Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-01-31
John Temple Graves
Writes on
Europe's Attitude on Disarmament
By JOHN TEMPLE GRAVES

or the tonnage of its ships: ne
number and power of It's guns, or
the number of men in the serv-
ice? Upon what basis should the
standard be set? Each nation
would attempt to establish a
standard that would be to its own
advantage. The piications
would be infinite and an agrees
ment practically impossible.
Under an agreement to main
tain the present rela tive strength
of navies, Great Britain would be
given permanent dominance Of
the seas. To this other ambitious
nations would never consent. On
the other hand, if 1t were pro-
posed that Great Britain cease
building until other nations had
reached her degree of prepared
ness, she would object, for, il
would be claimed, England had
won and long held dominance of
the seas as her right.
Consider again, by way of illus
tration, The Hague proposition
that all navies be abolished. Great
Britain would naturally object.
while Germany might approve,
the reason, in each case, being
personal advantage. The army of
Germany is strong and every port
is fortified, Germany could repel
any invasion on the part Of Great
Britain without naval force On
the other hand, were 1t not for
the British navy, Germany would
be able to land a huge army in
England. In each case there
would be a particular advantage.
Local questions can not be con-
sidered in world treaties.
Sparring For Advantage.
There are just as many compli-
cations when a proposal is made
10 place some limitation on the
size of armies. Every nation in
Europe comes forward with a
multitude of objections whenever
a given measure Is suggested. For
instance, it might be proposed
that nations Of given population
be allowed to maintain armies Of
given size. There are two RI
val nations in Europe that would.
under such an arrangement, be
allowed 100000 men each. One OF
these nations protests, however,
that the other has, along It's from
tier. a series of Notifications that
double the defensive strength Of
her army. The arrangement
therefore, works an injustice to
the nation that has smallest for
tifications. A mountainous coun-
try with given number of SOL
diers has vastly greater defen-
sive powers than has level
country
These complications are so great
that Europe sees no possibility OF
an agreement for the limitation OF
armament. The playing for ad
vantage is SO common, and hopes
for future growth are so gener
ally cherished, that Europe really
does not wish to disarm even
were an adjustment of difficulties
possible.
Germany, for instance. through
her ally, Austria, hopes for an ul-
innate outlet on the Mediterra-
mean. The forcible annexation OF
Bosnia and Herzegovina by Aus
tria was but a step toward the
realization of this ambition, and
the action with relation to Sou
tart was another. Russia, with
her vast population and ports on
ly on the frozen North, is no less
anxious for an outlet to the Med
iterranean. The recent Balkan
war makes the realization OF
these ambitions more likely. The
spirit Of expansion is abroad in
Europe, and no idea is farther
from the public mind at the pres
ent time than disarmament
The whole spirit and attitude OF
Europe makes 'our greater Amer
lean navy an absolute necessity.
Congress should vote 1t promptly.