TOTAL DISARMAMENT

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14774, 13 October 1921, Page 5

TOTAL DISARMAMENT

IMPOSSIBLE AND QUESTIONABLE.

MR HARDING'S CONCLUSIONS. <

(Australian and N.Z. Gable Assn.) I' Received October 13, 9 a.m. WASHINGTON. October 12. ‘ Mr Harding, answering numerous re- > quests that he should urge total disarmament, states that this is impossible, and even its desirableness is now ‘ questionable. THE PRESIDENT’S LETTER. AN UNATTAINABLE IDEAL. MUST DEAL WITH REALITIES. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received October 13, 9-30 a.m. WASHINGTON, October 12.

Simultaneously with the assembling of the American delegates in Washing--ton for the conference, President llard- ; ing published a letter, which is regard- • ed as an effort to stem the growing' propaganda for the complete abolition of armaments. Hundreds of letters, favouring such a step have beeji re-.' ceived by the president, who answered, a woman's letter, which urged that h^'" v should work for total disarmament, by '• declaring for reasonable limitation. The , woman asked for an explanation of ths ; S term "reasonable limitation," and the * president's reply, which is published, • says, "By 'reasonable limitation' I mean '' something practicable, which there is a '. chance to accomplish, rather than ai ideal which there would be no chance - to realise. It is necessary to deal with the actualities, and universal disarmament would be beyond the hope of realisation, and even its desirableness at Ihis time might be questioned. Two thousand years of history sugjest that human,nature would require revolutionary reorganisation to make universal , disarmament possible. Consideration of the present stale of the world must enforce the conclusion that at this time it is not hopeful to undertake that kind of revolution. On the other hand, the ■■ %vorld is staggering under a load of debt and armaments which has justified our hope for the favourable attitude '. towards the practical effort we are attempting. To undertake the impos-' sible and fail might leave our last statq worse than the first. The attitude t the nations warrants confidence that weshall not fail, but that substantial results will be accomplished, calculate! to lessen the armament burden and reduce the danger of an armed conflict.".