December 8, 1921. Opposing Irish Views.

On this day in 1921, the Irish President, Éamon de Valera, announced that he was opposed to the treaty negotiated in London, even though he'd left his delegates there virtually without instruction.  He did, however, say that he'd leave the matter to the Dail Eirann to decide.  On the same day, one of those delegates, Republican Arthur Griffith, stated that he was strongly in favor of ratifying the treaty.

The Anti Saloon League met in Washington D. C., although it seemingly would have had little to meet about.

Babe Ruth was selling Christmas Seals.

Wednesday, December 7, 1921 Peace and Violence.

President Harding at Red Cross meeting.

On this day in 1921 King George V summoned parliament while President Eamon de Valera summoned his cabinet, both to approve the Anglo-Irish Treaty securing independence for Ireland as a dominion within the British Commonwealth.  Norther Ireland's Stormont was asked by its head, Sir James Craig, to delay action on the agreement.

A riot ensued in Chicago when police attempted arrest striking meatpackers.  360,000 people would become involved in the riot.

Farmers group meeting with President Harding at the White House.

December 6, 1921. Ireland becomes the Free State.

Seal of the Irish Free State

The full treaty reads:

ANGLO IRISH TREATY

ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT AS SIGNED

on December 6th, 1921

1. Ireland shall have the same constitutional status in the Community of Nations known as the British Empire as the Dominion of Canada, the Commonwealth of Australia, the Dominion of New Zealand and the Union of South Africa, with a Parliament having powers to make laws for the peace, order and good government of Ireland and an Executive responsible to that Parliament, and shall be styled and known as the Irish Free State.

2. Subject to the provisions hereinafter set out the position of the Irish Free State in relation to the Imperial Parliament and Government and otherwise shall be that of the Dominion of Canada, and the law practice and constitutional usage governing the relationship of the Crown or the representative of the Crown and of the Imperial Parliament to the Dominion of Canada shall govern their relationship to the Irish Free State.

3. The representative of the Crown in Ireland shall be appointed in like manner as the Governor-General of. Canada and in accordance with the practice observed in the making of such appointments.

4. The oath to be taken by Members of the Parliament of the Irish Free State shall be in the following form:

I ...…................ do solemnly swear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of the Irish Free State as by law established and that I will be faithful to H.M. King George V, his heirs and successors by law, in virtue of the common citizenship of Ireland with Great Britain and her adherence to and membership of the group of nations forming the British Commonwealth of Nations.

5. The Irish Free State shall assume liability for the service of the Public Debt of the United Kingdom as existing at the date hereof and towards the payment of war pensions as existing at that date in such proportion as may be fair and equitable, having regard to any just claims on the part of Ireland by way of set-off or counter-claim, the amount of such sums being determined in default of agreement by the arbitration of one or more independent persons being citizens of the British Empire.

6. Until an arrangement has been made between the British and Irish Governments whereby the Irish Free State undertakes her own coastal defence, the defence by sea of Great Britain and Ireland shall be undertaken by His Majesty's Imperial Forces. But this shall not prevent the construction or maintenance by the Government of the Irish Free State of such vessels as are necessary for the protection of the Revenue or the Fisheries.
The foregoing provisions of this Article shall be reviewed at a Conference of Representatives of the British and Irish Governments to be held at the expiration of five years from the date hereof with a view to a share in her own coastal defence.

7. The Government of the Irish Free State shall afford to His Majesty's Imperial Forces:

(a) In time of peace such harbour and other facilities as are indicated in the Annex hereto, or such other facilities as may from time to time be agreed between the British Government and the Government of the Irish Free State; and

(b) In time of war or of strained relations with a Foreign Power such harbour and other facilities as the British Government may require for the purposes of such defence as aforesaid.

8. With a view to securing the observance of the principle of international limitation of armaments, if the Government of the Irish Free State establishes and maintains a military defence force, the establishments thereof shall not exceed in size such proportion of the military establishments maintained in Great Britain as that which the population of Ireland bears to the population of Great Britain.

9. The ports of Great Britain and the Irish Free State shall be freely open to the ships of the other country on payment of the customary port and other dues.

10. The Government of the Irish Free State agrees to pay fair compensation on terms not less favourable than those accorded by the Act of 1920 to judges, officials, members of Police Forces and other Public Servants who are discharged by it or who retire in consequence of the change of Government effected in pursuance hereof.
Provided that this agreement shall not apply to members of the Auxiliary Police Force or to persons recruited in Great Britain for the Royal Irish Constabulary during the two years next preceding the date hereof. The British Government will assume responsibility for such compensation or pensions as may be payable to any of these excepted persons.

11. Until the expiration of one month from the passing of the Act of Parliament for the ratification of this instrument, the powers of the Parliament and the Government of the Irish Free State shall not be exercisable as respects Northern Ireland and the provisions of the Government of Ireland Act, 1920, shall so far as they relate to Northern Ireland remain of full force and effect, and no election shall be held for the return of members to serve in the Parliament of the Irish Free State for constituencies in Northern Ireland, unless a resolution is passed by both Houses of the Parliament of Northern Ireland in favour of the holding of such election before the end of the said month.

12. If before the expiration of the said month, an address is presented to His Majesty by both Houses of the Parliament of Northern Ireland to that effect, the powers of the Parliament and Government of the Irish Free State shall no longer extend to Northern Ireland, and the provisions of the Government of Ireland Act., 1920 (including those relating to the Council of Ireland) shall, so far as they relate to Northern Ireland continue to be of full force and effect, and this instrument shall have effect subject to the necessary modifications.

Provided that if such an address is so presented a Commission consisting of three Persons, one to be appointed by the Government of the Irish Free State, one to be appointed by the Government of Northern Ireland and one who shall be Chairman to be appointed by the British Government shall determine in accordance with the wishes of the inhabitants, so far as may be compatible with economic and geographic conditions, the boundaries between Northern Ireland and the rest of Ireland, and for the purposes of the Government of Ireland Act, 1920, and of this instrument, the boundary of Northern Ireland shall be such as may be determined by such Commission.

13. For the purpose of the last foregoing article, the powers of the Parliament of Southern Ireland under the Government of Ireland Act, 1920, to elect members of the Council of Ireland shall after the Parliament of the Irish Free State is constituted be exercised by that Parliament.

14. After the expiration of the said month, if no such address as is mentioned in Article 12 hereof is Presented, the Parliament and Government of Northern Ireland shall continue to exercise as respects Northern Ireland the powers conferred on them by the Government of Ireland Act, 1920, but the Parliament and Government of the Irish Free State shall in Northern Ireland have in relation to matters in respect of which the Parliament of Northern Ireland has not power to make laws under that Act (including matters which under the said Act are within the jurisdiction of the Council of Ireland) the same powers as in the rest of Ireland, subject to such other provisions as may he agreed in manner hereinafter appearing.

15. At any time after the date hereof the Government of Northern Ireland and the provisional Government of Southern Ireland hereinafter constituted may meet for the purpose of discussing the provisions subject to which the last foregoing article is to operate in the event of no such address as is therein mentioned being presented and those provisions may include:

(a) Safeguards with regard to patronage in Northern Ireland:

(b) Safeguards with regard to the collection of revenue in Northern Ireland:

(c) Safeguards with regard to import and export duties affecting the trade or industry of Northern Ireland:

(d) Safeguards for minorities in Northern Ireland:

(c) The settlement of the financial relations between Northern Ireland and the Irish Free State:

(f) The establishment and powers of a local militia in Northern Ireland and the relation of the Defence Forces of the Irish Free State and of Northern Ireland respectively:

and if at any such meeting provisions are agreed to, the same shall have effect as if they were included amongst the provisions subject to which the Powers of the Parliament and Government of the Irish Free State are to be exercisable in Northern Ireland under Article 14 hereof.

16. Neither the Parliament of the Irish Free State nor the Parliament of Northern Ireland shall make any law so as either directly or indirectly to endow any religion or. prohibit or restrict the free exercise thereof or give any preference or impose any disability on account of religious belief or religious status or affect prejudicially the right of any child to attend a school receiving public money without attending religious instruction at the school or make any discrimination as respects state aid between schools under the management of different religious denominations or divert from any religious denomination. or any educational institution any of its property except for public utility purposes and on payment of compensation.

17. By way of provisional arrangement for the administration of Southern Ireland during the interval which must elapse between the date hereof and the constitution of a Parliament and Government of the Irish Free State in accordance therewith, steps shall be taken forthwith for summoning a meeting of members of Parliament elected for constituencies in Southern Ireland since the passing of the Government of Ireland Act, 1920, and for constituting a provisional Government, and the British Government shall take the steps necessary to transfer to such provisional Government the powers and machinery requisite for the discharge of its duties, provided that every member of such provisional Government shall have signified in writing his or her acceptance of this instrument. But this arrangement shall not continue in force beyond the expiration of twelve months from the date hereof.

18. This instrument shall be submitted forthwith by is Majesty's Government for the approval of Parliament and by the Irish signatories to a meeting summoned for the purpose of the members elected to sit in the House of Commons of Southern Ireland, and if approved shall be ratified by the necessary legislation.

On behalf of the British Delegation.	On behalf of the Irish Delegation.
Signed	Signed
D. LLOYD GEORGE.	ART Ó GRÍOBHTHA (ARTHUR GRIFFITH).
AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN.	MICHEAL Ó COILÉAIN.
BIRKENHEAD.	RIOBÁRD BARTÚN.
WINSTON S. CHURCHILL.	EUDHMONN S. Ó DÚGÁIN.
L. WORTHINGTON-EVANS.	SEÓRSA GHABHÁIN UÍ DHUBHTHAIGH.
HAMAR GREENWOOD.
GORDON HEWART.
December 6th, 1921

ANNEX

1. The following are the specific facilities required:

Dockyard Port at Berehaven(a) Admiralty property and rights to be retained as at the rate hereof. Harbour defences to remain in charge of British care and maintenance parties.

Queenstown(b) Harbour defences to remain in charge of British care and maintenance parties. Certain mooring buoys to be retained for use of His Majesty's ships.

Belfast Lough(c) Harbour defences to remain in charge of British care and maintenance parties.

Lough Swilly(d) Harbour defences to remain in charge of British care and maintenance parties.

Aviation(e) Facilities in the neighbourhood of the above Ports for coastal defence by air.

Oil Fuel Storage(f) Haulbowline, Rathmullen - To be offered for sale to commercial companies under guarantee that purchasers shall maintain a certain minimum stock for Admiralty purposes.

2. A Convention shall be made between the British Government and the Government of the Irish Free State to give effect to the following conditions:

(a) That submarine cables shall not be landed or wireless stations for communications with places outside Ireland be established, except by agreement with the British Government; that the existing cable landing rights and wireless concessions shall not be withdrawn except by agreement with the British Government; and that the British Government shall be entitled to land additional submarine cables or establish additional wireless stations for communication with places outside Ireland.

(b) That lighthouses, buoys, beacons, and any navigational marks or navigational aids shall he maintained by the Government of the Irish Free State as at the date hereof and shall not be removed or added to except by agreement with the British Government.

(c) That war signal stations shall be closed down and left in charge of care and maintenance parties, the Government of the Irish Free State being offered the option of taking them over and working them for commercial purposes subject to Admiralty inspection, and guaranteeing the upkeep of existing telegraphic communication therewith.

3. A Convention shall be made between the same Governments for the regulation of Civil Communication by Air.

D. LL. G. A.C.

B.

W. S. C. E. S. O D.

A. G. M. O C. R. B. S. G. D.

The treaty ended the Anglo-Irish War and established Ireland, as the Irish Free State, as a British dominion.  It was, however, very clearly a compromise and due to Éamon de Valera's betrayal of his negotiators, it led nearly immediately to the Irish Civil War, which would break out that following June and feature all the bloodshed and violence typical to internecine warfare.

An odd sticking point for the Irish would prove to be the retained oath of allegiance for the Irish parliament.  It had been removed for Irish government employees, but an oath that had been worked out for the parliament remained.  To some degree, the Irish went to war with each other over that.

President Harding delivered his State of the Union address in person, breaking with recent tradition.

On the same day, the Congressional Record published the names of 11,000 World War One draft dodgers at the request of the Department of War.

Mackenzie King's Liberal Party won the Canadian election by a landslide.  Agnes Macphail became the first Canadian parliamentarian in the election.

Monday December 5, 1921. Reflections from a distant mirror.

A Joint Congressional committee called upon President Harding to inform him of the opening of the 67th Congress.

The 67th Congress of the United States convened.  It had been elected more than a year earlier, so suffice it to say, things were not going swimmingly, something we can appreciate now.

The first bill they considered was the budget for the following year, which ran a deficit, something we're also familiar with now.

In London, Irish delegates met with British ones and came to a compromise in which Northern Ireland could choose to remain separate from Southern Ireland and an oath of allegiance would only be administered to members of the Irish parliament.  Ireland would accept dominion status.

The Irish negotiators were in the difficult position of receiving very little in the way of instruction from the Irish President Éamon de Valera who remained in Ireland during negotiations and who simply gave the negotiators nearly carte blanc authority.  The compromise reached was a real one, giving up on dreams of an Irish republic and accepting an ongoing connection with the United Kingdom, although that no doubt reflected the wishes of most of the Irish.

The British football association banned women from the game.

 

The United States Supreme court upheld picketing during labor strikes as an exercise of the 1st Amendment.

December 4, 1921. Stalled

The Irish delegation rejected British proposals for dominion status for Ireland, partition of Ulster away from southern Ireland, and administration of an oath of allegiance to Irish governmental employees and members of the Irish parliament.

And it looked like the Arbuckle jury was having trouble reaching a decision.

Ataturk was reviewing his army.

Ataturk, December 4, 1921.

Saturday December 3, 1921. Treaty offers.

 The Saturday magazines were out, with a skunk family on the cover of The Country Gentleman, and a female gold panner on the cover of Colliers.

Irish delegates to the peace conference in London rejected the British offer of Dominion status as it still required an oath of allegiance to the British crown for government officials and members of the Irish parliament, as well as partitioning Ulster away from southern Ireland.

The public was following the Arbuckle trial.

Thursday December 1, 1941. Lighter than air.

The US airship C-7 flew from Hampton Roads, Virginia to Washington D.C. filled with helium, rather than explosive hydrogen, making it the first airship to use that gas.

This was a large event given that helium, of which the United States has a large supply, is so much safer in this use than hydrogen.

The Federal Government was dealing with other modes of transportation on this day as well.  The task was to find a safer way of delivering the mail, in light of robberies which had been occuring.

Postmaster General Will Hayes and other Post Office officials and a Marine inspecting new armored trucks proposed as a means of protection for the mails.

On the same day, the Federal government imposed regulations on the right to radio broadcast commercially. The regulations required a license and set aside two specific AM frequencies for their operations.

The United Kingdom announced that it intended to offer dominion status to Ireland, but that it intended to retain Ulster.  Talks between Irish Republicans and the British had become dangerously stalled, with there being predictions of a resumption of fighting between the two forces.

The US was looking to introduce a new silver dollar design for 1922.

Director of the Mint, Raymond T. Baker, and Anthony de Francisci examining model of new silver dollar to be issued by Jan. 1st.

A statute to Date was unveiled in Washington D.C. on the 600th anniversary of his birth.

All things Italian remained in vogue at the time.

Monday, November 28, 1941. Coolidge and the Senate Pages.

 

Saturday November 26, 1921. The dissappearance of Charles Whittlesey

 

Congressional Medal of Honor winner Charles W. Whittlesey, leader of the "Lost Battalion" during World War One, disappeared at sea.

Whittlesey was a different character before World War One.  He always had an aristocratic bearing, even though he was originally from Wisconsin and had worked as a logger in his youth. He was a Harvard law school graduate and practiced on Wall Street before and after the war.  He never married and he had trouble adjusting to the pressure his famous status brought upon him and the constant contacts with former members of his command.

Leyendecker illustrated a baby for the Saturday Evening post as a poultry executioner.

Rockwell, on the other hand, did a conventional Thanksgiving scene for The Literary Digest.

Blog Mirror: A Hundred Years Ago. 1921 Thanksgiving Menus

From the always excellent A Hundred Years Ago:

1921 Thanksgiving Menus

Note, the small servantless  house.  

I commented on that entry with this:

I’m struck by the “servantless” house comment. I wonder what percentage of homes actually had servants? Surely a small minority, but still its an interesting comment as the author expects that some of the readers will have them.

We don't have servants, rather obviously, and I don't know anyone who does.  I do know some people who have "cleaning ladies", which are women who will clean houses, but not a daily basis.

I know that my father's family didn't have domestics of any kind.  No doubt my grandmother had the laboring oar there, and likely my father's two sisters a bit after a certain age. But my mother's family did have them up until some point in the 1930s, when the Great Depression halted that and the female members of the household took over.  I also know that they were what my mother called "French", meaning Quebecois, which is interesting in that my mother was "Irish Canadian", which in her case really meant that she was mostly Irish, but also a little French (probably 1/4, if I recall correctly).  Irish Canadians mostly lived in the cities, as she did, and their position in Quebec's economic system, which was highly agrarian at the time, was different from that of the full Quebecois.  Having said that, almost all Quebecois near the cities were also somewhat Irish, as Irish orphans had been taken in right off the docks at one time through direct adoptions by the Catholic population.

The maids didn't live there, they came in, and I don't know how frequently.  They also didn't cook, that was my grandmother's job, and like my mother, she reportedly was not particularly good at it.

She wouldn't have cooked anything like this, of course.  American Thanksgiving is an American deal.

Friday, November 25, 1921. Horses in town.

President Harding and his secretary, George Christian went horseback riding in Washington D. C.

I'm not a big Harding fan, to say the least, but the thought that he did this, raises him up a little bit in my esteem.

Harding, fwiw, was 55 years old at the time these photos were taken, giving us an insight into how people of that era frequently looked considerably older to us than those at the same age today.  He was just two years away from dying at age 47 at this time.

Negotiations between Irish representatives and English ones broke down over "the oath", i.e., the British requirement that Ireland be made a dominion and that members of its parliament take an oath of allegiance accordingly.

The United States began the withdrawal of its occupation forces in Germany.

Crown Prince Hirohito became the Regent of Japan, occupying the position in light of his ailing father's inability to do so.

Arnold Genthe, well known portrait photographer, who also frequently tended to photograph portraits of young women wearing little in the way of clothing, took a nice portrait of Miss Elanor Clack.

Thursday, November 24, 1921. Thanksgiving Day.

 

Today was Thanksgiving Day across the nation, the day falling on the same point in the calendar in 1921 which it now does.  As readers here know, during the Great Depression the day was moved, much to the consternation of some.

The news on the day included news of war and peace, with fears that negotiations to end the Anglo-Irish War, and grant Ireland independence, were about to collapse.

The day saw an inspection of Troop 2 of the Boy Scouts in Casper, with that troop having just received honors as noted.  This is of interest in that the newspaper didn't really bother to take much note that the troop was associated with St. Mark's Episcopal Church.  The association of the Boy Scouts with churches was so strong, it being part of the Muscular Christianity movement, that this was simply assumed.

I'm surprised, frankly, that this troop wasn't Troop 1, given that the Episcopal Church was very much a major American protestant denomination in an era in which protestant denominations were culturally dominant.

Interesting that gasoline prices were an issue.  As of January 2020, the price would be roughly equivalent to the current one, but with the current inflationary cycle the country is now in, that would be difficult to really determine now.

Disaster struck in Gillette:

Today In Wyoming's History: November 24: 1921

1921  A serious fire in Gillette, WY destroyed several of the towns landmark buildings.

Wednesday, November 23, 1921. Geology in Sheridan County, Welfare in the United States, Murder in Ukraine

Charles Russell illustrated letter of today's date.

On this date, we're reminded that Wyoming is tectonically active:

Today In Wyoming's History: November 23, 1921:

1921  An earthquake shook Sheridan County.  Attribution: Wyoming State Historical Society.

Earthquakes in Wyoming are not at all uncommon.

The Sheppard-Towner Act, which we dealt with earlier, that provided funding for maternity and child care, as signed into law by Republican President, Warren G. Harding.

Harding knew a little about childcare. At this point his illegitimate daughter, Elizabeth Ann Britton was a little over two years old.  She was not acknowledged, and the public had no idea.

In Bazar, Ukraine, the Red Army executed 359 Ukrainian soldiers who had surrendered to them.

Tuesday, November 22, 1921. Far Eastern Diplomacy*

President Harding's 1921 Thanksgiving turkey.

Flag of the Emirate of Afghanistan, which existed from 1919 until 1926, when it was succeeded by the Kingdom of Afghanistan.

The Emirate of Afghanistan and the United Kingdom modified the 1919 Treat of Rawalpindi such that Afghanistan could import munitions through India, the border was readjusted in Afghanistan's favor at the Kyber Pass, and Afghanistan assured that no Soviet consulates would be established in the country.

Elsewhere in Far Eastern diplomacy, Japan recognized Manchuria as part of China, which it had previously resisted.

Errata:

Most of this post ran on November 21 under that date, in error.

Saturday, November 19, 1921 Anticipating Thanksgiving

 

Given the giant post on agrarianism and homestead that goes up the same morning, this post is likely to be buried and little read.  Nonetheless. . .

Norman Rockwell was anticipating Thanksgiving, a holiday that often presents images relating to childhood, in his November 19 Country Gentleman illustration.

Collier's, oddly, didn't bother to contemplate the upcoming holiday at all.

On this day in 1921 the House of Representatives approved the Sheppard-Towner Act, which is generally, but inaccurately, regarded as the first instance of the United States government taking a role in what we might term welfare.  The act provided a guild to the instruction of hygiene of maternity and infancy care trough instruction through public health nurses, regulation and licensure of midwives, and it resulted in the creation of 3,000 child and maternal health care centers. The law was in effect for eight years.

Pilot Bert Acosta set a new world speed record of 197.8 mph, beating his earlier record set on November 3, and flying the same Curtiss CR-2 airplane.

These members of the Alaska Native Sisterhood met on this day in 1921.

The organization dates to 1912 and there's a companion one for men. They work for civil rights for native Alaskans.

Friday November 18, 1921. No small beers, no new ships.

The U.S. Senate passed the Willis-Campbell Act on this day in 1921 prohibiting physicians from proscribing beer as a medical remedy. They could still prescribe hard alcohol and wine.

On the same day, the British suspended new ship construction in light of progress at the Washington Naval Conference talks.   And Roscoe Arbuckle's trial was proceeding.

Arbuckle with his defense team and brother.

Marshall Foch visited New York City's statue of Joan d'Arc.

Marshal Ferdinand Jean Marie Foch with mineralogist George Frederick Kunz at a ceremony held at the Joan of Arc statue in New York City. Standing at the right, is Anna Vaughn Hyatt Huntington, sculptor of the Joan of Arc statue, and Jacqueline Vernot holding flowers.

The Soviet Union, which was going to have an economy based on pure ownership by the proletariat of the means of production, figured out that banks were a necessity and crated a state bank.  The Soviet economy was collapsing.

Thursday November 17, 1921. Deliveries.

Life magazine, which was a humor magazine in the 1920s, put out its issue on this day.  The magazine always came out on odd days.  A humorous Norman Rockwell painting graced the cover, although being in the situation illustrated would not, in fact, be humorous to experience.

The youthful Pilgrim depicted had bagged a turkey in the illustration, of course, and on this day one was delivered to the Harding White House household.

The National Tuberculosis Association was engaged in a fund drive.

New Zealand's first radio broadcast was made on this day.  It was a musical selection broadcast by a university professor.

Tuesday November 15, 1921. A gift of a truck.

Veteran protests in Washington, D.C. demanding the release of incarcerated wartime dissenters.

On this day in 1921 there was a donation of a World War One artifact in Cheyenne.

Today In Wyoming's History: November 15, 1921

1921  A truck used by John J. Pershing in the Great War was donated to the Wyoming State Museum.         

I wonder where it is now?  I've been through the museum, but can't recall seeing it, which doesn't mean that it isn't there.

Marines guarding the U.S. mail.  Marines guarded high priority mail in 1921 and 1922 following some robberies.

Monday November 14, 1921. Monuments, prisoners and wrestlers.

The cornerstone was placed at the Washington Memorial Hall.

Mrs. Harry Rogers Mallory performed the official honors.

There was wrestling news in Wyoming.

Today In Wyoming's History: November 14, 1921

1921  World Champion wrestler Jack Taylor of Wyoming lost the title in Boise to a Russian wrestler.  Attribution:  Wyoming State Historical Society.

Taylor was actually a Canadian, but he was living in Wyoming at the time.  He had just been defeated noted wrestler Jack Pasek at the Iris in Casper on October 31 in a three-hour match, so he was on a losing streak.

Taylor had originally hailed from Ontario and would return to Canada in later years, retiring to Edmonton, a city which is interestingly frequently compared to Casper, although for reasons that are unclear to me.

The President was visited by World War One veterans who wanted him to release prisoners who had opposed the war.

The news photos vs. a print from a negative at the LoC gives an interesting example of photo cropping.

Saturday November 12, 1921. The Washington Naval Conference Commences.

On this day in history the momentous Washington Naval Conference, a global conference aimed at reducing arms and the threat of another major war, commenced in Washington D. C.  President Harding delivered a speech, which of course wasn't the only one delivered.

Harding's speech stated:

Gentlemen of the Conference, the United States welcomes you with unselfish hands. We harbor no fears; we have no sordid ends to serve; we suspect no enemy; we contemplate or apprehend no conquest. Content with what we have, we seek nothing which is another’s. We only wish to do with you that finer, nobler thing which no nation can do alone. 

We wish to sit with you at the table of international understanding and good will. In good conscience we are eager to meet you frankly, and invite and offer cooperation. The world demands a sober contemplation of the existing order and the realization that there can be no cure without sacrifice, not by one of us, but by all of us. 

I do not mean surrendered rights, or narrowed freedom, or denied aspirations, or ignored national necessities. Our republic would no more ask for these than it would give. No pride need be humbled, no nationality submerged, but I would have a mergence of minds committing all of us to less preparation for war and more enjoyment of fortunate peace. 

The higher hopes come of the spirit of our coming together. It is but just to recognize varying needs and peculiar positions. Nothing can be accomplished in disregard of national apprehensions. Rather, we should act together to remove the causes of apprehensions. This is not to be done in intrigue. Greater assurance is found in the exchange of simple honesty and directness among men resolved to accomplish as becomes leaders among nations, when civilization itself has come to its crucial test. 

It is not to be challenged that government fails when the excess of its cost robs the people of the way to happiness and the opportunity to achieve. If the finer sentiments were not urging, the cold, hard facts of excessive cost and the eloquence of economics would urge us to reduce our armaments. If the concept of a better order does not appeal, then let us ponder the burden and the blight of continued competition. 

It is not to be denied that the world has swung along throughout the ages without heeding this call from the kindlier hearts of men. But the same world never before was so tragically brought to realization of the utter futility of passion’s sway when reason and conscience and fellowship point a nobler way. 

I can speak officially only for our United States. Our hundred millions frankly want less of armament and none of war. Wholly free from guile, sure in our own minds that we harbor no unworthy designs, we accredit the world with the same good intent. So I welcome you, not alone in good will and high purpose, but with high faith. 

We are met for a service to mankind. In all simplicity, in all honesty and all honor, there may be written here the avowals of world conscience refined by the consuming fires of war, and made more sensitive by the anxious aftermath. I hope for that understanding which will emphasize the guarantees of peace, and for commitments to less burdens and a better order which will tranquilize the world. In such an accomplishment there will be added glory to your flags and ours, and the rejoicing of mankind will make the transcending music of all succeeding time.

Lots of hopes were pinned on the efforts of the dignitaries as the memory of the Great War was fresh in mind, and the fear of a second one was quite real.

In Washington, D. C. things were light up for the first night following the conference.

The first air-to-air refueling was conducted when an Army Air Corps officer negotiated going from one JN4 to another carrying a five gallon can of aviation fuel to refuel the second aircraft above Long Beach, California.  Obviously, this was more in the nature of a stunt rather than being anything useful.