Great Falls tribune., 1921-08-11

washington, ID. c., August 6.-Some
time this year probably on November
IL, the anniversary Of the signing OF
the armlstice, the great powers OF the
world will confer in Washington to see
If it is possible for them to put an
end to the squandering of money for
building up huge armies and nayies for
protection against each other, or for
aggression against their neighbors.
Boiled down to it's essentials, the con-
ference will determine whether the
peoples OF the world, burdened and
grooming under the debt of the great
war, with industries slowed down or
stopped, credit strained and money val
ues far below par, will live together in
amlty henceforth or whether the old
systems of diplomatic intrigues, al
liances, large standing armies, enor-
nous armies, enormous navies. and con-
sequently tremendous expenditures and
taxes will 60 on until civilization ends
IN bankruptcy and chaos.
1t IS generally conceded that Presi-
dent Harding chose the psychological
time for proposing the disarmament
conference. The nations of Europe,
and Japan, the one big power of the
east. would have paid scant attention
at any other time. But England, and
France, and other European nations
are staggering under enormous debts.
unable to pay even the interest on their
foreign obligations, and public opinion
as well as common business sense force
their attention. Japan is in far better
economical condition, her losses during
the war being not drop in the bucket
compared to the men, munitions, and
money thrown into the ravenous jaws
nF fhr 49, L. l. Al,
enemies of the Central Powers. Jap
ans acquiescence followed the realiza-
ton that world opinion would single her
out as the one obstructing power bent
on conquest and expansion by force of
arms.
The attention of the public is now
turning toward whether the trained
diplomats of other lands are to use
their cunning and devious methods in
Washington, as they did at Versailles
to give the appearance of striving hard
to reach basis Of peaceful settlement
of all international troubles, but at the
same time reserving and holding special
advantages for their nations which
would in effect nullify the whole
plan.
Peace Treaty Intrigue.
1t is no secret now how the League
of Nations plan crumpled and collapsed.
Former President Wilson. his mind set
on the acceptance of his scheme, was
played upon by the premiers of Europe
and Japan until to get their support
concessions had to be made to each
of them. Great Britain demanded sep
arate representation for each of her
overseas dominons. and got that as well
as other advantages France showed
what she really thought of the League
plan by insisting on the acceptance of
an alliance with Great Britain and the
United States in addition to member
ship in the League as protection in the
future against Germany. Japan de-
manded and got the Shantung settle
ment as her price.
The whisperings and underground
rustlings of diplomatic intrigue can al
ready be discerned although the con-
terence is far away. 1t is reported
that Secretary of State Hughes has
found it necessary TO address an in
formal but strongly worded mem oran-
dunn to the embassy of one of the big
powers warning it that bargains and
trades and sub rosa work is not to
be tolerated
President Harding has set his hand
to the plough in this task, and has
given public utterance to his
intention to see it through. Without
doubt Secretary Hughes, well equipped
for the task, will be the spokesman
and representative Of the American