Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-11-15

suddenly removed 10000 miles across
the sea: suppose you found that the
heart, of your country was a. aNsmall
and crowded is,and depending on ov-
aerseas trade. depending q, j, oYesesseas
for .SitaW 81 materials.
Suppose your population never had
more than seven weeks food and that
this had to be replenished from over
seas. -.
Then you will understand it is that
teVery citizen Of the British empire,
no matter where he lives, never can
forget that it is by sea communica-
ton 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 I'VE are strong in hope
and in the ardent patriotism that
binds US together. But this strategic
weakness, obvious to every one who
reflects, is known to our enemies.
Then do not let it be forgotten by our
friends.
These references, I have indulged
in to explain why l am addressing
you. We have considered the great
scheme laid before you by our chair
man. We have considered it with ad-
miration and approval. 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 ar
mament and preparation for war that
has ever been conceived or carried
| out.
Deals With Big Fleets.
IT don't pretend, Of course, that
this or any other scheme can deal
with every subject. AS was most
| t>-, -,
state, the scheme deals and deals only
with the three nations which own the
' largest fleets at present in the world.
1t therefore. of necessity. omits all
consideration for the time being, of
the European nations who have ii-
minished their f'eets and have at
present no desire, and I hope never
will have a desire, to possess fleets
beyond the necessities that national
honor and national defense require.
i 1t does not touch the heavy burden
of land armaments. What it does
do is one of the biggest things that
has ever yet been dcnc by construc-
tive statesmanship. 1t does deal with
the three great fleets of the world
and with the proportion of disarma-
ment which it lays down for those
fleets.
Secs Acceptance.
|
said Mr.. Ba1four, I'VE think the prop
ositions between the various countries
arc acceptable. We think the limita-
ton OF amounts is reasonable. We
think It should be accepted. We be-
lieve thoroughly it will be accepted. .
Mr.. Balfour suggested that the sub
marine tonnage might well be reduc-
ed and that possibly construction Of
large submarines should be prohibit
ed
MAIN STRUCTURE UNCHANGED
j, The suggestions for changes in
the proposals. Mr.. BAlfOur said
,,e ssd ga a2Raauss .ucsqe x9T NOT pxoposea saest
by the United States, which, he
!, said, he believed would be accept
ed. 4,
When Mr.. Balfour promised ths
full. loyal and complete co-opera.
ron" OF the British nation toward the
rose and appiapded for a half minute
At first glance, ,, said Mr.. Balfour
"our experts think that too large al
amount OF tonnage has been permit
ted for submarines They are th'
most abused agency Of the war. TIL,
submarine is q defensive weapon O.
1.-The weak. It might be desirable t,
abolish the submarine altogether.
Our experts believe that the sub
marine tonnage proposed is far in ex
cess Of that possessed by any nation
Only Suggestion.
IT only threw this out as sugges
! further limited. 1t might be practica
. BILE or desirable to forbid altogether
2 those submarines Of vast great sizs