The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-02-06
CBy the Associated PressJ

TO suggest the spirit in which you were
invited and to intimate the atmosphere In
which You were asked to confer. In a
very general way. perhaps, ventured TO
express hope for the things towards
which our aspirations led us.
To-day 1t Is my greater privilege, ana
even greater pleasure to come to make
acknowledgement. 1t is one of the supreme
compensation of life to contemplate worth
while accomplishment.
Offers Thanks of the L. S.
1T cannot be other than seemly Tor me
as the only chief of government so gu.
cumstanced as to be able to address tns
conference to sneak congratulations ana
to offer the thanks of our nation. our peO-
pie perhaps dare volunteer to utter them
for Inc word. Nv own qualification Is
beyond my capacity to express; ,-rIv
This conference has wrought LUZ
great achievement. II IS hazarun 1d vii
times 10 speak in supefiatives. anu anu, VIZ
he restrained But VIII say win IN 20.
confidence that the faith plightSd mere ne ne
day. Kept in national honor VII nat i n
beginning of n new and better epoch III
.'SfriDpad to the simplest fact. what Is
the spectacle which has, inspired new
hone for the world-gathered about inns "a
bile, nine great nations OF the ear 5iiroetiv
all ia be sure but those most dlrectIy
concerned with the problems at hana-haEe
met and have conferred on questions ~,
great import. and common c0nceiIn. "
ircbiems menacings their peaceful relation
ship. on burdens Threatening cOiniii0H
ptIIg,; the revealing light of the public
opinion Of the world, without SURRENDER OF
sovereignty without impaired nationally OF
offended national prlde, soi tIa1,s ad
been found in unanimity and TO-DAY ~ AZ
journment is marked by rejoicing IN the
things accomplished -. -,
"If the world has hungered for new as
surance it may feast at the banquet Wnlch
the conference has spread. - ,-nitod
II am sure the people or Lhe CHlteu
states are snpremely gratified and yet
there is scant appreciation how marVelOus
ly YOU have wrought when the DAYS NelT
dragging and agreements were DELAYED
hpu or obstacles
ORANGES without, few stopped 10 reIi ne
powers where only unanimous agreement
could be made the rule. MaJorltles coulu
not decide without impagning national
rights There were no victOrs to command
no vankuishL 10 yieldO All had Voiuhtarle
ly to agree in trafFSiating the conscience OF
our civilization and give concrete expires
sion to world opinion.
Overcome All Difficulties.
And YOU have agreed in spite of all diff
ficulties and the agreements are proclaimed
to the world. No new standards OF nation
nj hOnOrs have been sought but the mdict-
meuts of national dishOnOr have been drawn
and the world is ready to proclaim the
OdiOusncss of perfidy or infamy,
1t is not pretended that the pursuit
sf peace and the limitation of armament
are new conceits or that the conference
IS Y new conception OF internatlona1Isn Up
lndted. it is not new to have met IN the
realization of wars supreme penalties: Inc
Hague conventions are examples Of the
one. the conferences Of Vienna; OF Berlin
Of Versailles, are outstanding instances of
The Hague conventions we're defeated ty
the antagonism of one strong power
whose disposition to cooperate and sus-
tain led it to one of the supreme tragedies
Vienna and Berlin sought peace
founded On the injustices of war and
Sowed the seeds of future conflict and
hatred was armed where confidence was
1T is fair to say that human progress,
the grown Intimacy Of international rela-
In rnaVur llfr n
transporta ton attended by a directing
world opinion have set the stage more
favOrably here. You have met in that
calm deliberation and that determined
resolution which have made n just peace,
in righteous relationship, its own best
guaranty.
In shadows OF Wars Horrors.
. 1T has been the fortune OF this confer
ence to sit in n day far enough removed
wars horrors, 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 difficult undoing of their
decisions But your achievement is su-
preme because no seed or conflict has been
sOwn. no reaction in regret or resentment
ever can Justify resort to arms.
1T little matters what we appraise as
the outstanding accomplishment Any one
Of them alone would have justified the
conference but the whole achievement has
so cleared the atmosphere tnat It will seem
like breathing the refreshing air or a new
You have written the first deliberate
and effective expression of great powers,
in the consciousness of peace. of wars
utter futility and challenged the sanity of
competitive preparation for each other
destruction. You have halted folly and
lifted burdens and revealed to the world
that the one sure way to recover from the
eorrow and ruin and staggering obliga-
lions Of "a world war is to end the strife
in preparation for more of it. and turn
human energies to the constructivehess of
Sets ExamDle For world
"Not all the world is yet tranquillized
But here is the example to Undue with
new hope all who dwell in apprehension
At this table came understanding and
understanding brands armed conflict as
abominable in the eyes of enlightened
II once believed in armed preparedness.
7 advocated 1t, but I have come now to be-
leve there Is better preparedness in pub
to grant justice precisely it eNacts it.
And justice is better served in conferences
OF peace than in conflict at arms.
"How simple 1t all has been When you
met here twelve weeks ago. there was not
n commitment, not an obligation except
that which each delegation owes to the
government commissioning it. But human
service was calling. world conscience was
impelling. and world opinion directing.
mo intrigue, no offensive or defensive
alliances, no involvements have wrought
your agreements. but reasoning with each
other to common understanding has made
new relationships among governments and
peoples new securities for peace, and new
opportunities for achievements and at
tending happiness.
Are Contracts of Reason.
Here have been established the contacts
OF reason. here has come the inevitable
understanding Of face to face exchanges. !,
when passion does not tnflame. The very
atmosphere shamed national selfishness
into retreat Viewpoints were exchanged
differences composed. and you came to I'M
derstand how common. after all, are I'm
man aspirations how alike, indeed and
how easily reconcilable are our national
aspirations: how sane and simple and
satisfying 10 seek the relationship of peace
and security.
when you first met told you OF our
Americas thought to seek less Of arma-
ment and none. Of war; that we sought
nothing which is another's and we were
unafraid, but that we wished to 1oin Won
in doing that finer and nobler thing which
NO nation can do alone. We rejoice in the
accomplishment.
ut may be that the naval holiday here
contracted will expire with the treaties but
do not believe it. Those Of use who live
another decade are more likely to witness
a growth of public opinion strengthened
DV the PNnPrfPDFP which will ma Ep