The Columbus dispatch. (Columbus, Miss.) 19??-1922, 1921-02-20

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has studied the estimates for 1920
las deduced the fact that if Congress
appropriates in proportion to the es-
Inmates rendered, 50 per cent of our
income would still go for war in 10.
when a peace time financial basis
shall have been restored, and that
the current support of the armies
and navies would amount to 38 per
cent (ncluded, Of course, in the total
of 50 per cent for war mentioned
above) as opposed to % per cent for
the same purpose in 1920. Meantime
the constructive activities of the gov
eminent must continue to be starved.
/ Representative Mondell rightly de-
clares that we will never be able to
make adequate appropriations for these
purposes unless we reduce the enor-
nous total of the appropriations
carried in the Army and Navy bills"
Is it not inconceivable that a country
welded to the democratic ideal
should expend ninty-three times as
much for war as it does for educa-
ton?
The Republican party, so soon to
be in control of both branches of the
government, is pledged, or you might
almost say consecrated to economy.
That was one of the things their
spokesmen promiseo the country i
the party was victorious at the polls
last Fall, and some of the party lead
ers are now concerned with how to
carry out their pledge. They cannot
begin with the Civil Departments of
the Government in the economy pro-
gram, for they are only meagerly sup
ported at best. They cannot econo-
mize on the appropriation for educa-
ton, for that is negligible amount
anyway; indeed, education stands in
the position Of beggar who gets only
the crumbs that fall from the rich
mans table. Nor can there be any
appreciable reduction in the amount
appropriated for past wars, since
the honor and credit of the nation is
involved. The government must meet
its obligations; it cannot afford to
repudate its debts. The only point,
therefore, at which there can be ans
economy is the current support of the
Army and Navy. This would in
volve a cessation of the naval build
ing program, and the curtailment of
the army and navy. But there cannot
be this cessation of naval building
and this curtailment of army and
navy dnlistments on the part of our
nation alone. 1t must come, if it
ever comes, by international agree
ment, and by a concerted action on
the part of all of the great powers.
the governmental economists, there
fore, are led ultimately to the ques-
ton of international disarmament, as
only as that is achieved can there
be any considerable reduction in gov-
detrimental expense. ..4.sss4tas.. 4.sss
Congressional leaders have devised
several disarmament proposals. Our
nation having withheld itself from
participation in the League of Natl
ons discussion Of disarmament certain
of our Solons feel that some move
on our part IN now necessary. Sena-
tor Borah proposes therefore, that
America, Japan and England reduce
the program of increasing Ct naval
ornaments so per centum of the es-
innate for the next five years. This
would be effective, of course, as re
CARDS the three greatest naval powers
Senator Walsh has introduced reso-
luton asking that the President be
empowered and instructed to send a
representative to confer with the
Disarmament Commission Of the Lea
que of Nations. A third proposal
comes from Representative Brooks,
Of Illinois, whose plan is that the
President invite the governments of
all nations to send accredited repres-
entatves to an international con-
gress or convention to be held in the
u. S. to consider ways and means of
bringing about joint disarmament. 1t
is not likely that any action will be
taken by our government until the
new administration is in power, but
the American people have a right to
expect of it the utmost effort in be-
half of disarmament, both as a means
of economy in governmental expense
and as a guarantee of international
peace.
1t is to be hoped that the incoming
administration will achieve some few
things which Mr.. Wilson tried to
achieve, and would have succeeded in
achieving but for the opposition of