension. At this
table came understanding, and I'M
Outstanding brands armed conflict
as abominable in the eyes of en-
Iightened civilization.
once believed in armed pre-
paredness. advocated it. But I
have come now to believe there is
better preparedness in a public
mind and a world opinion made
ready to grant justice precisely rs
II exacts IL. And justice Is better
served in conferences of peace than
In conflicts at arms.
Points Out Simplicity,
How simple 1t all has been. When
you met here twelve weeks ago
there was not a commitment, not an
obligation except that which each
delegation owes to the government
commissioning 1t. But human sery-
Ice was calling. world conscience
was impelling. and world opinion d.
recting.
No intrigue. nS offensive or de-
fenstve alliances. no inducements
have wrought your agreements
but reasoning with each other 70
common understanding has made
new relationship among govern
ments and peoples. new securities
for peace. and new opportunities for
achievement and attending happi-
ness.
Here have been established the
contacts of reason, here have come
the inevitable UNDERSTANDINGS of
face-to-face exchanges when pas
sion does not in6ame. The very
atmosphere shamed national self
tshness into retreat VIEWPOINTS
were exchanged. differences COM
posed, and you came to under
stand how common, after all. are
human aspirations: how alike. In.
deed, and how easily reconciliable
are our national aspirations: how
sane and simple and satisfying 10
seek the relationships of peace and
security.
Told of o. S. Thought.
When you first met I told
you Of our Americas thought to
seek less of armament and none of
war; that we sought nothing
which Is another's and we were
unafraid. but that we wished TO
join you in doing that finer ard
nobler thing which no nation can
do alone. We rejoice in the ac-
complishment.
II may be that the naval holt
day here contracted wilf~-expIre
with the treaties. but do not BE-
neVe it. Those OF us who live an
other decade are more likely to
witness a growth of public opin-
ion, strengthened by the new ex-
perience. which will make nations
more concerned with living to the
fulfllment of Gods high intent
than with agencies of warfare and
destruction. Since this conferences
Of nations has pointed with unan-
unity to the way of peace today.
like conferences in the future, un-
der appropriate conditions and with
aims both well conceived and def
mite, may illumine the HIGHWAYS
and byways of human activity
The 80