The Washington herald., 1921-10-09

II mas Deen pefcepuble IN the view al the ofhcia
world toward the forthcoming conference, or.
more exactly. in the estimate OF the European
opinion to this International gathering At last il
Is beginning 10 be appreciated that far from die
tatng the terms Of international agreement to
willing and waiting world the Washington confer
and the American representation therein are GO
ing OF face all the old difficulties of Paris plus those
which our attitude since Paris has raised.
In terms we calling conference to discuss
the question OF limitation Of armaments and the ad
iustment Of conflicting aspirations in the Pacific. But
as have frequently pointed out. the inclusion OF
question: of land well naval armament has pro-
duced complication which should have been fore
seen and yet is only appreciated when the atti-
tude Of France is made fairly unmistakable.
France has indicated that she is prepared to dis
the reduction of her armed forces on land pro-
vided only we are willing to give vitality to
: President Wilson's undertaking to send American
troops to the defense of French integrity If there
shall be another unprovoRed German attack. But if
we do not agree to such condition then France is
plainly of the discussion of reduction of land dis
armament. For cannot at time fatty refuse to
promise aid to country if she shall be attacked
she has been wantonly twice in the past half century,
and insist that this country shall take estimate,
unsupported by promise. Of aid, to the future
danger of invasion. 49, I.
And IL France declines TO reduce her land arma-
ment it. in fact France refuses to let be the judge
Of what is NECESSARY in the way of army for her
own defense obviously other European nation will
consent to change its program. Poland will agree to
disarm, rather reduce her armed forces precisely
as pledge division for division of own troops
10 make good the reduction in hers, if Bolshevism
comes west again or newly restored Russia under
takes to repeat the partitions of the eighteenth cen
tury. Rumania will make equally prompt agree
mcnt similar terms. s<s- <
nruT every man knows that the American dele
AJ gates cannot promise a platoon sof American:
troops for service in Europe or if they could make
such promise, Reputation by the Senate and the
country would be instant. The league Of nations has
tackled the problem and failed to find even form
ua although there is much vague talk about regional
As far as the limitation of land arm
aments are concerned there only two solutions,
the is to leave to the individual nation decide
what army is needed to answer its views as to its
own security. The other is the mutual guarantee of
the league of nations. which involves international
army, general staff, etc.
But laying aside the question Of the restriction of
land armament, which is hopeless at the moment and
in the existing situation In the world one passes to
that of naval strength That is comparatively easy
Japan Britain and the United States are ready to
agree limitation. There will be trouble grave
difficulty as between Japan and ourselves in finding
nation of strength. There will be trouble
given the lack Of confidence both sides of the Pa
chc in insurng mutual living up to the agreement in
the face of inevitable alarms and suspicious Yet
this is not impossible.
When, however. one passes from proposal Of
the limitation of naval strength to the Japanese sug-
gestion Of the demolition of all forti6cations in the
Pacific, it is clear that trouble is inevitable Are we
ready to scrap Notifications in Hawaii and in the
Philippines which we have expended large
in recent years? Would the elimination of these for
t6cations place us equal unequal foot
ing of preparation with the Japanesef~ These are
questions which would be much debated
M Then Japan is as likely not to sqare-
y the question of racial equality After all in this
aspect OF the relations between the countries the
Japanese have basis for complaint If the objective
Of the conference is international friendship,