Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-11-12

| challenge Of imperative economic dc"
mands What was convenient or
! highly desirable before Is now mat
| ter of vital necessity
/ IF thprc ~ TO be economic re-
/ habilitntlon, IL the longings for reason
able progress are not TO be denied, II
| we nre 10 be spared the upriSings Of
! peoples made desperate in the edsirc
! to shake of burdens no longer cndur-
able, competition IN armament must
stop.
The present opportunity not only
derives IT'S advantage from a general
appreciation Of this fact, but the power
| TO deal with the cxigcnCy now rests
with a small group OF nations repre-
sentcd here, who have every reason 10
| desire peace and to promote nmity. The
! astounding ambition which lay athwnrt
the promise OF the second Hague Con-
ference no longer mrnuceS the world
| and the great opportunity Of liberty.
loving people and peace preserving
! democracieI has come.
No Mere Resolutions
'lS it not plain that the time has
PASSED for mere resolutions. that the
responsible powers should examine the
question of limitation of armaments
that We can no longer content ourselves
with Investigations. with statistics, with
reports. with the CirCumlOCutiOn Of in =
quirr. The essential fact sarc suffi =
cicntly known. The time IL come. and
this conference has been called, not for
general resolutions or mutual advice, but
for action.
| We meet with full understanding
that the aspirations of mankind are not
to be defeated either by plausible sug-
grstions Of postponement or by imprac-
t!cable counsels Of perfection. Power
and responsibility arc here and the world
! awaits a practicable program which
shall at once bn put into execution.
| Il ain confident that I shall have
your approval in suggesting that in this
matter ns we'll as In others before the
conference it is desirable to follow the
course of procedure which has the best
promise Of achievement rather than one
which would facilitate divisions. and
thus constantly aiming to agree so far
as possible We shall. with each point Of
agreement, make it easier TO proceed to
others.
The question, in relation to nrma :
ments, which may be regarded az Of
primary importance at this time. and
with which ue can deal most promptly
and effectively. is the limitation Of
naval armament. There are certain
general considerations which may be
deemed pertinent TO this subject
The first Is that tho core Of the
difficulty is 10 be found in the com E
petition in naval programs. and that
IN order appropriately TO limit naval ar
mament. competition in its production
must be abandoned. Competition will
not be romrdicd by resolves with re.
! 60 he Of 70 ~ q
One program inevitably leads to an
other. and II competition continues, its
regulation il impracticGble. Ther" is
only one adequate way out. and that IS
70 end It now.
Serious Sacrifices Necessary
1t Is apparent thar this cannot be
Accomplished without serious sacrifices
Enormous sums have been expended
upon ships under construction. anG
building programs which arc now under
way cannot be given up without heavy
loss. Yet II the present construction 0
capital ships goes forward other chip
will inevitably b. built TO rival then
snd this will lead 70 still others. Thus
the race will continue so long az ability
10 continue lasts. The efforts to escape
sacrifices arc futile. We must face then
or yield our purpose.
; 1T Is also clear that no one of th'
; naval Powers should be expected T.
make the sacrifices alone. The onl,
I hope Of limitation Of naval armnmen
Z is BY agreement among the nations con
. cerned, and this agreement Shoud b
. entirely fair and reasonable in tho OK
tent of the sacrifices required of each 0
the Powers.
4 81 IN DfsT
: fces 70 be required, it ~ necessary +
. have regard to the existing nav0
> strength Of the great naval Powers, in
Guiding the extent Of construction al
q ready effected in the case Of ships i
PROCESS This follows from the fact tina
. on" nation il as fire" 10 compete rs an
: other. and each may find grounds TO
. this acton.
n What one may do another may de
. msnd the opportunity 70 rival. and W
. remain in tho thrnll OF competitive et
Il fort
Il NAV add that the American dele
. gates nre advised bv their naval expert
u that the tonnage Of capital Shipa ma
h fairlv be taken TO measure the r"latv
n strength Of navics, Ha the provision fC
,e auxiliary combatNnr craft should suS
ID tain a reasonable relation to the cap
tal shir tonnage allowed.
Ten. Year Naval Holiday
le Il, would also seem 10 be a Wit
5, part Of plan for the Limitation
to naval armament that there should be
Il naval holiday. It Is proposed that f
&c period Of NOT less than ten years the
should be no further construction
d capital ships.
Y II am happy TO say that | am at Ill
). erty 10 20 beyond these general pr0pt
,s 6itionS and on behalf Of the Americ,
,e delegation acting under III" tnstruCtio
IN Of the President Of the United Stat
,e 20 submit 20 You a concrete proPoS
" ton for m agreement for the limtati,
~ OF naval armament.
70 IT should he udded that this pr
st pO>al Immediately concerns the Bra
!sh Empire, Japan and the Unit
a! States. In view OF the crtraordina
os conditions. due to tho Orld War. =
Of icrting the existing strength of t
Of navtrS Of Franc" and Italy, II j. n
ii thought 70 hr n~c"9Sary 70 discuss
nj this stage Of thr proceedings the to
mage allowance Of these nations. h
On the United States proposes that Il
st matter be reserved for rh" later consl
We Grafton Of the Conference.
., In making Il" present proposal t
lI United States j. most so,icltNus ~ dt
nj with the uestlon uD"u an entirety Re-
r sonablo and practi"abl" basis to the =
ne that tn" just interests of all shall
" adequately guarded and the national
81 curity and defense shall be maintained
l." Mr.. Hughes then outlined the Ame
g rau program aud principles ns civ
les above.
he There was y sharp. quick round
lc, applause when Mr.. NugheS, speak
in with great cmphG>!s. declared III" pr'