Perth Amboy evening news., 1920-12-13
rx,rrp STATES AND DISARMAMENT.

total of 81 500, 100000. Tine hsures are apP"'
ing. This awful burden is to to be forced on the
people of this country as a preparation Tor the
next war. yet one of the reasons given for US
going into the war that has just ended was tnat
Il should be the last great slaughter oil human
beings.
The taxpayers are already carrying a loau
that seems too great 10 bear. They complain
bitterly. 1t is estimated that over s4'ooo'oVV'-
600 will be needed TO run this government -
the next year. Senator Smoot has declared thd'
he intends TO cut one billion dollars out OF TINS
He does not state how he is going to go anou'
H. Il is significant, however, that this item Oh
s1.50O, 900, 900 for the army and navy Is the
largest single appropriation asked for.
lust as one OF the objects for the United
States going into the war was to help put an
end to all war, so It was largely through the
influence of the representatives OF the ohiteu
States at the peace conference that a League oil
Nations was formed the primary object OF which
Is to draw the countries of the earth closer TO-
gether so that disputes may be settled without
resorting to arms. The fact that the oniteo
states is not a member of the league after play
ing such an important part in its formation is
another story.
The point of interest now is that a commits
zion has been appointed by the council of the
league to consider the subject of disarmament.
The United States, although not a member OF
the league, has been invited to send a represen-
tstiye to participate in this effort 10 secure a
reduction in armament. The invitation was so
worded that the United States, not being a
member OF the league would not be considered
bound by any decision arrived at by the COM
mission. As one of the great world powers, 1t
was simply desired to get our views on the SUBJ
sect and, IL possible secure our cooperation.
President Wilson has declined the invitation
to send a representative to participate in the
deliberations of this commission. While, OF
course, heartily in sympathy with its aims and
objects, he doubtless feels that, in view of the
verdict OF the people in the recent election, his
motive In appointing a representative to have
anything to do with any of the deliberations of
the League Of Nations would be misconstrued
into an effort on the Presidents part to force
the United States into the league.
Because of the situation in which the Presi-
dent finds himself and realizing the importance
Of this concerted move on the part OF the lead
ng nations of the world to reduce armament,
senator Walsh, of Montana, has introduced a
resolution in the senate directing President Will
AH ~ SAibS . w tiN NSeHN'A " N"S
Nations the earnest desire of the United States
70 cooperate with the commission appointed by
the council to formulate plans looking to a
general reduction In ornaments.
In introducing his resolution Senator Walsh
said that this commission proceeding with its
work encountered the embarrassment that the
United States was not in any manner represent
ed. Obviously" the senator went on to say. mo
plan for general disarmament could receive the
approval OF the other great nations unless the
United States Joined in the arrangement"
We have already had a striking illustration
of this fact in the attitude assumed by Japan.
viscount Ishii, OF the japanese delegation at
Geneva, told the commission quite frankly on
Saturday that it was useless to try to get Japan
to reduce her military or naval forces while the
United States was increasing hers. And. as
stated at the beginning. the United States is, this
year. spending the stupendous sum of $780,
900. 900 on her army and navy.
We frequently hear a great deal of talk about
Japan getting ready to fight us for the mastery
of the Pacific, yet here we are, the one nation
that has pretended to abhor war and that has
insisted that it would not fight unless being first
attacked, playing the part of the lingo nation,
keeping the whole world guessing as to what it
Is going to do.
Well may Senator Walsh declare that because
of our refusal to participate in the movement to-
ward disarmament the world will very natural
ly reach the conclusion that we declined for
some reason other than that which is thus stat
cd. 1t is an easy step from that" he goes on
to say. to the conclusion that we do not desire
to participate in it because we are opposed to
any plan for a general reduction of ornaments,
because we have imperiaiistic designs. calculat-
ed to excite suspicion In the minds of the people
OF many of the nations of the earth
Continuing, the senator said that. in his
opinion. the people of this country were not
opposed TO disarmament, and that they still adj
a general plan as the league now seeks 10 work
out should be adopted by all the great powers.
We believe Senator Walsh is correct in his
opinion of the attitude OF the people of the
loving people. We do not like to send our boys
t. war. 1t was for fear We would be called upon
20 furnish the fighting material for all the quar-
rels of Europe that many have opposed US join
ing the League OF Nations. And neither do we
want to have the awful burden of armament
that has borne Europe down these many years
because of the military attitude of Germany.
transferred to us-making America the Prus-
STA Of the twentieth century.
u there 10. as Senator Walsh and a great