The New York herald., 1922-02-07
NEW AND BETTER EPOCH
TO FOLLOW CONFERENCE,
is HARDING,S PREDICTION
President Declares People of United States, While
Gratifed, Have Scant Appreciation of Delegates
Marvellous Work-Folly Halted and Burdens
Lifted by Peace Program
CONTINENTAL HALL, WASHINGTON. S-The ext of
President Hardings closing

the AIMS L conference LOIOWS.
You have written the first deliberate
and effective expression of great Pow
ers, in the consciousness of peace, of
wars utter futility, and challenged the
sanity of competitive 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
world war Is to end the strife in prep
aration for more of 1t and turn human
energies to the constructiveness of
peace.
Not all the world is yet tranquillzed.
But here Is the example. to imbue with
new hope all who dwell in apprehen-
sion. At this table came understand
ing and understanding brands armed
conflict as abominable In the eyes Of
enlightened civilization.
l once believed in armed prepared
ness. l advocated it. But i have
come now to believe there is better
preparedness in n public mind and a
world opinion made ready to s. ai's
justice precisely as it exacts It. lad
justice is better served in conferences
of peace than In conflicts at arms.
How simple it all has been. When
you met here twelve weeks ago there
was not a commitment, not an obli-
CATION except that which each dele
cation owes to the Government COM
missioning it. But human service was
calling, world conscience was impelling
and world opinion directing.
No intrigue, no offensive or defen-
sive alliances, no involvements have
wrought your agreements, but reason
ing with each other to common un-
derstanding has made new relation
ships among Governments and peoples,
new securities for peace and new OPP
portunities for achievement and at
tending happiness.
Here have been established the
contacts of reason here has come
the inevitable understandings Of
face to face exchanges when passion
does not infame. The very atmos-
phere shamed selfshness into retreat.
Viewpoints were exchanged, differ
ences composed and you came to un-
derstand how common after all are
human aspirations how alike, indeed,
and how easily reconcilable, are our
national aspirations how sane and
simple and satisfying to seek the re-
lationships of peace and security.
When you first met told you of
cur 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 and nobler thing which no ma
ton can do alone. We rejoice In the
accomplishment.
IL may be that the naval holiday
here contracted will expire with the
treaties, but do not believe It, Those
of us who live another decade are
moro likely to witness a growth OF
public opinion, strengthened by the
new experience, which will make ma
tions more concerned with living to
the fulfillment of Gods high intent
than with agencies of warfare and
destruction. Since this conference of
nations has pointed with manimity
to the way OF peace to-day, like con-
ferences in the future, under appro-
pirate conditions. and with aims both
well conceived and definite. may illu-
mine the highways and byways of
human activity, The torches of un-
derstanding have been lighted and
they ought to glow and encircle the
globe. Again, gentlemen of the con-
ference, congratulations and the graf
itude of the United States. To Bel
gium to the British Empire, to China,
to France, to Italy. to Japan, to the
Netherlands and to Portugal can
wish no more than the same feeling,
which we experience, of honorable and
honored contribution to happy human
advancement and new sense of Sc
curity in the righteous pursuits of
peace and all attending good fortune.
From our own delegates / have
known from time to time Of your ac-
tivities and of the spirit of concilia-
tion and adjustment, and the cheer
ing readiness of all of you to strive
for that unanimity so essential to ac-
complshment. Without 1t there would
have been failure; with 1t you have
heartened the world.
And i know our guests will pardon
me while 1 make grateful acknowl-
edgment to the American delegation
to you, Mr.. Secretary Hughes to
you, Senator Lodge to you, Senator
Underwood; to you, Mr.. Root, to all
of you for your able and splendid and
highly purposed and untiring en-
deavors in behalf OF our Government
and our people, and to our excellent
advisory committee, which gave to
you so dependable a reflex of that
American public opinion which charts
the course of this republic.
1t is all so fine, so gratifying, so re-
assuring, so full of promise that above
the murmurings of world sorrow
not yet silenced, above the groans
which come of excessive burdens not
yet lifted but now to be llghtened,
above the discouragements of a world
yet struggling to find itself after sur
passing upheaval, there is the note of
rejoicing which is not alone ours or
yours, or of all Of us. but comes from
the hearts of men Of all the world.