Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1921-11-19

Had the conference been held in
Paris or London, the opening would
have been vastly different. European
diplomatic conferences never begin By
going straight to the subject in hand
The procedure of the old diplomacy il
first to weave q veil Of mist and doub.,
to emphasize the difficulties and OBJ
scurities of problem to dampen the
hopeful ardor Of the people, to per-
suade them not to expect too much
and finally to be content with nothing
at all
Secretary Hughes, like President
Wilson, steps boldly forth on his best
foot. Europe Is sehesring fsf him. Its
admiration il more cerebral than the
sentimental sympathy it expresstd for
Wilson. Hughes does not inspire VI
. sions of terrestrial paradise. But he
does install confidence In immediate
and practical reforms.
Hughes Next Surprise Awaited
Needless to say. naval disarmament
does not concern the European conti-
nent Immediately or practically. No
continental power has considerable
navy. 1t may save America, Japan
and England millions in taxes, but it
won't relieve Europe's suffering.
Therefore, MIR. Hughes next surprise,
if he has one, is eagerly awaited. Eu-
rope today is longing for two things-
relief from the constant threat Of war
and revival of trade.
1t is already apparent to economists
that the two are dependent. Without
sufficient trade to go around, the ma
tions are grasping for monopolies anA
building Chinese walls around tho frag-i
ment of their commerce, sitting it in
the very act of trying to preserve it
from foreign attack. Sooner or later.
these Chinese walls must be defended
with guns.
Until there is trade enough for ali,
the best qualified authorities admit
that this condition must persist but
who can supply this trade? Obviously
only America.
That is why Europe will consider
that Secretary Hughes would be max
ing grave mistake if he leaves the
initiative on land armaments to be
taken by European nations. The great
stumbling block in the way of limitation
of arms on land (which means, Of
course, the limitation Of the French
army is Frances demand for guaran-
tees and security, as every word pro-
nouneed by French statesmen and the
French p.s press c,;as3 indicates Security
Reputation OF the indemnity clauses
of Versailles.
French Want Military Guarsmtsss
The kind of guarantees demanded BY
the French statesmen are purely mik-
tary and political. Hope Of American
ratification of military alliance with
France has vanished, but il its place.
there is suggestion for an implied
alliance based on disarmament
agreement. Such solution is mere
change of form but not of substance.
1t may satisfy the politicians. but it
will not make one blade Of commercial
grow where none grows
now. 1t would be thoroughly routine
diplomatic solution and in the eyes of
those who look to America for an in
noyation it fails to satisfy. Europe
really is expecting Of Chairman Hughes
a new kind OF guarantee Of European
security. -
The main cause Of complaint about
present peace is that it is too costls.
Sooner or later everybody must ask
# war was not cheaper than peace.
This question. indeed. already is being
asked constantly in various FORMS.
French logic sees the only answer
in making peace so profitable that war
no longer will be considered. But
this depends upon America, which con-
trolls credit-the seed corn Of trade.
Europeans say unlock the storehouse
of this seed corn and peace will be
sown throughout the world.
The encouraging thing as enlightened
Frenchmen see it consists Of BRANDS
speech before he sailed for America,
in which he plainly showed comprehen-
sion of this formula. But he cannot
propose 1t. for it touches the (o91on
Of international debts and delica1 ose-
bids.
COAL MINER SENT
70 INSANE HOSPITAL