New-York tribune., 1922-02-05
Foundation for World Peace Laid
BY Conference, Delegates assert


>WASHTNGTON, Feb. (By The AS
sociated Press In the closing mo-
ments Of to-day's session of the Wash
;ngton conference Arthur ]. Baifour.
head or the British delegation. said
that the decisions of the conference
would produce g snew era" over the
entire world, especially over that part
In which the great maritime powers are
deeply concerned.
"Thc center of our troubles had been
the peculiar problems that have arisen
in regard to China during the last
quarter Of century" said Mr.. Baifour.
"Thc relations between China and for
eign powers, and even more the rela-
tions between foreign powers on &C
count Of China, have caused endless
anxiety among statesmen Of the world.'
Adding. however, that he was not
certain that anxiety in regard to China
was at an end, Mr.. Balfour said it was
difficult 10 apply to China recent
schemes of political Sort
Mr.. Balfour contended that China
must work out her own changes Gin ac-
cordance with the changes of 8 chang
iIg world"
"All we ccr do is to help her," he de-
clared "She can gain little from our
advice and in the end must rely on her
self
A Great Step Taken
Mr. Balfour asserted that he believed
that the greatest step" had been taken
by the conference, under the leadership
sf the United States, in ironing out
difficulties arising from the Chinese
it should not be necessary for any ma
tion to 60 behind the present confer
ence for rules of conduct in regard to
the Far East.
Exactly twelve weeks ago. said
Mr.. Balfour, "the President of the
United States in an eloquent speech in
which he inaugurated our meeting
asked Us to approach our iabcrs with
full consciousness that we were work
ing fer the welfare Of mankind
Looking back over that twelve weeks
I think we can say without undue self
esteem that the advice so nobly ten
dered has been taken and we
hive had consciousness that we were
working in the service Of mankind"
My. Balfour said he could we'll be-
lievc that the mass of treaties, resolu-
tioNs and statements might cause a
maze and confusion in many minds.
Yet | Think he added. that those
engaged in the work, as well as those
who Will have the opportunity to calmly
consider t. will see that, in spite Of
the fact that we have travelled all over
'hc whole globe. seemingly, consider
ing trifing details. the great moral
questions have been met
IF YOU would really estimate The
magnitude Of our accomplishments,
east you eyes back only few months
ago. when spirit Of deep anxiety
ovcrshadowed the mind of every man
who contemplated the state of public
feeling in the Pacific area. Although
the world was still bleeding from the
wounds Of war men talked gibiy
about naval wars and our great mari
zine powers felt they were almost COM
mitted TO the fatal rivalry Of ship
building, { standing menace to its
peace.
Feeling Already Changed
"Such feeling" Mr.. Balfour con
tinued, "eXisted within the last year
He emphasized he was not talking
about ancient history, and added: May
rye not see IN the changed feeling of
men that already the work Of this con-
ference has produced its benefcent re-
suits. that already feeling, a mutual
feeling, of fear has given way to a
feeling OF a very different character"
The audience applauded a tribute by
Mr. balfour to Secretary Hughes, whom
he praised for his skill, his clearness
of thought his courtesy and his un-
varying patience On behalf of all
the delegates, Mr.. Balfour then ox-
pressed their gratitude to everybody,
including the official interpreter.
Speaking for France. Albert Sarraut
said il was too soon to he able to fully
realize the whole significance of the
conferences accomplishments, and that
all the delegations could return to
their homes with their heads held high
and with hearts confident that they
had done the best they could in the
interest of humanity.
The French delegations chief de-
clared his conviction that the confer
snce had gone a long way toward safe
guarding the peace Of the world and
lad created "a great example for his
tory"
VI. sarrsnt joined IN the expressions
sof Mr. Bafour in commenting the
achievements Of the conference.
''But We cannot write our own ap-
preciatlonS OF our work, he added,
''for it lacks the necessary perspective.
But IN our common endeavor we can
srecognize the good will that has been
shown on every side. The people Of
the nations which have been engaged
mere are studying our thoughts. They
viii sec whether they are good or not
While waiting for the final verdict
from each country every one can ask
%nether he has rightfully served the
cause.
No Sordid Thoughts There
When the inventory is being writ
ten" said VI. Sarraut. ~ am sure that
II will show that no sordid thought
ever entered the hearts of any of US"
; The delegates never lost siaht "of
,the altruistic idea tina, the establish
,nleEt Of peace was to be secured by the
Auppression OF war." Re asserted, add
sng that 10y diminishing the cauaes Of