TLS as president, one page, 7 x 9, White House letterhead, September 3, 1921. Letter to Robert Barry of the Senate Press Gallery, who would be covering one of the most important events of his presidency, the Washington Naval Conference. In full, “I have to gratefully acknowledge your letter of September two in which you make so cordial a tender of the readiness of the Standing Committee of Correspondents to aid the government in the big work it has before it in the coming International Conference for the reduction of the armament. I recognize full well the desirability of ample and rightful publicity and very much wish for the very cordial cooperation and helpfulness of our own correspondents and those who write for publications overseas. I am looking forward at an early time to a series of conferences so that we may arrange to the largest advantage. I have already told Mr. Preston, whom I very highly esteem, of my desire for a conference and after a meeting with him I assumed that the field of our conference will be somewhat enlarged. The purpose of this letter is to express my appreciation of your tender and to assure you that in due time, and at an early time, I hope we shall be able to exchange our views and adopt the most helpful programs which is practical.” More formally known as the International Conference on Naval Limitation, this disarmament effort was occasioned by the hugely expensive naval construction rivalry that existed among Britain, Japan and the United States. Senator William E. Borah, Republican of Idaho, took the lead on this matter and urged that the major Allied nations from the recent war gather in an effort to slow the arms race. The proposal was not met with initial enthusiasm by the Harding administration, but it became a political imperative when it was portrayed as a Republican alternative to League of Nations’ peace efforts. In the summer of 1921, Harding extended invitations and expanded the agenda beyond arms control to include discussion of issues in the Pacific and Far East. In very good condition, with several blocks of toning, single mailing fold, scattered soiling and a strip of toning along top edge, which could be matted out. COA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
