Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-12-11
WANTS AMERICA To
URGE DISARMAMENT
Gen. Bliss Outlines Proposition
Which Might be Made to
Other Nations.

Philadelphia, Dec. 11.-General Iasker
n. Bliss in an address at the Philadelphia
Public Ledger Peace Conference Forum
last night. suggested that the tni,ed
States take the lead in definite proposal
and demand for reasonable limitation of
armament" The Forum is under the SUI
pervision of Colonel f. NJ. House
II refusl of European nations 10
abide by their agreement IN the Peace
Treaty forced the United states also to
continue in the race for armanents, Cen
oral Bliss said, the time might como when
they would have more fear of the Cnited
| States than they had of themselves.
Those OF you are mistaken who may
/ think that there can be an enduring
! and effective association OF the nations
! for the maintenance of peace so long as
those nation. are armed to the teeth
solely against each other, sald the
/ General And those are mistaken who
think that so long as the present mill
tarv system exist there can be any success
ful international court Of arbitration
After describing the work Of the Peace
Conference where II was decreed tor
many should reduce her military power
below where il would no longer be
menace 10 other nations, General Bliss
said
NOT wish 70 Join IN any formal association
with Won because we fear it viii not make
for our peace, hut war They are saying
u IA We want YOU because without
, you there can he no continued peace.
.sWhv should not the nited states
say ~ the nations We will take YOU
, at your word. and will test IT to decide ~
worth viii YOU. the nations that ac'
cepted the preamble TO the military peace
terms with Germany, sign this furthei
document with u.s. f,
We will agree with you that eaot
nation that 50 desires shall keep aho
build whatever frontier and coast i"fi
fcations il wishes Fortifica'ions canno'
: stride across the earth, devastating neih
and destroying cities.
: we will agree with YOU that eaci
1 nation NAV maintain ITS navy. No nav
: without an army can conquer and hol'
I foreign territory
{ We will agree with YOU on . dat.
4 when We shall simultaneously a6diisl
e anv military system which is solely neces
n sary for international war
Il We will agree with YOU on dat
y as remote as the existing CONDITION
make absolutely necessary, when we sha
Y begin the gradual reduction OF our aTfne
: forces until they are at the limit neces
{ ssry FOR the maintenance Of nteFhs
n order In coming 10 an agreement apou
q this we will accept any reasonably Jus
h principle Of proportion, provided II II
e suits in a reasonable and material redut
J. ton. but admitting IN advance tha
reduced armament can no more be equa
;zed than excessive ones. We VIII trust |
the ultimate good sense Of the commo
peoples OF the nations, who suffer mos
Il from excessive ornaments 10 see 20
that when the movement has once h'
!. gun il is pushed as rapidly rs may be
- its proper limit.
70 I'VE will agree with you on the pops
amounts of material 10 be kept on han
- for the reduced forces And We will furth'
VI agree with YOU to cease the manmactu
Of material until the amounts now {
hand are reduced TO what we agree upe
y, - as necessary tr the reduced forces.
Are these propositions reasonable
"a asked General Bliss And If agre'
= upon Will they accomplish anything
"a the maintenance of international peace
y Mansfestlv. they do not guarantee again
- war. and ! know of nothing that no
will But they will undoubtedly have
IN IN tendency To deter any nation from Ii
70 dertaking international war. Ana tn
VI will ultimately minimize the chances
u the occurrence of another war such
the last one. =, ..,
~ agree" the General said, 'th
perhaps the greatest difficulty Will be
coming To an agreement with Europe
powers as TO the reasonable force u
lie each nation requires to MAINTAIN INT.
nal order But do not believe that u
M | difnclIIfy 10 inslIrInouutahIe.