Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-02-06
HARDING REJOICEO
At PARLEY SUCCESS,
TELLS DELEGATES
Result Of Conference Inspires
World With New Hope, He
Declares.
NO WCT0RS, ONLY A
PERFECT AGREEMENT
Marks Beginning Of New and
Better Epoch Of Human
Progress.
SAYS ADIEU IN HIS ADDRESS
BY Associated Press TO Every Evening

Washington. Feb. 5.-The address
made by President Harding at the con-
session today OF the Arms Con
ference follows:
Mr.. Chairman and members Of the
conference:
Nearly three months ago n was my
privilege to utter 20 you sincerest
words OF welcome 10 the capital Of our
republic, 20 suggest the spirit In which
you were invited and 20 intimate the
atmosphere in which you were asked
70 confer. In every general way. per-
haps. / ventured to express a hope
for the things toward which our as
pirations led US.
Today 10 is my greater privilege,
and even greater plea sure 70 come TO
make acknowledgment. IL is one
OF the supreme compensstions Of he
to contemplate a worthwhile accom-
plishment
Gratifed Beyond Words.
1T cannot be other than seemly for
me. as the only chief OF government
30 circumstanced as 20 be able 70 ad-
dress the conference. TO speak con-
gratulations and to offer the thanks of
our nation. our people: perhaps / dare
volunteer 10 utter them for the world.
My own qualification is beyond my ca
pacity TO express.
This conference has wrought a truly
great achievement. II is hazardous
sometimes TO speak IN superla tives,
and | will be restrained. But 1 will say
with every conference, that the faith
pllghted here today. kept in national
honor, will mark the beginning OF a
new and better epoch in human
progress.
Stripped 10 the simplest fact, what
Is the spectacle which has inspired a
new hope for the world? Gathered
about this table nine great nations of
the earth-not all, to be sure, but
those most directly concerned with the
problems at hand-have met and have
conferred on questions OF great import
and common concern. on problems
menacing their peaceful relationship
on burdens threatening a common
peril. In the revealing light of the
public opinion of the world without
surrender OF sovereignty, without i'm
paired nationality or offended nation
al pride. a solution has been found in
unanimity, and today's adjustment Is
marked by rejoicing In the things ac-
complished. II the world has hunger
ed for new assurance it may feast al
the banquet which the conference has
spread.
Our People Supremacy Grateful.
II am sure the people OF the United
States are supremely gratihed and yet
there is scant appreciation how mar
velously you have wrought When til.
days were dragging and agreements
We're delayed. when there were OBJ.
stacles within and hindrances without
few stopped to realize that here wa.
conference OF sovereign powers wher,
only unanimous agreement could bs
made 10 rule. Majorities could not de.
eide without impinging national rights
There were no victors 10 command, n,
vanquished to yield. All had volun
tarily TO agree in translating the con
science of our civilization and Civ,
concrete expression 10 world opinion
And you have agreed in spite Of al
difficulties. and the agreements ar
proclaimed TO the world. No new stand
ards OF national honor have beel
sought but the indictments of ma
tional dishonor have been drawn, an,
the world is ready 10 proclaim tn,
odiousness OF perfidy or infamy.
Not New Step Toward Retirement
1T is not pretended that the pur
suit or peace and the limitations 0
armament are new conceits. or tha
the conference is new conceptio,
either In settlement OF war or II
writing the conscience OF internationa
relationship. Indeed IL is not new
70 have met In the realization OF war
supreme penalties The Hague con
sventions are examples OF the one. tn
conference of Vienna. on Berlin, o
/ versailles are outstanding instance
of the other.
The Hague conventions We're de
feated by the antagonism by the on,
Continued on page s.