The Washington herald., 1920-12-31
Opinions
of Other
E d i t O r S
Brief Comment From
Leading Newspapers
Throughout Nation
DISARMAMENT.

There is" said Mr.. Hoover, in 4
statement 10 the World, mo more
inconceivable folly than this contin-
ued riot of expenditure on battle
ships at time when great masses
OF humanity are dying of starvation
in certain parts of the world. par
alel with bursting warehouses of
rOtting food in other places" 1t is
worse than folly; it is a form of
economic suicide.
The nations will never liquidate
the cost of the war IL they are to
resume the race of competitive ar
maments. which in effect means
bankruptcy. with all that bankrupt
cy implies.-New York World.
Great Britain formerly needed
treaty with Japan to protect India
against the Cars Russia, and she
made one. Japan also needed this
alliance to enable her to fight Rus
sia in Korea and ManChuria without
fear OF European intervention on
behalf of "the white race" so she
signed il, too. 1t was a treaty of
mutual benefit which all lasting
treaties must be. But couIo any
thing be conceived which would be
more surely fatal to the British EN-
pire than to attempt. in alliance
with Japan, to fight the United
States? Plain selt-interest would
absolutely forbid any such folly;
and the British are not too much
given to disregarding plain self
interest.-Philadelp Ledger.
In subscribing most heartily TO
this (disarmamentD movement there
is no surrender of the policy that
the navy of the United States must
always be. as 1t always has been, a
fighting navy. Nor is there any
tendency whatever to violate Ma
hams maxim: The adoption OF the
defensive in war Is ruin; war once
declared must be waEed sgEres-
sively, relentlessly; the enemy must
not be Tended off, but smitten down"
Condemning the pacifism and un-
preparedness in this country from
1913 to N17: ,condemning the Ger
man policy that brought on the
world war. we now condemn any de-
structive competition in naval
building that is calculated TO invite
future war and add to the burdens
Of an overtaxed people.-New York
Tribune.
1t used to be held that large
armaments were an insurance
against war, but since the late
world conflict little has been heard
Of that argument. Armaments pro-
woke war instead of preventing it,
In the present situation. when many
of the great nations of the world
are on the verge of bankruptcy. and
all of them are staggering under
hardly bearable taxation, the stu
pidity Of a policy of excessive arma-
ments Is as great as the criminal
ity of it.-Baltimore Sun.
As a matter of fact, there is no
real competition in armament such
as was the case when Germany was
preparing to extend her power. !2ut
disarmament comes slowly. for the
reason that no understanding has
been reached through the league OF
nations and because the United
States. standing aloof. is regarded
suspiciously in some quarters. For
example, Japan pretends that II is
necessary for her to expand her
navy as long as this country is
carrying out an ambitious program.
Secretary Daniels has brought in
an estimate Of expenditures for the
navy that is enormous. This esti-
mate must be reduced very materi-
ally. 1t simply has to be done.
And why not? What have We to
fear? Japan? Nonsense! Her ma
val armament is far inferior to our
own. England? Is there any SEN
sible man or woman who really be-
lieves that the United States and
England ever will fight? 1t is too
absurd for serious contemplation
Philadelphia Inquirer.