"DON'T LET HER TALK, MAKE HER GET OFF STAGE"

FIREWORKS DEVELOP IN DISARMAMENT DISCUSSION AT WOMEN'S MEETING

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On May 9, 1925, The Washington Times reports that "discussion developed into a 'battle of nations' at today's session of the International Council of Women*."

The discussion, held at the Washington Auditorium, was on a proposed resolution on "the question of disarmament."

Mrs. Maud Greenwalt of Washington, a prominent member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and opponent of disarmament, was denied the opportunity to speak with shouts of "don't let her talk," and "make her get off the stage."

Mrs. William Cummings Story, honorary president general of the DAR, was allowed to speak and her address against disarmament was greeted with "round after round of applause."

JFK+50

The American delegation at this ICW meeting opposed disarmament on the grounds that the United States should be prepared militarily in defense of freedom.

*ICW was founded in Washington, D.C. in 1888 to advocate in favor of human rights for women.  Today ICW is represented in 70 countries worldwide & is headquartered in Paris.

SOURCE

"Women In Row Over Arms," The Washington Times, May 9, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

Nations of the International Council of Women

by Enyavar

2017

CC SA 4.0

"PRESIDENT HARDING TO TAKE NO PART"

HUGHES TO HEAD AMERICAN DELEGATION ON DISARMAMENT 

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On July 19, 1921, it was learned that Charles Evans Hughes* "would head the American delegation to the conference on disarmament limitation."

It was also revealed that President Warren G. Harding would take no part in the conference "under any circumstances."

One senator, most likely Henry Cabot Lodge, was to be included in the American delegation.  President Harding  made it known he wanted the South to the represented as well.

Samuel Gompers requested a representative of labor be included.

*Charles Evans Hughes, Sr. (1862-1948) was educated at Brown University & Columbia Law School.  CEH served as Governor of NY, U.S. Secretary of State & Chief Justice of the USSC 1930-1941. 

SOURCE

"Hughes Will Speak for U.S. On Disarming," The New York Tribune, July 20, 1921, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

   

 

Charles Evans Hughes, Sr.

Underwood & Underwood (1931)

Library of Congress Photo

"THAT PATH LED TO THE WORLD WAR"

SECRET DISARMAMENT PROPOSAL DISARMING TO SENATORS

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On June 22, 1921, developments in the United States Senate indicate that there is "no patience whatever with (President Warren G. Harding's) idea of working out a disarmament agreement in secret in advance of the calling of a disarmament conference."

According to Carter Field, one unnamed senator said...

"That path led to the World War."

Senator Atlee Pomerene* (D-Ohio) expressed the view that Japan and England would welcome a presidential invitation to hold a disarmament conference. 

*Atlee Pomerene was born in Berlin, Ohio & educated at Princeton University & the University of Cincinnati School of Law.  AP served in the US Senate 1911-1923 & was special prosecutor in the Teapot Dome scandal.

SOURCE

"Harding Plan to Cut Arms Is Opposed," by Carter Field, The New York Tribune, June 23, 1921, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/ 

 

 

Senator Atlee Pomerene

D-Ohio

Baker Art Gallery 1916

Library of Congress 

"TENTATIVE NEGOTIATIONS ARE UNDERWAY"

HARDING HOPEFUL SOMETHING WILL BE DONE ABOUT DISARMAMENT

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On May 31, 1921, the White House indicated that "tentative negotiations on disarmament" were underway.  According to the "highest authority," Colonel George Harvey*, Ambassador to Great Britain, was in conference with Supreme Council members on the issue.

The New York Tribune reports that President Warren G. Harding and his advisers remain hopeful that something will "be done about disarmament."

*George Brinton McClellan Harvey (1864-1928) was born in Peacham, Vermont & became managing editor of the New York World, 1891-94. GBMH purchased Harper's Weekly in 1901.

GH was a top adviser to Woodrow Wilson but later broke with the President's progressive political stands.  He served as US Ambassador to Great Britain under Harding.

SOURCE

"Harding Has Begun Action On Plan for Disarmament," by Carter Field, The New York Tribune, June 1, 1921. 

   

 

Colonel George Harvey

Harris & Ewing Photo

TRUMAN SAYS SOVIETS HAVE ATOMIC BOMB

September 23, 2011


JFK+50 GOES TO WASHINGTON TO SEE CAROLINE KENNEDY


We are leaving in the morning for Washington, D.C.  We will be there for Caroline Kennedy's Book Tour at Georgetown University on Monday.


The book "Jacqueline Kennedy: Historic Conversations on Life with John F. Kennedy" has just come out & includes 8 CDs of oral history recorded by Mrs. Kennedy in January 1964.

JFK+50 will be back with a new post on Wednesday, September 28.   Please check back then.


Today's JFK+50 will include events from September 23-26.


September 23, 1949


TRUMAN SAYS SOVIETS HAVE ATOMIC BOMB


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President Harry S Truman today announced the Soviet Union has recently exploded a nuclear bomb.


The news came as a shock to US government officials who believed the Russians had not developed nuclear weaponry.


President Truman said:


"We have evidence within recent weeks an atomic explosion occurred in the USSR.  The eventual development of this new force by other nations was to be expected."


The President has requested that the National Security Council re-evaluate US cold war policies in light of this development.*


*The NSC report of 1950 will call for a huge increase in military spending as well as hydrogen bomb development.

            President Harry S Truman


September 23, 1969


TRIAL OF THE "CHICAGO 8" BEGINS


Chicago, Illinois (JFK+50) The trial of 8 anti-Vietnam War activists charged with organizing violent demonstrations at the 1968 Democratic National Convention began here in Chicago today.


The 8 were charged with conspiracy to cross state lines with the intent to incite a riot.*


*The trial ended in February 1970 with the defendants sentenced from 2 to 4 years for contempt of court.  They were found not guilty on the conspiracy charge.  


No prison time was actually served because the case was overturned & the contempt charges dropped.

          Violence In Chicago in 1968 
     Democratic National Convention


September 23, 1944


FDR COMES TO THE DEFENSE OF "FALA"

                                       FALA
                            FDR Memorial
                        Washington, D.C.
                    Photo by John White
                           July 14, 2003


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President Franklin D. Roosevelt today addressed the International Brotherhood of Teamsters here in the nation's capital.


Coming under increasing criticism from his Republican opponents, FDR had this reaction to their attacks:


"These Republican leaders have not been content with attacks on me, or my wife, or my sons. No, not content with that, they now include my little dog Fala. Well, of course, I don't resent attacks, & my family don't resent attacks, but Fala does resent them." 


"I am accustomed to hearing malicious falsehoods about myself, but I think I have a right to object to libelous statements about my dog."*


FDR went on to say that his Republican opponents were just trying to distract voters from the real issues facing the country in 1944.


*Republicans in 1944 circulated a story that FDR had unintentionally left Fala in the Aleutian Islands while on a visit there & sent a Navy destroyer, at taxpayer's expense, to retrieve him.


Harry Truman once said "If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog."  


Well, FDR had a dog, a little black Scottish terrier named "Fala".  When you visit the FDR Memorial in Washington today you will see Fala by his side.

                        FDR Memorial
                      Washington, D.C.
                   Photo by John White


September 24, 1963


US SENATE RATIFIES JFK'S TEST BAN TREATY


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) The Senate of the United States today ratified the Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty thereby giving John F. Kennedy one of his greatest victories as President.


The treaty bans all nuclear weapons testing except those underground.*


*The Test Ban Treaty was signed in Moscow on August 5.

   JFK Signs Nuclear Test Ban Treaty


September 25, 1961


JFK CALLS FOR WORLD DISARMAMENT


New York City (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy, speaking to the United Nations General Assembly today, outlined a plan that would lead to complete disarmament across the globe.


JFK called for all nations which have nuclear weapons to destroy their existing weapons & convert their materials to peaceful uses.


"Today, every inhabitant of this planet must contemplate the day when this planet may no longer be habitable.  Every man, woman & child lives under a nuclear sword of Damocles, hanging by the slenderest of threads, capable of being cut at any moment by accident or miscalculation or by madness.  The weapons of war must be abolished before they abolish us."

                  National Museum of 
                     American History
                   Washington, D.C.
        Photo by John White (2003)


September 26, 1961


JFK SIGNS DISARMAMENT BILL


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy today signed a bill passed by Congress 3 days ago which will create the Arms Control & Disarmament Agency.


JFK said:


"Our ultimate goal...is a world free from war & free from the dangers & burdens of armaments.  The new age brings renewed hope for....progress in the critical battle for the survival of mankind."


The ACDA is to be headed by William C. Foster, former Secretary of Defense under President Truman.

                   William C. Foster
            Truman Library Photo