Salt Lake Telegram | 1921-02-02 | Page 1 | Pershing Urges Disarmament Pact

t V IB W IS r W ( - C St ac mi mt mm a . , , . . . . dig m mi Commander in Chief Suggests That President-elect Harding Issue Is-sue Conference Call WASHINGTON, Fib. 2. Unless progress can be made toward ending world wars, we have reached a point where civilization may destroy itself, " TJeneral John J. Pershing told the houaa naval affalra committee today. Pershing added, however: "Until an agreement is reached among all the great powers, the United Statu must continue hernavwl and army program." Pershing favored efforta to brinir about a meeting of tha great powers to discuss armnment. and said ha hart high hopes such efforta -would he successful. suc-cessful. If President-elect Hardin -calls a disarmament conference, a. I tha posrara will respond, ha added UP TO HARDING. "The nation which declines to e"- Into tha conference should be vi. . with suspicion," Pershing said. Pershing also expressed tha opinion that tha world powero will receive verv favorably a rail from Preeldent-le t Harding for this conference. He man light of reports that Germany has a heavy hidden strength, and said It was unlikely ah can start another war soon. "A war between the United Btates and England is hardly conceivable."' he said. "With that lesson before us. in armament reduction meeting of the nations ought to b entered into very hopefully." TO ADMIT JAPAN. "Would you admit Japan, In view of her agreement with Kngland?" asked Representative Britten. . "Of course," replied Pershing em -phatically. AII tba power, must come in tha meeting." Pershing said civilians as well ss army and navy men should represent all natlona at theNronference. NEED OF CIVILIANS. "Military men might not be disposed to yield points ao easily as civilians," he explained. "It Is time for enlightened people tha world over to realise that aome rational ra-tional agreement muat be reached to relieve the world of Its great military burden and to prevent future wars." he continued. "If we can once get the nations together, their representatives around a table, some agreement may be reached."