PRESIDENT MESSAGE

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 August 1921, Page 5

PRESIDENT MESSAGE

NEED FOR PEACE. “STAGGERING BURDENS.” (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) WASHINGTON, August 11. llie'text of President Harding’s invitation to the Disarmament Conference reads as follows: —“The President is deeply gratified at the cordial response to the suggestion that there should be a conference on the subject of the limitation of armaments, in connection with winch tho Pacific and the Ear Eastern questions can also be discussed. Productive Labour’s staggering economic ‘ burdens are too heavy to be borne, unless the present vast public expenditures are greatly reduced. It is idle to anticipate stability, or an assurance of social justice and security for peace, while wasteful unproductive outlays deprive Labour of its just reward, and defeat the reasonable expectations of progress The enormous disbursements on, and rivalries in, armaments, manifestly con--stitute the greater part of the encumbrances of enterprise. Any national pro- ( pensity for this is not only without economic justification, but is a constant menace to the wood’s peace, rather than an assurance of its preservation. Yet I do not expect a halt in the increasing outlays, unless the Powers are largely concerned to find a satisfactory basis of agreement regarding limitation. The time is believed to be opportune for the Powers to approach the subject directly at a conference, and while the question of naval armaments may have first place in the discussion, other armaments will not be excluded. It may also be found advisable to discuss proposals whereby, in the interests of humanity, new agencies of warfare may be controlled. It is the earnest wish of the United States that, through the interchange of views at the conference, it may be possible to find a solution of the Pacific and Far Eastern problems, which are of unquestioned importance at this time. Such a common understanding respecting the matters which have been, and are, of international concern, may be of service in promoting an enduring friendship among our peoples. It is not the purpose of the United States to attempt to define the scope of the discussion on the Pacific and the Far East, but to leave it to exchanges of opinion before conference, in the expectation that a spirit of friendship will govern the Tinal decision. The President therefore invites Britain to the conference at Washington on November 11.” Identical Notes were sent to France, Italy, Japan and Britain.