TOTAL DISARMAMENT

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 17, 14 October 1921, Page 7

TOTAL DISARMAMENT

NO HOPE OF REALISATION PRESIDENT HARDING DECLARES FOR LIMITATION SUBSTANTIAL RESULTS PROMISED President Harding says that disarmament is beyond hope of realisation, and oven its desirableness may be questioned at this time. He declares for reasonable limitation — something there would boa chanco to accomplish. By Telosranh- Pres* Asooclatten—Coovricnt Washington, October 12. Simultaneously with the assembling of tho American delegates to the Washington Conference, President Harding published a letter which is regarded as an effort to stem tho growing propaganda for complete abolition of armament. Hundreds of letters favouring such a step have been received by the President, who answered a letter from a number of women urging that ho should work for total disarmament, by declaring for reasonable limitation. The women asked an explanation of tho term "reasonable limitation.” The President’s reply, which has been published, said: "By 'reasonable limitation’ I mean something practicable—something there would be a chance to accomplish, rather than an ideal that there would be no chance to realise. It is necessary to deal with the actualities. Universal disarmament would be beyond the hope of realisation, and even its desirableness at this time might be questioned. A thousand years of history suggest that human nature would require a revolutionary reorganisation to make universal disarmament possible. Consideration of the present state 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 a world which is staggering under a load of debt for armaments has generously justified our hope for a favourable attitude toward the practical effort wo are attempting. To undertake the impossible and fail might leave our last state worse than tho first. Tho attitude of the nations warrants confidence. We will not fail; but substantial results will bo accomplished, calculated to lessen the armament burden and reduce the danger of armed conflict. — Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. JAPANESE DELEGATES’ SINGLE DESIRE TO COOPERATE IN ACCOMPLISHMENT OF DISARMAMENT. (Rec. October 13, 8.5 p.m.) Honolulu, October 12. The Japanese delegation to the Washington Conference has arrived. Admiral Kato, interviewed, stated’: "We are going to tho conference with a single desire, namely, to co-operate with other nations in the accomplishment of disarmament. We must not forget that real success depends upon the sincerity and earnestness of all the nations participating. Should a single nation lack sincerity wo cannot expect anything but failure. We believe it will rest with the nations possessing the strongest armaments to take the lead in the limitation of their own armaments to serve as an example to other nations. There should bo an unreserved exchange of opinion, with the sole aim of devising measures which may bo actually carried into effect. Agreements will bo unavailable unless practicable."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. AUSTRALIAN~REPRESENTATION INVITATION NOT RECEIVED YET. Melbourne, October 13. Sir Joseph Cook has replied to Mr. Charlton that the Federal Government had not conveyed its appreciation to President Harding for his invitation to Washington, as it had not yet received the invitation. —Press Assn. REPRESENTATION OF SOUTH AFRICA BEING CONSIDERED BY GOVVERNMENT. Cape Town, October 12. Tho Government is considering the question of representation at the Washington Conference. Present information indicates that it is unlikely that South Africa will bo represented.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.