The Washington herald., 1921-10-09

III SiNNp VI hulllDSI Vi DC
flicted with an ENHANCEMENT complex, "
laid either by the ratification or the refusal
the separate treaties or by the conference G
the limitation OF armamcnts, which was d.
signed to accomplish what the league h;
failed to accomplish towards the preventic
tain OF the most powerful nations, particular
France and Great Britain, have come to II
conclusion that even should the Washingtc
conference result in an agreement among Il
chief military powers on disarmament, Il
danger of war would by no means be r.
moved so long as many Of the smaller stat'
persist in maintaining armed forces out of a
proportion to their size. Great nations as
rule are somewhat more cautious about ei
gaging in war than small powers, but a W:
between small countries is likely eventual
to involve some at least Of the great power
The only agency by which universal disarm;
ment may be accomplished is the league, and Il
question will therefore, be put to the Unite
States whether it is ready to cooperate wit
league, either as a member or in some othc
relation which would make this cooperate
possible.
During the sessions OF the assembly tn
that they consider the great powers respons
bic for the failure OF the leagues efforts
the direction of disarmament. Lord Robe,
Cecil, speaking for South Africa and indrectl
for the small states of the world, demande
that France, Great Britain, Japan, and ltal
should either cease to oppose the disarmamer
proposals which have been made or make
posals OF their own which they were willing
out The great powers defended their tahu
on the ground that so long as America Il
and most powerful country OF the world,
bound by any agreement which the natioi
league might make. no such agreement coul
sidered This explanation has been accepted v
yations, and the small nations are now wati
revealed at the Washington conference just
cere the great powers really are.
Another consideration which will brini
question of the league at Washington and til
toward it which this country will ultimatel!
the future of the entente. The real power in
anatrS rcSiQeS, OF course, WIFI thC PihNiPs
which were allied against the central empir
war. This power is exercised either thr
supreme council, the council OF ambassado
some cases through the representatives OF tn
on the council Of the league But as time go
binding force of the entente weakens. d.
past year there have been numerous occasi
the entente seemed on the point Of dissolutiC
the necessity of carrying on international alta
have come out of the war and the peace tr,
kept the ALLIANCE intact. The danger Of rupt
no means past, but on the contrary will in
time goes on. Neither France nor Englar
to have break occur which would leave Eur
out an international force to deal with the inI
problems which arise, and which would be r
for the execution of the peace treaties The
which is available for this duty is the le
so long as the United States and Germany re
side the league, it is but little more than a S
the supreme council and like it is dominate
entente powers. The adherence of the Unit
to the league would give it unquestonably g
thority, and by virtue Of the fact that Amer
vitality concerned in many of the problems o
the league strengthened by America and
Germany would become a real internationa
ton, capable of dealing with the problems wi
be met What Europe and the world needs