The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1913-05-29
EFFECT OF DISARMAMENT.


In the matter Of the proposal for in
ternational disarmament. the practical
question always arises, what nation
shall first disarm so as to be safe it.
self and afford good example TO the
rest Of the world The peace propa-
gandists in the United States are full
Of the idea that the United States is
the exemplary nation that could do
this without fear of attack by any
nation, And yet just now there seems
10 be no particular reason for indulg
ing in any such feeling. In fact, there
Is no reason for indulging in it at
any time. since the United States is
open to attack on both its shores, and
since the threat of attack upon our
west shore is quito within the possibili-
ties, although we do not urge any .rea
son for special fear Of an attack at
this time by reason of the California
legislation and of the acute situation
raised thereby.
Still it is worth while to note the
position Of the Army and Navy Jour
nal, which says that an absurd ma
tional egotism is shown by the asser-
tion that if the United States abol.
nations would be led by the force Of
this example also TO disarm. II we
add the suggestion that this disarma-
ment on our part would also serve to
disarm Japan, that national egotism
is made all the more prominent. The
New York Globe, discussing this po-
sition of the Army and Navy Journal,
admits that disarmament by the United
States would have no immediate ef-
feet. But it holds that ultimately it
would have very great practical ef-
feet; that it would demonstrate that
Zone important nation found it safe
to go unarmed.' But that is a. beg.
ging Of the whole question. Would
we find it safe to go unarmed? That
is precisely what no one can assure.
On the contrary, it is extremely likely
that we would find it to be wholly
unsafe.
The Globe holds that in case we
found it safe to go unarmed, and "lf
we were not attacked our example
would induce other nations to try the
same experiment. The words elf we
were not attacked form the very pith
and marrow Of the whole question
Even If we were not attacked for
while, that would make no certainty
that we would not be attacked later
on in case Of quarrel with any other
nation.
We have not alone the question Of
National defense to consider in our
public affairs. but also the enforce |
ment Of the Monroe doctrine. Under |
international conditions as they are, /
il we should make ourselves absolutely |
1efenseless, as the peace propagapdists
lrge that we should do, the probability
s, not that we would be safe from
5ack, and would put ourselves in pre-
,isely the position that China is to.
lay. the prey Of the fighting nations |
IF the earth. In such case, we would /
20 absolutely powerless to enforce the
Monroe doctrine against any aggres.
i've power. This IS something that
he people Of the United States would Il
lot willingly forego. we are pledged
% the Monroe doctrine, and bound to
maintain it.
Again, II we should make ourselves
we would be defeuseless
lot only against foreign aggression,
md helpless as to the enforcement
f the Monroe doctrine, but we would
'e absolutely defenseless in case of
n uprising Of any magnitude in our
wn country, precisely as the Gov.
rument of Mexico has been defense |
ess ever since the successful uprising i
gainst Diaz. We have in Mexico a
oncrete example of the evil Of being
aught in defenseless condition by n
mbitious, unscrupulous, and rapacious |
lasses within the country itself, de-
ermined to force their destructive
Jews upon the Government aud to |
brow off all authority wheu the Gov.
is helpless to compel obedience
D law and order.
The three great points stated, de-
snse against foreign aggression, the
of the Monroe doctrine,
nd the suppression of civil or insur-
uprisings within our own
orders, comprise each and all suffi-
lent reason for providing for "the
ommon defense" There is only one |
'ay to provide for this common de-
ense, and that is by adequate mill.
iry and naval force. AS soon as we
bandon that provision for the com.
ION defense, we become prey of
apaclous nations, We give mp our
herjshed Monroe doctrine. and we |
pen the waY TO internal disturbances II