The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-11-15

British Empire are more profound
fy concerned with all that touches
naval matters thaa it Is possible
for other nations To be.
IT congratulate you on The fact
Chat you have added a new ami
verEary which henceforth will be
observed in connection with tins
movement toward reconstruction.
In the minds OF all the Allies and
associated powers Nov. IL
will prove to be an anniversary
not merely to restore pre-
war conditions, bnt to see that war
conditions shall never again ex-
Est
s. II count myself among the for
tInate among those present" Mr..
Balfour said. referring to the pro-
ceedings OF Saturday, adding:
-The secret was admirably kept.
] hope all the secrets, so long as
they may rot be secrets, will be as
well kept"
@HistsEieaI Event.
Telling Of how he heard Secre-
tary Hughes proposals. Mr.. Bal
four said he suddenly realized he
was participating in "a great his
torical event.
When the speaker uttered the
memorable words that found an
echo in the civilized world. it ex-
cited profound surprise" The his
tory OF world reconstruction had
been worthily opened. he declared.
Many in my audience" he said,
"sre citizens of the United States.
The United States stands solidly
fmpregnable with the lines of its
communications protected, com
pletely protected, from any conceiv-
able hostile attack.
ut is not merely that you have
110,O00.000 people; il is not that |
you are the wealthiest nation. The !
geographical position OF your coun- |
try makes you wholly immune from |
the perils to which the British en- |
pire is subjected.
States British Position.
Suppose you western states |
were suddenly removed 10000 miles !
across the sea; suppose you found
that the heart of your country was |
q small and crowded island depend /
Ing on overseas trade, depending on
overseas communication for raw
materials. Suppose your popula-
ton never had more than seven
weeks food and that this had to be !
replenished from overseas.
Then you will understand why
1t is that every citizen OF the Brit
1sh empire, no matter where he
lives, never can forget that it is by
sea communication that he lives,
and that without it, he cannot live"
Mr. Balfour said he did not want |
the audience to suppose that he was
"lamenting over the weakness of !
my country.
Far from it." he exclaimed with
emphasis. We are strong in hope
and in the ardent patriotism that
binds us together. But this strate-
gfc weakness, obscure TO everyone
who reflects, is known to our en-
emies. Then do not let 1t be for
gotten by our friends
~AgTee in Principle.
These references | have indulg-
ed in to explain why l am address |
ing you. We have considered the
great scheme laid before you by /
cur chairman. We have considered |
It with admiration and approval. I
We agree with it in spirit and in /
principle. We look to it as being
the basis of the greatest reform in
the matter OF armament and prep
arat.cn for war that has ever been
conceived or carried out
I don't pretend, of course, that
this or any other scheme can deal
with every subject. AS was most
clearly explained by the secretary
Of state the scheme deals. and
deals only, with the three nations
which own the largest fleets at
present in the world II therefore
Of necessity nmifs al cnnrtanrn4i