Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-02
ARMS A HEAVY BURDEN
Sentiment for Their Laying Down is
Growing Stronger.
LIMITATION AT THE HAGUE
Sir Henry Campbell Bannerman Makes
an Argument for Quiet Among
the World Powers.

LONDON, March Sir Henry Campbell
Bannerman, the premier, has published in
The Nation, a new publication, an article
in which he indicates briefly his reasons
for holding as baseless those objections
brought up at home and abroad to raising
the question of the limitation of arma-
ments at the approaching peace confer
ence at The Hague. The premier con-
tends that the original Hague meeting was
convened for the very purpose of discuss
ing this question, and although. as was to
have been expected in dealing with such
delicate and complex matter. It fails to
reach an agreement, he never heard 1t sug-
gested that this discussion had left behind
any injurious consequences.
He submits that it is the business Of
those opposing the renewal of the attempts
to bring up this question to show that
some especial and essential change in the
circumstances has arisen to render redis-
cussion inopportune mischierous.
Limit the Burden.
Sir Henry argues that If it was desirable
to attempt to limit the burden of arma-
ments in 1898 it is still more desirable to do
so today. when the weight Of this burden
has increased enormously and says that
the suspicion held In 1898 has grown to
something like a certainty today-that no
limits could be set to the competitive strug-
gle for sea power save by the process OF
economic exhaustion
Sir Henry says he is aware, however,
that no circumstances should snake the
submission Of the question of the Limitation
of armaments to the conference a matter
for international misgiving or danger: on
the contrary, the points of divergence be-
tween the powers have become less acute
and confined to a far smaller field.
Furthermore, the sentiment in favor OF
become iucOmDarably
and the idea of the arbitration and peace
full adjustment of international disputes
has attained a practical potency and moral
authority undreamed of in 1898. Therefore
the British premier suggests that only
this grave matter to the conference be set
down as inadmissible namely, that the
may. to be treated as having no prac-
teal bearing upon the scale and intensity
of the warlike preparations.
An Important Conclusion.
That would be lame and impotent
conclusion calculated to undermine the
moral position Of the conference and stulti-
fy its proceedings in the eyes of the world.
1t would amount to the declaration that
the common interests of peace be pro-
claimed for the first time by the COM
munity of nations assembled at The Hague.
and since it has advanced with rapidity
beyond the dreams of the most sanguins
it has been confided to the guardianship
powers"
In concluding his remarks about the po-
sition of Great Britain, the premier says:
I'VE already have given an. earnest or
our sincerity by considerable reductions
in our naval and military expenditure, and
we are prepared to go further III We ma
similar disposition In other quarters. Our
delegates, therefore, will not go to the
conference empty handed.
Sir Henry does not believe that Great
Brtain's example will count for nothing.
tAA hoo har
preponderance is unimpaired. He Is per-
suaded that throughout the world Great
Britain's sea power is recognized as nom
aggressive and innocent of designs against
the independence or legitimate develop
ment of other states. The premier says:
Our known adhesion to two dominant
principles-the dominance of nationaitles
and the freedom Of trade-entitles ms TO
claim that If our fleets are invulnerabie
they carry with them no menace across
the waters of the world. but message OF
the most cordial good will based on BELIEF
in the community of interests between ma
TONS .---