The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-12-02
TUESDAY, DECEMBER ?, 1913.
AN OPPORTUNITY.


our troshwater secretary Of the navy. as some
partisan Republican newspaper likes to call
Josephus Daniels. as # there were behind him
an unbroken line Of saltwater secretaries. makes
the first definite suggestion toward decrease
In naval ornaments that has yet been made.
winston Churchill. the English lord Of the ad-
miralty has the credit Of being the first to
propose naval holiday Of all the powers, and
his suggestion was quickly seized upon by Sec
rotary Daniels. who, in speech in the South,
approved IL in no uncertain tones But he goes
further in his first annual report to congress and
suggests conference OF nations to devise ways
and means OF transmitting the idea into reality.
81 recomend" he says, that this country take
the initiative and that the president ask congress
to authorize him to attend conference to dis
cuss reduction of the heavy cost of the army and
navy"
The suggestion made by Mr.. Churchill was
tentative one--naade to test Germany's willing
ness to enter into some kind Of agreement limit
ing the mad competitive struggle for naval
control. 1t not to be expected that Ger
many would rise to the occasion at once and dis
play any great eagerness to meet Great Britain
halfway. These two nations are too much afraid
of each other TO meet on their own initiative upon
common ground for the consideration OF such
a proposal The United States is the nation to
make the most of 1t and to put It into operation.
Neither Germany nor Great Britain could re-
gard with suspicion invitation to an inter.
national conference given by this government
The United States Is spending more for war and
preparation for war than Is good for the tax
payers of the nation but 1t is not In the mael-
strom of competition which Is gradually sucking
other nations down into bankruptcy. There Is
no immediate possibility Of war between this
nation and any Of Europe. It can look upon the
construction Of huge navies by Great Britain.
Germany and other nations with comparative
eomplacency. There be no suspicion that
any great fear Of European strength furnishes
motive for the suggestion for pause, This ma
ton occupies as nearly the position Of unbiased
arbiter. 1t Is anxious for limitation of armament
and even for disarmament, it is true, and it is
equally true that seIfshness plays part, but
1t is the same selfishness which imbues all the
others-the desire for a reduction In the cost
Of war preparations
An invitation to the nations of the earth to
meet in conference for the purpose Of dis
GUESSING ways and means Of curtailing construc-
ton of bat1eships and notifications of armies,
and expen ditures for munitions would be re
csived from the United States without sns-
p.cion and could be considered It's merits.
The 3ealousies and fears would enter into the
conferences probably. but the mere holding OF
the conference, though nothing tangible resulted,
woud be a long step forward.
Secretary Daniels has made a good sugges-
ton, and one to which congress would do well
to heed. II would be great thing for this ma
ton. unhampered by fears and jealousies, I'm,
frightened by bugaboos almost Indifferent 10
the size Of the navies Of the European nations,
10 advance the definite suggestion for a con.
ference TO bring about decrease IN wasteful
= expenditures 1t is q great opportunity that
is presented. Blessed are the peacemakers, be
they individuals or nations, and If the United
states can help toward universal peace. as we
believe 1T may by following Secretary Daniels
recommendation. it will not have to wait until
the day Of final judgment for it's reward.
TWO GLARS.
f.,to-~,or. fsor,or oor,ciat,n r,ror4